she said pleasantly. “I’m ready. And I really appreciate you coming to get me.”
“No problem. That your stuff?” With a jerk of his chin, he indicated the matched set of luggage and the large cardboard box lined up on the porch to his left.
She nodded. “Yes.”
Without another word he walked over, picked up a suitcase in either hand and headed for his truck.
Eve watched him stride away, telling herself that he was doing her a favor with his brusque, businesslike manner. Because, for reasons she was sure were solely attributable to some obscure facet of male-female chemistry, she had to admit that after all these years simply looking at him still made her a little breathless. She didn’t want to think how she’d react if he ever displayed the least bit of charm.
Not that there appeared to be any chance of that. For which she was extremely grateful, she told herself firmly, forcing herself to look away from his retreating back. She needed this job. It would be the height of folly to let some juvenile attraction get in the way.
It was just hard to remember when John’s presence was so unsettling. But then, she supposed in a way she owed him for that, too, since her extreme awareness of him seemed to overshadow everything, even her imminent departure from her childhood home.
She turned and took one last look at the familiar entry, the broad staircase, the living room that was never used, the long hall that led to the family room that was.
It had been a good place to grow up. Yet she wasn’t sorry to leave. Being here alone the past few weeks had made her realize that without her grandfather, the ranch was no longer her home.
She settled the strap of her purse on her shoulder and smoothed her suede vest into place over her white, open-neck shirt and slim-fitting jeans. Then she calmly pushed in the lock and stepped outside, pulling the door shut behind her. She was just in time as John came up the stairs again.
He nodded at the single remaining suitcase as he reached for the cardboard box. “You think you could grab that?” He straightened without any sign of strain, although Eve knew how heavy the box was since she’d needed help carrying it outside.
“Of course.”
“Then let’s go. I need to pick up Lissy and get back to work.” He turned on his heel and headed back the way he’d come.
All right. So maybe he was making it difficult to be grateful. She still wasn’t going to let him get to her. Chin up, she set out after him, approaching just as he finished setting the box in the bed of the truck. He turned but didn’t say anything, merely reached for the suitcase. In the second before it occurred to her to let go, his hand pressed firmly against hers.
It was big, hard and warm, and Eve felt the contact clear to her toes. Startled, she jerked away, her gaze shooting to John’s face as she wondered if he’d felt it, too.
If he had, it didn’t show. His glorious blue eyes were hooded, his strong, masculine face expressionless as he gazed down at her. With a faint shock, she realized how close he was. Despite the breeze, she could feel the heat roll off of him, carrying with it the faint scent of soap and sweat. And she could see the beard that shadowed his smoothly shaven cheeks, as well as the faint lines that bracketed each side of his chiseled mouth.
Her own mouth suddenly felt desert dry. And still she continued to stare at him, riveted by the sensual curve of his lips—
He abruptly turned away, tossing the bag in the truck with a thump. Leaning over, he snagged an elastic cross tie and secured it across her belongings. Then he straightened, walked the few feet to the passenger door and jerked it open. Leveling a blue-eyed stare at her, he rocked back on his heels. “You getting in or not?”
Eve sucked in a breath. Remember. You can handle this—no matter how he behaves. “Of course.” Deliberately taking her time, she strolled over and climbed unhurriedly into the cab. Looking out at John, she smiled her most gracious smile. “Thank you.”
“Sure.” He slammed the door, walked around and climbed in on the driver’s side. Neither of them spoke as he started the truck and put it in gear.
Eve stared fixedly outside, watching the familiar landscape roll by. The sky was a vast expanse of cloudless blue that seemed to go on forever. On the far horizon, the mountains rose in shades of gray and plum, their jagged peaks frosted with snow. Closer in, a few head of cattle grazed, all that was left of the once vast Chandler herd.
Regret rocked through her. It came despite her confidence that the ranch would prosper again; the Texas consortium that had bought it had deep pockets and a good reputation. Nor did it seem to matter that in addition to making one year’s guaranteed employment for the handful of loyal hands who’d opted to stay on a condition of the sale, she’d also seen to it that they received every dime of their back pay, the best she could do under the circumstances.
She just wished she knew what had prompted her grandfather to make that first risky investment. Or why, when things started to go sour, he hadn’t simply accepted his losses instead of stubbornly throwing good money after bad.
She swallowed a sigh. If only she’d paid more attention, instead of blithely assuming that everything was all right. If only she’d come home last spring, instead of letting Granddad convince her the timing was bad. If only she’d behaved more responsibly, he might have felt he could confide in her, instead of believing he had to protect her the way he always had.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were broke? That you had to sell the ranch?” John asked abruptly.
The question caught her off-guard. Her stomach twisted even as she gamely raised her chin. “Whatever makes you think that?”
“Don’t try to snow me, Eve. I’d already heard some rumors. After you gave me that story about needing a ride today because you were ‘between cars,’ I got to thinking. I called Eldon Taylor and he filled me in.”
Eldon Taylor was the president of Lander Savings and Loan. Eve had never particularly liked him, but until now she’d always thought he was discreet. “He had no right,” she said woodenly.
“Maybe not. But the point is, he did.” They rattled over the last cattle guard, then drove beneath the carved wooden arch that marked the ranch entrance. After checking for other traffic, John pulled out on the sparsely traveled two-lane highway and accelerated. “And you still haven’t answered my question.”
“Unlike Mr. Taylor, I didn’t think it was any of your business,” she said coolly. “I don’t recall asking you for a loan. Or a handout.” She glanced challengingly at him. “Or do you make everyone who works for you fill out a financial statement?”
A muscle flexed in his jaw. “I’m not entrusting ‘everyone’ with my daughter. I’m entrusting you. I think that entitles me to ask a few questions.”
As much as it rankled, Eve had to concede he had a point. “All right. What is it you want to know?”
“I thought you had a trust fund, money that came from your parents.”
“That’s right.”
“What happened? You blow through it already?”
Before, she’d only suspected he thought she was a spoiled brat. Now she knew. Yet she was darned if she’d defend herself. Not now, and not to him. She shrugged. “As a matter of fact, I did. But don’t worry. I swear I won’t steal your silver or anything. I’m not that desperate. Yet.”
To her satisfaction, his mouth tightened.
Deciding to press her advantage, she added, “What made you change your mind about hiring me, anyway?”
One shoulder rose and fell dismissively. “I don’t have time to run the ranch and also take care of a kid. Once I thought about it, I decided that any help was better than none. Even yours.”
It was hardly a ringing endorsement, but Eve told herself she didn’t care. His opinion