The Rancher Meets His Match by Patricia McLinn

Author:Patricia McLinn [McLinn, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1998-07-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

At the sight of Dax at the bottom of the steps outside her cabin Tuesday morning, Hannah stopped dead at the edge of the porch.

The cabin’s outer door slammed shut behind her, and she jumped. At least it got her moving again.

“Good morning, Dax.”

“Morning. Hope it’s not too early.”

“No. I was going—” She gestured toward the Westons’ kitchen door. “I’m sure Irene would love to give you some breakfast.”

“No. Thanks. I can’t stay. I wanted to catch you before you got tied up for the day. Are you okay? You sound kind of hoarse.”

Lack of sleep or reaction to seeing him? Neither alternative would she confide to him. “I’m fine. What is it, Dax?”

“I didn’t expect this to come up so soon.” He hooked his thumbs in his front pockets. He’d done that other times when he was uncomfortable, but she wished he’d break the habit. The pose unintentionally framed the region around his zipper—and that made her uncomfortable. “Will’s been assigned a school project and Theresa Wendlow’s his partner. He’s as skittery as a mother cat and thinks having you along would make things easier—for him.”

“On a school project?”

“Yeah. About the plants and animals and geology and history and such of different local areas. They got assigned a spot on the west side of the Big Horns, so I’m going to drive them over. So, would you like to go to Shell Canyon this afternoon?”

“Oh. I, uh—”

“It’s a nice drive. The canyon’s interesting and there’s a waterfall. It’s worth seeing. You can ask Cambria or Irene.”

“I’m sure it is. That’s not—” The issue. But did she really want to get into what the issue was? “This afternoon? But aren’t the kids in school?”

“I wouldn’t be telling you they’d be going if they were going to be in school. I’m not lying, Hannah.”

“I’m not saying—”

“It’s Shakespeare Days Week.’’

“Shakespeare Days Week?”

“Yeah. This weekend is Shakespeare Days—for the county, you know? Shakespeare County. Celebrating the early days of the county. There’s a rodeo, a parade, a sort of fair and lots of other things.”

“Oh, yes. Irene told me a little about it.”

“Lot of the stuff’s this weekend, but it starts during the week. When I was a kid the teachers used to keep us in class, but not a lot got done. Now they’ve decided, since it’s so early in the school year, they can cut the kids some slack. Take the younger ones on field trips about county history. Give the older ones special projects and let ’em loose early. We’ll drive to Shell Canyon, let them get what they need for their project, then go for supper at a little place over there. Should be back before ten.”

“I see.” She manufactured a bright smile. “Okay. I’d like to see Shell Canyon, thank you. I’ll be sure to bring my camera. Oh, and I’ll pay my own expenses.”

“No.” He should have been at a disadvantage, still having to tip his head back because he stood below her. But that no carried no doubt.

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