Sydney tensed. Flirting, she knew. Horses were something else entirely. Listen, Ive never, ever-
Its easy.
She fought his grip. Cole.
Shes calm and gentle, and shell follow right along behind me.
Im scared, Sydney admitted. What if the horse bucked? What if she fell? What if she was trampled?
Tighten your grip. He pressed her hand against the hard leather of the horn. His palm was warm and sure, and for a moment she relaxed.
Im right behind you. He nudged her forward, urging her closer to the horse. Foot in the stirrup now.
She took a deep breath and did it.
Up and over. He placed a broad palm under her butt and all but lifted her into position.
It was a quick thrill, but a thrill all the same. And now she was straddling a shifting horse, staring down at a rough-and-ready cowboy with a knowing glint in his blue eyes.
She could feel the heat coming off her cheeks and tiny quivers jumping in her thigh muscles.
For the record, he said, back to husky and sexy.
Yeah?
You should feel free to be good and bad.
It was a long mile from Coles cabin near the creek up to Katie and Kyles house on the hill. They took it at a slow walk, and Clarabelle followed the black horse along a faint trail through a wildflower meadow. Sydneys thigh muscles grew tight, but otherwise the ride went without incident.
Katie said you used to live up here, she called to Cole as the two-story house rose up in front of them.
He twisted in the saddle to look back. I moved out when Kyle got married.
Was it just the two of you?
He nodded, then did something to drop his horse back so they were side by side. My parents died when I was twenty. Kyle was eighteen.
Im sorry.
It was tough. But at least we had Grandma.
The matchmaking grandmother.
Cole smiled. Then his eyes dimmed. Shes going to be really excited about you.
Sydney felt a twinge of guilt. Grandmas didnt seem like the kind of people you should lie to.
Will it be okay? she asked.
He seemed to ponder the question. Well, shell definitely book the church. Probably start baking the cake.
He brought the horses to a halt but didnt dismount. You know, if we want to pull this off, wed better make sure we have our stories straight.
Trying to lighten the mood, she tossed her hair over her shoulders. How about you fell head over heels and Im marrying you out of pity?
Thatll work.
Cole, I was only-
It will work.
Katie appeared at the back door, giving an exuberant wave. Sydney. Youre still here?
Sydney smiled at Katie. Cole offered to teach me how to ride, she called back, deciding it was better to stick to the truth as far as they could.
Katie skipped toward them. Thats fantastic.
Sydney shifted in her saddle. Its pretty hard on the butt. I dont know how you guys do it.
Callouses, said Cole as he dismounted. Then he grinned at her. Youll be developing some soon.
Was he flirting?
He looked as though he was flirting.
And shed sure felt a shiver at the reference to her butt.
He walked a few paces and tied his horse. Then he came back for her. You want some help down?
Sure, she said. It wasnt as if she had a hope of getting off by herself. Plus, her skin was already tingling in anticipation of his hands.
Kick out both feet, he instructed. We dont want you getting hung up.
Kick out both feet, he instructed. We dont want you getting hung up.
She kicked free of the stirrups.
Katie grabbed the bridle and held the horse steady.
Lean forward and bring the other leg over his back, said Cole.
She did.
Cole wrapped his hands around her waist and slowly lowered her to the ground.
It wasnt nearly as exciting as mounting the horse, but she got to inhale his scent, and for a second there his body was pressed full length against her back. She shivered deep down inside.
He didnt immediately step away.
Shes catching on pretty well, he said to Katie. Then he leaned around and brushed a lock of hair from Sydneys cheek. Shell be running barrels in no time. He gave her shoulders a little squeeze before shifting away.
Sydney blinked at him in amazement. Shed never met anyone so caring and attentive. It was almost as if She stopped herself. He was playacting. Wow. He was very good at it.
Katie let go of the horses bridle and reached for Sydneys hand. So you are staying for a while?
Okay with you? Cole asked.
Of course it is. Katie gave Sydneys hand a quick squeeze. Youre welcome to stay with us as long as you like.
Cole led Clarabelle to the post and tied her alongside his black horse while Katie insisted they come in.
The visit didnt last long before pillars of black clouds moved down the valley. Soon, fat raindrops plunked onto the warm earth and battered against the windows.
Kyle arrived, taking refuge from the storm, shaking his hat and wiping raindrops off his face.
Katie greeted him with a hug and a kiss, and Cole moved up close to Sydneys ear. Okay, he whispered, glancing surreptitiously at his brother and sister-in-law. This is perfect.
What? You mean me? Was she hitting just the right note here?
No. I mean the rain.
Oh. Sydney glanced out the window. Perfect wasnt exactly the word shed use to describe the growing torrent. Is there a forest fire or something?
No. But the horses are all wet now. And so is the tack. Its going to be a miserable ride back to my place. Cole sounded unnaturally excited by the prospect.
Sydney grimaced. Well, it doesnt get much more perfect than that, does it? Her inner thighs chafed at the thought of getting back on a dry saddle, never mind a wet one.
He patted one of her shoulders. You need to think strategically.
Okay. She nodded slowly, trying to figure out how the rain fit into their plans. Would it flood the road? Maroon them together?
When Kyle and Katie break it up back there, said Cole, Ill suggest we ride home. Kyle will offer to ride Clarabelle, but you insist on doing it yourself.
Sydney watched the raindrops battering the window pane. And why would I do that? Other than a latent masochistic streak.
You want to be with me, of course. Youre dying to spend time with me, because Im so sexy and irresistible.
Sydney cocked her head to one side. How could I possibly forget?
I dont know. Thing is, if youre willing to ride a wet horse through a rainstorm, Katie will know youre in deep.
It made sense, in a wet, squishy, ugly kind of way. Sydney steeled herself. So be it. She was prepared to take one for the Thunderbolt.
So Kyle knows about the plan? she asked.
Cole shook his head. I just came up with it.
What if he doesnt offer?
Dont be ridiculous.
She gave him a questioning look.
If he didnt offer, wed have to kick him out of Texas. Now, no matter what he says, you ride that horse.
This is secretly revenge, isnt it?
Cole tapped the tip of her nose with his index finger. Nah. When its revenge, youll know it.
Coles plan worked like a charm.
Soon Sydney stood dripping wet and saddle sore in the middle of his cabin. And, though he was just as soaked as her, he had gallantly lit a fire then gone back outside to take care of the horses.
Shed briefly considered offering to help. But she was exhausted. Instead, she shook the droplets from her hands, finger-combed her hair and glanced around the little room.
She had to admit, the cabin was charming and homey in the rain. It was built of peeled logs that had mellowed to a golden yellow. The floor was hardwood, scattered with rugs, and the walls were decorated with antique pictures and hurricane lamps. The pieces werent valuable, but she suspected Coles ancestors had purchased them and handed them down over many generations.
She ran her finger along the stone fireplace mantel as she moved closer to the heat. It was only September, but there was a definite chill in the air. A plaid armchair with a folded knit blanket looked inviting. Too bad shed soak the upholstery.
Cole returned, banging the door shut behind him.
You should go get dry, he said as he pulled off his dripping Stetson and hung it on a peg. There are a couple of robes on the back of the bathroom door. Ill make us a hot drink.
I should do something to help. Not that she didnt appreciate this gallant he-man stuff. But she was beginning to feel like a dead weight.
He shook off the sleeves of his denim shirt. Dont worry about it.
But she did worry about it. Hed agreed to marry her, and she didnt want him to change his mind because he thought she was high maintenance. Am I keeping you from work?
He jerked his thumb toward the kitchen window. In that? Are you going to be a nagging wife?
Sydney couldnt help but smile. Sorry.
Get dried off. I cant marry you if youve got pneumonia.
She gave up. She left Cole to the teakettle and closeted herself in the tiny bathroom, stripping off her wet clothes. There was barely room to turn around in there. She banged her butt against the pedestal sink and nearly fell into the claw-foot tub. But she managed to strip down, find some towels and rub her skin dry.
She chose a three-quarter-length, plaid flannel robe with buttons all the way up the front. The shoulders drooped halfway to her elbows, and she had to roll up the sleeves, but it was warm and comfortable. She hung her wet clothes over the shower curtain.
They reminded her that she needed to get back to Wichita Falls and check out of her hotel room. She couldnt keep wearing Katies clothes, and she should really return the rental car.
She cringed, remembering the wires shed yanked out of the motor. Should she confess the sabotage to Cole, or just wait until it was discovered and pay the damages? Hard to say. Ultimately, shed rather give up money than mess up her chances with Cole.
She rubbed her hair dry and found a comb. Makeup, shed have to do without.
When she wandered back into the living room, Coles gaze slid down her body, lingering on her bare feet. He cleared his throat. You want some socks?
She glanced down at the billowing flannel. The tails hung past her knees. You might have hit on the one way to make this outfit less attractive.
You look fine.
I look like a refugee from Little House on the Prairie.
Cole chuckled low. Who cares? Im a sure thing, remember?
Thats an excellent point. Ive never had a man see me at my worst and not had to care about it. She sat down in the big armchair and eased her saddle-sore legs under her. This was restful, in a bizarre sort of way.