Cole eased his weight off her.
Sorry, said Sydney, adjusting her shirt. Where exactly had Coles hands roamed? What had Kyle seen?
Cole rolled to his feet and held out a hand for Sydney. Just trying to do our part, he said to Kyle.
Kyle fought a grin. Next time get a room.
What would be the point in that? asked Cole.
Kyle glanced at Sydney and snorted before turning away.
Cole pulled her into a standing position and patted her on the back. Way to go, partner.
Cole pulled her into a standing position and patted her on the back. Way to go, partner.
She smoothed her hair. No problem. No problem at all. If that was Cole faking it, some lucky woman was going to live in paradise someday.
Cole scooped his hat from the ground. Potatoes and carrots.
You think that was overkill? she asked.
Nah. It was romantic.
So you figure were getting it right.
He walked into the garden and crouched down. Aside from you making Katie suspicious, I think its going according to plan.
Sydney turned to watch Kyle stride up the staircase. You know, you three blow me away.
What do you mean? Cole dug into the black dirt.
Katies protecting you from me. Kyles protecting his wife from stress. And youre compromising your principles to help them both.
Something wrong in that?
Something nice in that. Im just trying to save my job. She liked what that said about Cole. She wasnt completely sure she liked what that said about her.
Cole rose to his feet, dusting one hand off on the thigh of his jeans as he made his way out of the garden. Your job is in jeopardy?
She nodded. Yeah, she admitted. Im on probation. Theres this guy
Then she stopped herself and shook her head. She wasnt letting thoughts of Bradley mar the day. Truth is, I havent been delivering the way the museum needs. If the Thunderbolt hadnt worked out, Id have been out of a job.
Hold these. He filled her hands with long, crisp carrots. So, do I get extra points for helping you and with Katie?
Absolutely. She tried to think of something nice she could do for Cole. You want to come to New York and see the display?
He shrugged, heading into another section of the garden. Maybe. If were still faking it.
Sydney watched Cole unearth a handful of potatoes and tried to imagine him in her Sixth Avenue apartment. He was too big for New York, too raw, too wild. He belonged on horseback in the rain, or half naked in his cabin kitchen.
She shivered at that particular memory. This urge to kiss him was turning into an obsession. And the obsession was moving way past kissing.
Cole was untamable and exciting and exotic. He was sexy as all get-out, and challenged her on every level. Aside from the Thunderbolt, aside from the charade, she wanted him in every way a woman could possibly want a man.
Youll never get anyone to marry you without a decent house, said Grandma, plunking a well-thumbed catalog down on the low table in front of him.
Cole snapped to attention, pulling his arm from the back of the porch swing where hed been toying with Sydneys hair. Huh?
Ive been after you for months to pick out plans. And with Sydney here, well, it seems like the perfect opportunity to get a female opinion.
As opposed to yours and Katies? Cole wasnt picking out house plans. He had other things to spend his money on, and he had a perfectly good cabin down by the creek.
Great idea, said Katie, pulling her patio chair closer. Her eyes shone with anticipation as she flipped open the book.
Cape Cod or Colonial? asked Kyle, placing his hands on his wifes shoulders.
Cole glared at his brother. I do not need a new house.
Youre joking, right? said Katie.
She shifted her attention to Sydney. Tell him no self-respecting woman would live in that cabin.
Sydney tensed, and Cole automatically reached out to squeeze her hand. Youre putting Sydney on the spot, Katie.
Grandma sidled up next to Sydney. Im sure she doesnt mind. We just want to take advantage of your cosmopolitan taste, dear.
Sydney kept her mouth shut tight, and Cole shot Kyle a meaningful glare. Unfortunately his brothers only response was a mocking grin.
I need a new hay barn, said Cole. An addition on the tack shed, and an upgrade to the combines. We all agreed in the spring.
No. You agreed in the spring, said Katie primly. The rest of us thought you needed a new house.
Cole reached out and shut the book. Hed agreed to a marriage of convenience. Hed agreed to pretend it was real. But he wasnt building any damn house just to keep Katie from being stressed.
The cabins fine, he said, moderating his voice. Even if I was to get married- he turned to Sydney -that cabin would be okay in the short term. Right?
She swallowed. Uh-
Katie jerked the catalog out from under Coles hand. Now youre the one putting Sydney on the spot. If the cabins so fine, well move into it. You take the house.
Dont be ridiculous.
Why is it ridiculous when I say it?
There are two of you. And youre a woman.
Now youre sounding sexist.
Cole turned to his brother. Youd actually let your wife live in the cabin.
Nope, said Kyle. But it sounds like youre willing to let yours.
Cole opened his mouth, but he couldnt immediately come up with the right argument. Damn Kyle. This was not his opportunity to push the new house agenda.
And what about the children? asked Katie. Theres absolutely no room in the cabin for children.
All eyes swung to Sydney. Maybe an addition? she offered.
Katie laughed. Yeah, right. Cape Cod or Colonial?
Grandma patted her hand. Dont be shy, Sydney. We value your input.
Sydney hesitated, but she was being stared down by the entire family. Ive, uh, always liked a nice Cape Cod.
Page thirty-nine, said Grandma.
Well, you were a big help, Cole said to Sydney as they walked down the ranch road in the moonlight. After her initial protest, shed plunged into the planning session with gusto.
I tried to keep quiet.
And that didnt seem to work out for you?
Im supposed to be falling for you, so I tried to make myself sound like actual wife material. I answered all your Grandmas questions. We swapped recipes-
You know recipes?
Sydney shot him a look. I made them up. Point is, if Id balked at planning my future house, it would have looked suspicious.
Now theyre going to want me to build the damn thing.
So what? The cabin is falling apart.
What am I going to do with a two-story, octagonal great room?
I didnt vote for the octagonal great room. That was Katie.
Well you voted for the dormer windows.
Theyre pretty.
And a turret?
Adds detail.
And what am I going to do with a hot tub?
Sydney was silent for a moment. Uh, bathe?
Very funny. I dont need jets and bubblers rumbling under my butt to get clean.
Ever tried one?
No.
She grinned and bumped her shoulder against his arm. Dont know what youre missing, cowboy.
Why? Have you?
It just so happens I own a hot tub.
A visual bloomed in Coles brain-of Sydney, glistening skin and swirling water.
Cole?
He cleared his throat. Yeah?
You ever stop to think there might be some deep-seated, psychological reason you shortchange yourself?
No. He didnt shortchange himself, and he didnt have deep-seated reasons for anything. He herded cows. He raised horses. He kept the ranch running. What you saw was what you got.
Youre living in a cabin where you wouldnt let any other member of your family live.
That wasnt true. He turned from the ranch road down his short driveway and the roar of the creek grew louder. Id let Kyle live there.
And youve never been married.
Lucky for you. If he was married she wouldnt be getting this opportunity with the Thunderbolt.
See, I have a hard time believing women arent interested in you. If youd wanted-
Plenty of women are interested in me. He felt ego-bound to point that out. Well, maybe not plenty. But some. Enough. He wasnt exactly a monk out here.
Then why havent you settled down?
Its not by choice.
Bet it is.
Not my choice.
The women said no?
He refused to answer, wondering how he and Sydney always ended up having such personal conversations. He was a private man. He liked it that way.
Come on, Cole, Sydney prompted.
Why arent you married? He tried to turn the tables.
Her answer surprised him. Nobody ever proposed.
Did you even want them to? he asked.
You mean, have I ever been in love?
Yeah.
I dont think so.
You dont know? That surprised Cole.
She shook her head. What about you?
I guess not.
She grinned and bumped him again. But youre not sure?
He cocked his head, considering her. You know, its hard, isnt it? To know for sure.
Is that why you never asked anyone.
Nah. Never got that far. Truth is, they all left me once they got to know me.
She tipped her head back and gave him a hint of that sexy laugh. No way. You left them.
He had to squelch an urge to wrap his arm around her. She was just the right height, just the right size, just the right shape for his arms.
Instead he shook his head. Im a bit of a selfish jerk deep down inside.
No. Youre the opposite. Just like I said. Youre the one sacrificing to take care of everyone around you.
They came to the porch and he preceded her up the three steps. Do you happen to have a degree in psychology?
I have a degree in art history.
Good. He pushed open the door and stood to one side. You can decorate the turret and leave my brain alone.
She grinned as she walked past him. Your brain is beginning to fascinate me.
I dont want a new house, because I dont need a new house. This is a working ranch, not a Dallas subdivision. Next thing theyll be putting in a pool.
Ive hit on something here, havent I?
You havent hit on anything. His voice came out unexpectedly sharp as he flipped the kitchen lamp.
Her eyes went wide. Im sorry.
Cole swore under his breath. He shook his head and moved toward her. No. Im the one whos sorry. He was falling back on defense mechanisms now.
Its none of my business, she said.
Of course its not. But were playing this silly game. He took a breath. Ah, Sydney. We should have known it would get complicated.
She gave him a nod and a hesitant smile, and he found himself easing closer. He inhaled deeply, filling his senses.
Her lips were burgundy in the lamplight. Her emerald eyes were fringed by thick lashes. Her skin was ivory-smooth, flushed from the walk. And the memory of it was indelibly pressed into the nerves of his fingertips.