Forcing his thoughts back to the moment, he touched a hand to her shoulder and urged her forward. I see Jake. Lets go catch up with him.
At the end of the building, a young man wearing a black cowboy hat and ranch gear was applying neats-foot oil to a fancy tooled saddle. The moment he saw their approach, he laid the oily rag to one side and stepped up to meet them.
I was about to come to the house to make sure you werent bleeding to death, he said to Quint, while his gaze strayed curiously over to Maura.
Im fine, Quint replied. It just so happens that Maura is a nurse. She was kind enough to bandage me up.
A wry grin crossed the mans face. Now isnt that something? A beautiful woman comes to your house and shes a nursejust when you need one. You always were a lucky dog, Quint.
Quint couldnt see where slicing his arm open was lucky, but apparently Jake considered having Maura as a nurse more than fortunate. The idea grated on Quint to no end. Which was a ridiculous reaction. She wasnt anything to him. If Jake, or any man, wanted to make a play for her, then that was their business, not his.
Maura, this is my good friend and ranch hand, Jake Rollins. Jake, this is Maura Donovan. Shes my grandfathers personal nurse.
Ignoring the last tidbit, the dark-haired man reached to take Mauras hand. Are you by any chance related to Liam Donovan? he asked.
She smiled at Jake and Quint had to fight the urge to jerk her away from the other man and usher her back outside where the two of them would be alone, where her smiles would be directed only at him.
What the hell was coming over him? Quint wondered with self-disgust. Instead of worrying about his grandfather, he needed to be concerned about his own reaction to this woman. He was behaving like a moony bull turned loose in a herd of cows.
Hes my brother, Maura said.
I know him from working the barns at Ruidoso Downs, Jake informed her. Nice guy. Heck of a trainer, too. No one told me that he had a beautiful sister.
Quint made a loud display of clearing his throat. Youd better finish that saddle, Jake. In a few minutes, weve got to get back on that wire stretcher.
The other man cast him a look of faint surprise, then reluctantly dropped Mauras hand. Maybe youd better keep Maura around. Just in case one of us gets hurt again, he joked. Next time it might be me who needs her touch.
Keep it up, Jake, and Ill make sure you get tangled up in barbed wire, Quint muttered, then carefully steered Maura away from the ranch hand and out a back door.
Once they were well away from the barn, Maura asked, Have you two known each other long?
Quint grimaced. Since kindergarten. We grew up together. Hes like a brother. Thats why I put up with his big mouth.
Smiling, Maura shrugged. I didnt pay him any mind. He was only joking.
Dont bet on it. Jake loves women. Always has.
They were walking toward a long corral built of rough cedar boards. Attached to one end were several smaller pens with separate gates leading to the outside. Like the barn, the riding arena would have taken lots of time and effort to build. And as Maura looked around her, she could plainly see that Quint was far from the idle sort. He obviously worked hard for everything he had and she admired him greatly for that. Especially when she knew he loved what he was doing.
Gilbert, her ex-husband, had been a pharmaceutical representative and his job was to sell medical products to doctors in private practices, health clinics and hospitals. There was nothing physical about the job. Hed used his mouth and a pen. Two things he was good at. Especially the mouth, she thought grimly. He could sweet-talk a rabid dog into lying down and wagging his tail.
Thanks to his glib tongue, everyone had liked Gil and for several years running, hed been top salesperson for his company. And that same gift of gab had made him very attractive to women, including Maura. In the beginning of their marriage his sweet talk had sustained and convinced her of his love. Then later, when things between them had grown difficult and doubts of his sincerity had haunted her, that same sweet, persuasive talk had kept her clinging to a man who was incapable of changing.
Yes, she knew all about flirts and all about trying to keep a man at her side. The first had fooled her into thinking she could succeed at the second. And in the end, her five-year marriage had crumbled along with her self-worth.
Shaking away the humiliating thoughts, Maura leaned a shoulder against the board fence and gazed back at the simple stucco house. What would it be like, she wondered, to live in such a simple place? With Quint Cantrell? He wasnt a wanderer. Apparently he was a homebody, choosing to make his livelihood, his future, with the land. But it didnt appear that he was a family man. Or maybe he was and just keeping those plans hidden, she silently mused.
Youre going to have a fine place to raise a family here someday, Quint.
His features stiffened. Itll raise cattle and horses. As for a familyIm not looking for a woman or family right now, he said flatly. And Im sure not holding my breath until that day.
Seeing that her comment had rubbed him the wrong way, she pushed away from the fence. Well, thanks for the tour, Quint. I enjoyed it. But Id better be heading back. Its not exactly a short drive back to Apache Wells.
She started walking back in the direction of the house and her parked truck. Quint followed alongside her.
Gramps rarely leaves Apache Wells. Maybe you can talk him into coming over here and taking a look at all the work weve finished. If that doesnt interest him, then maybe visiting the old mine might budge him.
Just from his words, Maura could see that having his grandfathers admiration meant a lot to him. But what else really mattered to this man? If there was no special woman, no children to be had in his dreams, then what was the Golden Spur going to mean to him? Other than just a place to hang his hat?
At least the man has a future planned for himself, Maura. You have nothing on your agenda, except taking care of an old cantankerous man who could buy a dozen nurses like yourself.
Shoving away the mocking voice in her head, she said to Quint, Ill see what I can do about getting him to come for a visit. But Im sure I dont have to tell you that your grandfather does what he wants. Not what others would like for him to do.
No. You dont have to tell me that.
As they walked the remaining distance to the house, Quint realized he couldnt keep his eyes off the woman. Her white shirt was sheer enough for him to see the imprint of her bra, the pattern of feminine lace covering her breasts.
She was not a small woman and he could tell by the silhouette of her curves that one breast would be more than enough to fill his hand, his mouth. The idea caused desire to flicker in some part of him that hed long ago crossed off as dead. And he could only wonder what it was about her that had suddenly stirred him like this.
Since Holly had removed herself from his life, and hed gotten burned by some superficial gold diggers, sex had become casual, something to forget afterward. And down through the years hed pushed so hard and so long that hed felt positive hed never want another woman in his lifetime.
So why had Maura Donovan come along and reminded him that he was still a man? Lord, he didnt know the answer. But now that she had, he was going to have to deal with her and himself in a smart and practical way.
So why had Maura Donovan come along and reminded him that he was still a man? Lord, he didnt know the answer. But now that she had, he was going to have to deal with her and himself in a smart and practical way.
At the truck, Quint opened the drivers door and helped her up into the cab. She smiled down at him and he felt his practicality fly off with the dusty wind.
Thank you for taking care of my cut, he said.
Youre welcome. Although, I wish you would consider going to a doctor. With a stitch or two, you would heal even quicker. And depending on how long its been since youve had one, you might need a tetanus shot.
His lips took on a wry slant. If I ran into town and got a tetanus shot every time I cut or punctured myself, Id need a new set of tires every few weeks. Not to mention my body would look like a pincushion, he said, then added in a more serious tone, But I promise I had a booster a little while ago.
Her smile turned to one of patient resignation. Okay, I guess I trust you to take care of yourself. She turned her attention to starting the engine, then glanced back at him. Goodbye, Quint.
He lifted a hand in farewell and she quickly backed away from him, then headed the nose of her truck down the rocky drive.
The urge to watch her drive away clawed at Quint, but he forced himself to turn in the direction of the barn. Her unexpected visit was over, he told himself. More than likely she wouldnt return to the Golden Spur. And that was for the best.
The Diamond D thoroughbred ranch was located in a stretch of valley known as the Hondo Valley, a rich, fertile area where ranchers raised cattle and horses, and farmers tended acres of fruit orchards. To the north and south of the Donovan ranch house, desert mountains jutted starkly toward the sky, while in-between, irrigated meadows grew seas of knee-deep grass. The three-mile graveled track leading to the house split through one of those lush meadows and Maura drove slowly as she watched a herd of mares frolic with their colts behind a white board fence. Closer to the road, tall Lombardy poplars edged the long drive and towered like green spires into a sky as blue as Quint Cantrells eyes.
A rueful grimace touched Mauras mouth as she steered her truck to a stop in front of the huge house built of native rock trimmed with rough cedar. Shed driven to the Diamond D this afternoon for a quick hello to her parents, whom shed not seen in several weeks. This was hardly the time to be thinking about the young rancher with sky-blue eyes. In fact, no time was a good time to let her mind dwell on the man, Maura told herself. But for the past three days, since shed visited his ranch, daydreaming about Abes grandson was all that she seemed to be doing.
After letting herself in, Maura passed through a long foyer and was entering a formal great room, when Regina, a tall, middle-aged woman with short, brown hair, appeared through an open doorway.
The woman spotted her immediately and gave her a little wave. Well, look whos here! Are you lost or something?
Chuckling, Maura hurried across the room to kiss the womans cheek. For the past twenty years Regina had worked as a maid for the family. To the Donovans she was as much a part of the family as the six children were.
I had a few chores to do in town, Maura explained. So I thought Id drive out and let everyone know Im still alive. Are my parents home? And Grandmother?
Reggie snagged a hold on Mauras shoulder and turned her toward the rear section of the house. Fionas here. But Doyle drove your grandmother to Ruidoso for a visit with the dentist.
Oh, shoot, Maura practically wailed, then sighed with resignation. I should have called beforehand.
Reggie said, Well, the dentist visit was unexpected. Kate bit down on a piece of hard candy and chipped a tooth. Doyle practically twisted his mothers arm to make her go have it examined.
At age eighty-three, Kate Donovan was still in great health and just independent enough to think she didnt need anyone taking care of her. Maura had always admired her grandmothers spunk, especially after Arthur, her husband and Mauras grandfather, died eight years ago. Since then Kate hadnt waned or whined. Shed continued to have an input into the ranch her husband had founded more than forty years ago.
By now Maura and the maid had reached a point in the hallway where a wide opening led into a huge family room. With a flick of her hand, Reggie gestured toward the opening.
Fiona is still in there, I think. Would you like me to bring in some fresh coffee, Maura? And I think Opal did some baking.
Maura smiled gratefully at the woman. Youre wonderful, Reggie. That would be great.
Moments later, as Maura stepped into the long room, she spotted her mother sitting at a small desk. Even from several feet away, Fionas beauty radiated like a full bloomed rose. Her hair, threaded with silver, was still mostly black and wrapped in an elegant chignon at the back of her neck. A pair of dark slacks and pale pink blouse enhanced her slender figure.
Maura couldnt imagine looking so wonderful at fifty-nine years of age, especially after giving birth to six children and raising them to adulthood. But then Maura couldnt imagine herself with even one child. To have a family, she first needed a man. And after being so careful and turning down dates in her twenties, shed done a miserable job when shed chosen Gil.
Fiona must have heard her footsteps on the tile because she suddenly looked up from her work.
Maura! Darling!
The other woman put the ledger aside and rose to her feet. Maura hurried toward her mothers outstretched arms. After a brief hug, Fiona stepped back and gave her daughter a thorough glance. My gracious! You look so rested and pretty! And that dressIve never seen you wear anything like it.
For the first time in ages, Maura had felt a bit daring this morning. Instead of her usual jeans and blouse, shed pulled a halter-styled sundress from her closet. The flowery fabric exposed Mauras back and arms and revealed a hint of cleavage. No doubt her mother was wondering about this new flirtatious image. Especially since Maura was considered the most reserved of the Donovan sisters and usually dressed the part.
Its very warm out today, she said in a dismissive way, then took her mother by the hand and drew her down on a long couch upholstered in red suede.
Your father and grandmother are at the dentists office, Fiona explained. They should be back well before dinner. Do you plan to stay?
Having dinner with her big, boisterous family was probably just the thing Maura needed to get Quint Cantrell from her mind. But Abe would be looking for her to return soon and though he didnt demand her company every minute of the night and day, she wanted to get back to Apache Wells before a late hour.
Not tonight, Mother. Abe will be expecting me.
Fiona grimaced. You told me the man wasnt that ill. Surely you could be away for one evening, she argued. Arent there other people on the ranch who could watch out for him?
Maura bit back a sigh. She wasnt in the mood to defend her job to her mother. She didnt want to have to explain to Fiona that her fondness for Abe was only part of the reason shed chosen to live and work on Apache Wells. The problems shed endured at the hospital with Dr. Weston were something shed only shared with her sister Bridget. And shed only discussed the matter with her because Bridget was a doctor and understood the nuances of medical life.