In the Arms of the Rancher. Jan Colley

russet and antique gold.

      His lean fingers lightly stroked the length of the soft material.

      As if he were touching her, a tingle slid the length of Kate’s spine in time with the stroking of his fingers. She drew a quick breath before asking, “Yes? No?”

      He nodded. “I think you’re right. “It’s perfect. Is there anything else you want to look at?”

      “No.” She shook her head.

      “You wouldn’t like one of these scarves for yourself?”

      “I’d love one,” she said ruefully. “But my clothing budget doesn’t stretch to cashmere anything.”

      From the expression that flittered over his face, Kate was afraid for a moment that he was going to offer to buy her one of the gorgeous scarves. She softly sighed with relief when he shrugged.

      “Are you ready to go, then?”

      “Yes,” she said, glad he hadn’t made an offer she would have to refuse, even one involving a simple, if very expensive item.

      Kate was happy to get outside again and barely noticed where they were walking until they were in sight of where Hawk had parked the car. It was only then that she glanced at her watch for the first time since they had left her apartment complex.

      An odd sensation, almost like sadness, settled on her as they drove to Vic’s restaurant. Their day together was almost over. Kate doubted there would ever be another one, as he would soon be leaving for his ranch, his vacation over.

      “I had a lovely day, Hawk. Thank you,” she said when he brought the car to a stop in the restaurant lot. This time she waited until he opened the car door for her.

      “You’re welcome, Kate.” His hand on the door handle, Hawk looked at her as she emerged from the car, an endearingly soft smile curving his tempting mouth. He leaned toward her. Without a thought, she met him halfway.

      Hawk’s kiss was as soft as his smile and gentle, with no sudden hungry pressure or demand.

      Naturally, Kate wanted more, a lot more. Obviously, Hawk did, too. A low groan of protest slipped into her mouth as he reluctantly drew away.

      Moving back, away from her, he dragged a deep breath into his body. Looking her straight in the eyes, he said, simply, “When?”

      Kate didn’t need to question him. She knew exactly what he meant. The heat radiating through her body was a dead giveaway. He wanted her. Always honest with herself, she acknowledged she wanted him just as badly. But…Why did there always have to be a but? Nevertheless, there it was. Feeling she had known him forever didn’t change the fact that she had met Hawk less than a week ago, and she didn’t really know the inner man, the unvarnished person.

      Oh, Kate was well aware that there were women who “hooked up” with a man the same day or night of meeting him. Yet as hackneyed as it sounded, she was not one of those women.

      “Kate?”

      At the soft sound of his voice, Kate blinked to meet his direct stare.

      “I’m sorry, Hawk,” she said, disappointment tingeing her tone. “I…I’m just not sure…I…”

      “Shh,” he soothed, raising a hand to glide a finger along the curve of her cheek. “It’s all right. I can wait.” A self-deprecating smile played over his lips. “Well, I think I can wait.” His smile turned teasing as he added, “I’ll suffer in silent agony.”

      Kate had to laugh, but she felt like crying. “You really don’t need to come back for me tonight. Vic will drive me home.”

      There it was, her feeble declaration of independence. Hawk stared at her for a moment, but she knew he had understood. She was feeling pressured and was asking him to give her some room.

      He gave her a wry smile and circled the car to the driver’s side. “May I call you tonight, after you get home from work?”

      “Yes, of course.” She glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to go, Hawk, or I’ll be late.”

      “Tonight,” he said, standing by the open car door.

      “Tonight,” she echoed, softly sighing as he slid behind the wheel and swung the door shut.

      Kate made it to Vic’s just in time, not that Vic would have said anything if she had been a few minutes late. While he was easygoing—the employees didn’t even have to clock in—she was a nut about punctuality. Although she admitted she had plenty of human flaws, being late wasn’t one of them.

      Big deal, Kate thought, hanging her jacket on the coat rack in the employees’ break room. So she was never, or hardly ever, late for anything. What was so great about that? She would be better served by being tough rather than prompt. If she were tough, she would have had Jeff hauled into court for abuse and harassment long ago.

      But, no, she hadn’t done that. She had tried reasoning with him. Ha! A lot that had got her. She should have realized early on that there was simply no reasoning with the self-indulgent, narcissistic jerk.

      And Kate knew Jeff would ignore any restraining order and would do exactly as he pleased, which meant the continued harassment of her, especially after Hawk returned home.

      There was only one thing she could do. Though Kate had thought of it many times, she now felt certain she had to leave Vegas. She had put off the decision because she liked it here, liked her job and the people she worked with. And she loved Vic, Lisa and Bella like family.

      No, as much as she wanted to stay, she couldn’t take a chance of putting her friends in danger. Kate heaved a sigh of regret and hurried to the hostess station to relieve the older woman who worked part-time handling the lunch patrons.

      She was afraid the day would drag by. It didn’t. The restaurant was so busy, time just flew. Kate also expected Hawk to amble in for dinner. He didn’t. So, of course, not only was she disappointed, but she couldn’t help but wonder where and with whom he might be spending his evening.

      After they closed the restaurant, Vic walked Kate to his car. “Are you all right, Kate?” he asked, sounding concerned. “You’ve been awful quiet tonight.”

      “I’m fine,” she answered, managing a smile for him. “At least I will be after tomorrow.”

      Vic frowned, opening the car door for her. “What’s happening then?”

      Kate sighed. “Jeff’s been bothering me again,” she said, touching his arm reassuringly when she saw him grow stiff. “It’s all right, Vic. Nothing happened. Hawk was with me at the time.”

      Vic cocked an eyebrow. “And nothing happened? Hawk didn’t do anything?”

      She smiled, if faintly, looking at her hand on his arm. “He couldn’t. I held him back.”

      Vic actually laughed. “Yeah, right. Honey, if Hawk wanted to go for him, you wouldn’t have been able to hold him back.”

      “I said please.” She gave him a sweet smile and fluttered her eyelashes at him.

      “Yeah.” Vic nodded. “I can see that would have stopped even Hawk.” Shaking his head, he ushered her into the car. Although she knew he was bursting with questions, Vic didn’t voice even one as he drove her home.

      She had no sooner entered her apartment than the phone rang. Hawk. Dropping her purse onto a chair, she hurried to the phone and snatched it up.