Surrendered (Intrique Under Western Skies Book 2) by Elaine Manders

Author:Elaine Manders [Manders, Elaine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Victorian Era, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Love Possibility, Hearts Desire, Western & Frontier Intrigue, Clean & Wholesome, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Beautiful & Feisty, Intrigue under Western Skies Series, Mystery & Suspense
Publisher: Elaine Manders
Published: 2016-12-27T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Rhyan threw his accountant’s report on his desk and hunched over to rub his eyes. Nothing was wrong with his eyesight. The figures didn’t change. He’d have to get Higgins to write for an extension—again.

He refused to dwell on business any more today. His mind searched for something more pleasant and didn’t have far to go. Carianne’s soft, yielding lips, tasting like heady nectar. The light, tantalizing smell of her perfume. Lilac, or was it honeysuckle? Reminiscent of a lazy summer afternoon. Her arms around him.

Until she’d pushed back.

He let head sag, reliving the moment. This way of thinking would take him to the edge of sanity. He had to put it all behind him so he could put some intelligent thought to the problems lying ahead.

Doubts bunched in his mind like so many cattle trying to get out of a shoot at the same time. How could he give her up? It wasn’t too late, even now. That last kiss may have earned him a slap, but she’d let her guard down. Her desire had matched his at the beginning of that soul wrenching kiss.

No, he’d already gone over this before and made his decision. He had to give up any foolish notion of getting her back. He’d only bring her more heartbreak. Colt was better for her. In time he’d be able to put her out of his mind.

He’d never found it hard to walk away from a woman before. This was different. Harder. He still loved her, but given enough time, even love would die a natural death.

Stiff muscles forced him up. He flexed his shoulders, glancing around the room, trying to remember what the house was like before Carianne first came here, and couldn’t. If he were in his right mind, he’d be able to find a solution to the ranch’s problems. He excelled in planning and strategizing. But what did it matter? Without Carianne, the future spread out cold and dreary.

A light cough brought him out of his reverie. Maria stood in the doorway. “A gentleman is here to see you…a Mr. Yardly.” The pinched look on the housekeeper’s face told Rhyan she knew he didn’t want to see Yardly.

He started to ask Maria to turn the man away, but he couldn’t leave Maria with his dirty work. “I’ll take care of it.” He passed her and made tracks to the foyer. No need to give Yardly the impression he’d be received. Rhyan knew what he wanted.

He opened the door and stepped out onto the portico, forcing Yardly to jump back. The man’s thin lips and uneven teeth showed between a carefully trimmed moustache and beard. An expensive, black tailored suit gave his slight frame an air of importance. He clutched a top hat to his chest in one hand and held out the other, which Rhyan ignored.

Yardly smiled. “I agree. No need to waste time with pleasantries.”

“What are you doing here?”

“A favor to you, Mr. Cason. I’m willing to overlook our past quarrels, even that time you forced me out at gunpoint to keep me from seeing your father.

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