He knew the sugar would be on the third shelf of the pantry, the milk in the door of the stainless-steel refrigerator and the coffee beans on the second shelf in the pantry next to the dining room. Hed kill for a cup of coffee, but there was no way he was making himself at home.
Mandy, on the other hand, seemed to feel completely at home. Shed perched herself on one of the high, black-cushioned chairs at the center island, one booted foot propped on the cross piece, one swinging in a small arc as she dialed her phone.
Are you here often? He couldnt help asking. He didnt remember anyone ever looking relaxed in this house.
She raised her phone to her ear and gave a small, wry smile. Only when your father was away. Reed and I used to drink cheap wine and play poker.
Just the two of you? Caleb arched a brow. He didnt yet have a handle on the relationship between his brother and Mandy.
She raked her loose hair back from her forehead. I told you I wasnt sleeping with him. She left a deliberate pause. When I stayed over, I slept in your bed. Oh, hey, Seth, she said into the phone.
Absurdly rattled by her taunt, Caleb withdrew into the living room to clear his head. This trip was not going even remotely as hed planned.
It was two hours to the Lyndon airport. He could drive there and fly back to Chicago tonight. Or he could get a hotel room in Lyndon. Or he could stay here and figure out what on earth to do next.
His gaze strayed to the staircase at the opposite end of the living room. His old bedroom was up there. Where, apparently, Mandy had been sleeping. Of course, she could have been lying about that, simply amusing herself by messing with his head.
Then again, even if she had slept in his bed, why should he care? He didnt. The woman could sleep wherever she wanted.
Her footfalls sounded on the kitchen tiles. Seconds later, she strode through the archway between the kitchen and the living room, tucking her phone into the front pocket of her jeans. Seths going to send a couple of hands.
Send them where?
She did a double take. Here, of course.
Why?
To help you out.
I didnt ask for help. Caleb didnt mean to sound ungrateful, but he didnt need Mandy waltzing in and making decisions for him. He didnt know what happened next, but he knew hed be the guy calling the shots.
She blinked. I know. I did it as a favor.
Next time, please ask permission.
You want me to ask for permission to do a favor?
I want you to ask permission to meddle in my business.
Meddling? You call lending you two highly qualified hands to take care of your ranch while we look for your brother meddling?
Caleb took in the determined tilt of her chin, the squared shoulders that said she was ready for a scrap and the animated flash in her jewel-bright eyes. He decided it wasnt the right time for a fight.
Next time, he told her more softly, please ask first.
I wouldnt worry about there being a next time.
Fine. No problem. Hed dealt with everything else in his life without help.
Hed find his brother. Hed find him fast and get his life back to normal.
He couldnt help thinking about how his financial lawyer, Danielle Marin, was going to react to him being stuck in Colorado.
Active Equipment was at a critical point in setting up a new division in South America. Danielle was wading her way through Brazils complicated banking and accounting regulations.
Mandy moved in closer. What are you going to do now?
Find Reed. And drag him home.
And in the meantime? The ranch? The animals?
Ill deal with it.
A mocking lilt came into Mandys voice. Sure would be nice if you had a little help.
Sure would be nice if you minded your own business.
Im only doing my duty as a neighbor.
Are you going for the good-neighbor merit badge?
She perked up. Theres a badge?
Were you always this much of a smart-ass?
You dont remember what I was like?
You were four grades behind me. I barely noticed you.
I thought you were hot.
Caleb went still.
Schoolgirl fantasy, Mandy finished smoothly. I didnt know your true character back then.
You dont know my true character now, he retorted.
But her words triggered some kind of hormonal reaction deep inside him. He thought she was hot, right here, right now, right this very minute. And that was a complication this situation definitely didnt need.
You married? he asked her hopefully. Engaged?
She wiggled her bare left hand in front of his face.
Seeing someone? he pressed, praying for the yes that would make him honor bound to quit thinking of her naked in his arms.
Why do you want to know?
I wondered who I should pity.
Despite the insult, their gazes locked. They flared, and then smoldered. He couldnt seem to tamp down his unspoken desire.
No, she told him flatly.
I didnt ask you anything. He didnt want to kiss her. He wouldnt want to kiss her.
She tipped her head to a challenging angle, her rich, dark hair flowing like a curtain. Im helping you find your brother. Dont get any ideas.
I didnt ask for your help. What he really wanted was for her to go away and stay away so he could keep him emotions on an even keel.
Youre getting it, anyway, neighbor.
There isnt actually a badge, you know.
I want him back, too.
It wasnt that Caleb had an interest in ferrying Reed back to Lyndon Valley. He had an interest in the Terrell ranch no longer being his problem. And there was more than one way to accomplish that.
I could sell the place, he pointed out.
She stiffened, drawing back in obvious astonishment. You wouldnt.
I could.
I wont let you.
The threat was laughable. Howre you going to stop me?
She lifted her chin. Ill appeal to your honor and principles.
Fresh out, he told her honestly, his desire for her starting a slow burn in his body. There was certainly no honor in lusting after his brothers neighbor.
She shook her head in denial, the tip of her tongue touching her bottom lip. Youre here, arent you? You came all the way out here to give the ranch back to Reed. You cant undo all those good intentions because youve been slowed down by a day or so.
Caleb hesitated. The faster the better as far as he was concerned. You think we can find him in a day or so?
Sure, she said with breezy conviction. How hard can it be?
Caleb wasnt touching that one.
But the flash in her eyes told him shed heard the double-entendre as clearly as he did. She held up a warning finger. I told you not to get any ideas.
You have a vivid imagination.
And you have a transparent expression. Dont ever play poker.
Well, not with you.
So, you admit Im right? Her expression held a hint of triumph.
I can control myself if you can.
Theres nothing for me to control.
You think Im hot, he reminded her.
When I was thirteen and underage.
Youre not underage now.
She pointed to him and then back to herself. You and me, Caleb.
Sensual anticipation shot through his chest.
But she wasnt finished speaking. Are going to find your brother, give him back his ranch and then go our respective ways.
Caleb squelched his ridiculous disappointment. What had he expected her to say?
Two
Having escaped to the Terrells front porch and perched herself on the railing, Mandy tried not to think about the sensual awareness that flared inside her every time Caleb spoke.
And when hed hugged her.
Hoo boy. She fanned herself with her white Stetson, remembering the tingling sensation that flowed across her skin and the glow that had warmed the pit of her stomach as hed pressed his body against hers. Though the brothers were twins, shed never felt anything remotely like that in a hug from Reed.
She heard the sound shed been waiting for and saw a Jacobs ranch pickup truck careen up the driveway. She stuffed the hat back on her head as the truck caught air on the last pothole before spraying gravel while it spun in the turnaround and rocked to a halt. Two Jacobs ranch hands exited the passenger side, giving her a wave as they headed for the barn, while her brother Travis emerged from the drivers, anchoring his worn hat on his head and striding toward her.
And? Travis demanded as he approached, brows going up.
Mandy jabbed her thumb toward the front doorway just as Caleb filled the frame.
At six-two, with long legs, all lanky muscle, Travis easily took the stairs two at a time.
Came to see for myself, he told Caleb, looking him up and down before offering his hand.
Caleb stepped outside and shook it, while Mandy slid off the rail, her boot heels clunking down on the porch.
Good to see you, Travis, Caleb offered in a steady voice.
Figured Seth had to be lying, said Travis, shoulders square, gaze assessing. But here you are. A little uptight and overgroomed, but at least you didnt go soft on us.
You were expecting a pot belly and a double chin?
And a pasty-white complexion.
Sorry to disappoint you.
Travis shrugged. What brought you back?
Calebs gaze slid to Mandy.
Travis glanced between them. What?
Caleb hesitated, obviously debating whether or not to reveal the information about the will.
Travis can keep a secret, Mandy offered, moving toward them. Her family would be in a better position to help Caleb if hed be honest with them.
Travis tipped his chin to a challenging angle, confronting Caleb. What did you do?
Nothing, Caleb stated levelly. Im solving a problem, not creating one. But I remember gossip spreading like wildfire around here.
Welcome home, Mandy put in, struggling to keep the sarcasm from her voice.
Caleb frowned at her. There was nothing salacious in his expression, no inappropriate message in his eyes. Still, the mere fact that he was looking at her sent a flush across her skin.
Come back to dance on your daddys grave? Travis asked Caleb.
You want a beer? Caleb offered. Surprisingly, there was no annoyance in his tone at Traviss crass remark.
Mandy took the opportunity to escape from Calebs proximity again, passing through the doorway and calling over her shoulder. Ill get them.
She headed straight down the hall to the kitchen at the back of the house, shaking off the buzz of arousal. There was no denying the chemical attraction between her and Caleb, but that didnt mean she had to give in to it. Sure, he was a great-looking guy. He had an undeniably sexy voice, and he could pull of a Saville Row suit.