When the Rancher Came to Town by Emma Cane

Author:Emma Cane
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2014-08-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

THOUGH MASON SLEPT in his own room, he dreamed of Amanda, her lush body, her uninhibitedness, her unselfishness in bed—­and everywhere. He’d never met anyone like her. She’d been betrayed by a man, yet she’d been willing to give herself to Mason. She’d started her life over again, when many ­people might have given up, or at least settled for whatever wouldn’t hurt them. He admired her, he desired her—­could he fall in love with her? So quickly? Once he would have scoffed at “love at first sight,” but he’d been drawn to her from the moment he’d heard her voice, let alone seen her. And though she’d wanted to take things slowly with him, she’d been unable to control the passion they inspired in each other.

As he showered and dressed, he thought about her and mused how he’d have to wait until weekends to date her—­and wasn’t sure he could go days between. He really had it bad.

Eager as a boy, he entered her dining room, knowing the Sassafras Girls would probably sleep in, which would mean he’d have Amanda all to himself. He inhaled the scent of bacon appreciatively, and then she came through the swinging door from the kitchen.

Her smile made something bright bloom within his soul. He opened up his arms, and she came into them easily. His concern that she’d regret their evening together faded into dust. Just the press of her body along his felt right.

He kissed the top of her head. “Good morning. Sorry to get you up so early.”

“You forget you’re talking to a working girl—­oh wait, that sounded like I really do work at a brothel.”

He chuckled.

“There’s plenty of delicious food to fill you up. Now sit down and start eating. You need your energy to ride a bull!” She winced. “I’m already nervous for you.”

He waved her concern away. “I’m an old pro.”

“But your shoulder—­”

“Will be fine. So stop worrying. I’ll still be able to warm your bed tonight.”

She laughed and swung her hips as she went back into the kitchen. He sat down at the table and opened the Valentine Gazette. Below the fold, he saw the headline “Five-­Year Anniversary of Washington Sexual Harassment Scandal—­Are Women Any Safer in the Workplace?”

His smile died. He started reading, and when he saw Amanda’s legal name, Lauren Amanda Cramer, he groaned aloud.

“What is it?” Amanda asked with interest as she brought a hot plate in her mittened hand and set it before him. “The Gazette doesn’t usually inspire that much emotion.”

He held up the paper. “I assume you didn’t read this.”

“No time.”

“I think you’d better.”

Frowning, she took the paper from his hands, and when she saw the headline, her face paled. “Oh no,” she breathed.

He waited, saying nothing. She wouldn’t want to be humored or reassured. She sank into the chair next to him, and a few minutes later, she finished reading and let the paper sag as she stared at him. Though she was still pale, her eyes were dry, her expression sober.

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