The Dalton ranch was known for its cutting horses. The upcoming sale would draw ranchers from several states, all seeking a chance to bid on the well-trained ponies. Amelia knew Zack and his twin brothers, Trevor and Travis, were instrumental in that expert training and that sale attendance was by invitation only, a sort of black-tie affair among ranchers, only they wore boots and ten-gallon hats as their formal attire.
“You’ve never been to a sale, have you?” Seth asked.
Amelia shook her head.
“You’ll have to spend the weekend with us at the ranch. There’ll be games like horseshoes, plus roping, a shooting competition and the cutting horse trials. I personally enjoy the spitting contest the most, although Trevor is the best and always wins.”
The three men laughed, while the women looked dubious.
“When is Trevor due back from the rodeo circuit?” Seth continued. “He’s been gone longer than usual.”
“He called last night,” Zack replied. “He stove in a rib, so he’s going to a stock sale in Texas, then will come on home after that.”
They discussed changes to the beef herd and the problems of ranching, then of business in general, given the economic difficulties of the times.
Later, after the two couples left, Amelia yawned and stared dreamily into the fire. It had been a wonderful evening. Once upon a time she’d imagined life could be like that—
“Here,” Seth said.
She took two pills from him and a glass of water. “What are they?”
“Painkillers. Beau left them for you.”
She took them gratefully. “Was I groaning or something, so that everyone knew my ankle was hurting?”
“No, but you became more and more silent. I figured that was a good indication. Not that you tend to chatter at any time,” he added.
She wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or not, so she simply nodded, took another drink of water and carefully stood. Checking the clock, she was surprised to find it was well after ten.
“My, how time flies,” she murmured.
“Where are you going?” he demanded.
“To bed.”
He nodded and hoisted her off her feet.
“You can’t carry me everywhere,” she protested. “I can manage. I need to go to the, uh—”
“The bathroom?” he finished for her.
She nodded.
He deposited her at the door and closed it. She brushed her teeth and washed her face, then rubbed lotion on. Her good leg was starting to ache from keeping all her weight on it each time she hopped to the phone or bathroom or whatever when Seth wasn’t looking.
She sighed, thinking of the work ahead. Seth couldn’t be there every minute until she healed. She would have to cope as best she could.
A knock at the door startled her. “Yes?”
“Here’s your gown and robe.”
The door was opened a crack and the items thrust inside. She took them and quickly changed, folding her clothing neatly, with her underwear inside. She opened the door and peered out as if afraid of being attacked by wolves. Before she could take a step, he lifted her off her feet and placed her on the bed, which had the covers turned back, all ready for occupancy. He laid her clothing on a chair and turned back to her.
She swallowed hard as an ache of a different kind started inside her. Keeping her eyes averted from his face, so close to hers as he tucked her legs under the covers, she wished they were lovers and that he would be getting into bed with her, that he’d hold her close all night and make the pain go away with his sweet, hot kisses…
Forget it, she ordered her wild imagination. Forget that he’d ever held her and kissed her as if the world might end before he ever saw her again.
For her, it had. She’d been called home the next day. Her parents had actually divorced that winter, and her mother had decided she needed her daughter around for support. For all her parents’ quarrels, Amelia had never thought it would come to that.
Oddly, her mom and dad had then got back together that spring. Amelia had returned to her grandparents while they honeymooned. All had been sweetness and light during the summer. Then they’d had another quarrel. That fall, she’d again moved in with her grandparents while she finished her senior year at high school.
Seth hadn’t contacted her when he was home from the university. Not that she’d expected him to. A vagabond kid wasn’t exactly a reliable companion.
“Good night,” he told her now, interrupting the memories by helping her out of her robe and laying it aside. He glanced around to see that she had everything she needed, then nodded and left.
She lay there with the lamp on for a while and listened as the wind blew mournfully from He-Devil Mountain. For the first time in seven years, she felt adrift. Her foot throbbed like a toothache, and she was filled with restless needs she tried to ignore.
From the next room, she heard the soft noises as Seth prepared the sofa bed.
Where can we go? he’d asked on a magic night long ago.
The carriage house, she’d answered, ready to follow him anywhere.
She wished they could go back to that night, to the innocence and heart-tugging sweetness of it, when she’d first realized the power and joy of falling in love…. That first sweet, glorious love…
Ah, well, she thought, consoling her heart with the knowledge that what had to be, must be. She flicked off the light and determinedly closed her eyes.
Sunday was a repeat of Saturday. Seth took care of keeping the buffet supplied. By eleven, all the guests were gone. “What now?” he asked.
“That’s it,” Amelia told him, ready with a bright smile. “I don’t have anyone coming in until Thursday, so there’s nothing that has to be done until then. Thanks so much for your help. I really appreciated it.”
One black, expressive eyebrow lifted in its usual sardonic manner. “You trying to run me off?” he demanded.
“Well, I’m sure you want to visit your uncle before you return to the city.”
“Yeah, I do need to see him. Uncle Nick fixes a great Sunday lunch. We’ll go out there.”
“Uh, not me. I prefer to stay here.”
“Then I’ll stay, too.”
This wasn’t going as she’d planned. He was supposed to accept her thanks, then gratefully leave, knowing he’d done his best for her. “When are you returning to Boise?”
He crossed his arms and studied her for a few seconds. “I’ve arranged for my partner to handle those clients I couldn’t reach yesterday. Otherwise, I’ve canceled my appointments and plan to spend the week here.”
She was appalled. “Oh, no. You shouldn’t have done that. You don’t have to take care of me. Really.”
“Who else is going to?”
No answer came to mind. She hadn’t prepared for a grilling or his determination to stay. Neither did she want to face another night with him in her sitting room. It was just…just too much.
“I’ll be okay,” she insisted.
“We’ll see how you are tomorrow, then decide if you can be on your own.”
At his reasonable tone and resolute stance, she knew it was hopeless to argue—he’d made up his mind. But inside, she seethed with anger at his high-handed I-have-everything-under-control