The Cowgirl Meets Her Match (Elk Heights Ranch) by Kristin Vayden

Author:Kristin Vayden [Vayden, Kristin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2018-08-14T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Sterling could feel the tension radiating from Harper as they drove away from her home. The horse needed some time to relax after racing, so they’d headed to Harper’s place first, easing Spartan from the trailer. The horse barely gave a backward glance as Harper left the barn. Then they took a moment to disconnect the trailer, and all the while, Sterling could feel the tension crackling in the air around Harper.

She was questioning herself.

He didn’t blame her; he was questioning himself too.

Could he do this?

Not hurt her?

What was it that Laken had said? Communicate. Be up-front.

He could do that.

But damn, it was going to be hard to lay himself all out there.

Harper bit her lip as she drove down the gravel driveway and toward the main road.

“Okay, cowboy, where to?” she asked, regarding him.

Sterling shook his head. “Yeah, not a cowboy.”

“Fine, well, what rank were you?” she asked, curious.

“Captain,” he answered, the word creating a swirl of memories, many good, some painful, all of them nostalgic in a way that made him miss the Marine Corps so damn much.

“So, Captain,” she corrected, a grin teasing her full lips.

The sound of his rank on her lips was erotic as hell, and immediately sent fire through his blood. It was an involuntary reaction that had him quickly finding a way to control it.

“Retired, remember?” he answered, thankful for the out that would alleviate the pressing problem.

“You’re impossible. Fine. Dude, where to?” She rolled her eyes.

“That I can work with,” Sterling teased, thankful to have navigated the sudden minefield. “Let’s get something to eat, and then you can show me around Ellensburg.”

“Yay. I always wanted to be a tour guide.”

“Hey, you love it here, and it’s always better to hear about it from someone who loves whatever they’re describing,” Sterling replied.

“You’re right.” Harper sighed.

“Say that again?” Sterling goaded.

“I’m right,” Harper corrected, giving him a taunting glare.

“Sure, sure. Where do you recommend eating?” Sterling asked, scanning the terrain. His eyes cataloged the rough landscape, studying for exit routes and possible areas to take cover.

“Do you realize you’re always on alert?”

Harper’s voice startled him, and he glanced at her, slightly confused.

“You know, hyperaware of your surroundings, like Jason-Bourne-type stuff,” Harper commented, her gaze flickering to him for a moment before darting back to the road.

Sterling’s posture froze then he relaxed slowly. “It’s a habit, and yeah, I do it constantly. It doesn’t really have an off button.”

“It’s in your blood. I get that.” Harper glanced at him.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to step away from that part of myself,” Sterling replied, feeling the weight of his decision to leave the marines heavy on his shoulders.

“Why would you want to?” Harper asked, her tone curious. Her green eyes were piercing in their intensity as she studied him before flickering her gaze back to the road.

Sterling folded his hands, feeling the truth of his words before he even spoke them. “Because it’s not necessary. That’s not my life anymore.”

“So, that negates the fact that it’s a part of who you once were?” Harper challenged.

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