Mesalaughed. She could totally see the stubbornness in Nina too, but she didn’twant to insult her hostess. “Thank you for talking with me.”

“Letme give you a little piece of advice. Avoid Joel for the day. You’re going tobe here for a few more days. You’ll have plenty of time to talk to him. Go fora walk. Write. Read for your own pleasure for a change. I bet you don’t readvery often without worrying about your own books.”

“True.”

“Isaw the way he touched you on his way out the door. He’s a very possessive guywhen it comes to women. It was his way of marking you, to let his brothers knowyou’re taken.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes,ma’am.” Nina nodded with a smile. “Y’all are cute together.I haven’t seen him act this way toward a woman before.”

“I’mso not his type though.”

“Sureyou are! He’s never been into skinny women. You’re just his type.” She pattedMesa’s hand and then stood. “I’ve got some work to do. You enjoy your day anddon’t worry about Joel. He’ll come find you either later tonight after supperor tomorrow.”

“Thankyou, Nina. You’ve been a huge help.”

“You’rewelcome, honey. I’ve enjoyed having you here.”

“Oh.I’ll get your dress and shoes back to you later this afternoon. Would it beokay if I did some laundry? I didn’t bring very many clothes with me on thistrip and I’m about out of clean underwear.”

“Ofcourse. You know where the laundry facilities are. Use whatever you need. Thereis soap and dryer sheets on the shelf.”

“You’vebeen such a great hostess. You can bet I’ll be singing your praises and thoseof the ranch on every social network I’m on when I get home.”

“Wordof mouth is the best advertising we can ask for. Thank you.” She nodded againbefore she headed back for her office, leaving Mesa to sit alone in front ofthe fireplace contemplating her thoughts.

Maybe Nina is right. I should avoidJoel until he comes looking for me. She bit her lip astrepidation rush through her. But what ifhe doesn’t come looking? I’ll feel like a total fool.

Thesmile he gave her earlier brought back memories of their night together. His hands on her flesh. His lips taking what he wanted. Hisbody covering hers as he took her to heights of ecstasy she’d never feltbefore. Did he do the same thing with every woman he made love to? She shookher head. Surely it was that way with any man who knew how to make love to awoman, right?

Remember your ex,her head said before she could think any further. He couldn’t fuck if he tried.All he knew how to do was stick it in, pump a few times and flop down on top ofher. Then he actually had the nerve to ask if it was good for her. Well nope,it wasn’t. It sucked!

Nowwith Joel, wow!

“Okay,enough thoughts of Joel. I’ve got some writing to do.”

* * * *

Joelwound his horse around a boulder keeping an eye out for snakes as he checkedthe fence for breaks and the cattle for strays. His thoughts weren’t on his jobthough. He wanted to see Mesa. He knew he’d pissed her off last night with hiscasual remark about their lovemaking, but he really didn’t want to give her theimpression it might turn into something more than a quick fuck. Hell, shedidn’t even live in Texas!

“Yo, Joel!”

Hepulled on Jet’s reins as Jeremiah rode up on his horse.

“Whatare you doing out here?”

“Icame to find you. Mom was looking for you earlier.”

“Ohgreat.”

“Yeah.I’m sure it’s something about you coming home with Mesa last night.”

“Whatthe fuck? Does everyone know?”

“Ofcourse they do, dumbass. One, you brought her home in your truck with its loud-assedmuffler and two, she’s staying in the main lodge. Everyone on the placeprobably heard you bring her home.”

Joeltipped his head back on his shoulders and sighed. Great. Everyone in the family knew they’d been together without himor her saying a damned word. His mom probably wanted to kill him. “I guess Ibetter go find her.”

“Yeah,I would say so. You know how she is. Mom’s gonna rip you a new asshole, buddy.”

“Great.Thanks for the support, Jeremiah.”

“You’rewelcome, bro.”

“Asswipe.”

Joelkicked his horse into a slow gallop headed for the barn. Despite the probableindigestion, he wanted this confrontation with his mother over with beforesupper. Maybe I can find Mesa while I’mat the house.

Severalminutes later, he rounded the barn for the corral as Jeff came out of the tackroom. “Joel? What are you doin’ back from ridin’ fences?”

“Momwanted to talk to me if it’s any of your business.”

“Everythingon this ranch is my business. The horses, the cattle, where the handsare…everything.”

“I’mnot your damned employee, Jeff. What I do is none of your concern no matterwhether you think you’re in charge or not.” He swung down from the saddle, andthen began unbuckling the straps. “Besides, what the hell are you doin’ in thebarn this time of day? Don’t you have somethin’ to keep you busy besides thebarn?”

“I’mchecking the feed stock, fucktard.”

“Wellget busy then, asshole. I’ve got my own worries.”

“Oh?Like fuckin’ one of the guests?”

“Blowit out your ass, brother. What I do is none of your damned business. How manytimes do I have to tell you?”

“Oneday Dad won’t be here and everything will fall on me. I’m not doing anythin’more than what will be expected of me when the time comes.”

“Dadisn’t going anywhere for a long time, Jeff, so back off. I’ll talk to Mom aboutme and Mesa.”

“Keepyour hands off the guests.”

Hepushed against Jeff’s chest. “Make me. I can fuck whomever I want to and youcan’t say a damned thing.”

“Thehell I can’t.”

“Enoughyou two!” shouted his father. “Jeff back off.”

“What?”

“Isaid back off. What happens on this ranch is mine andyour mother’s concern. We will deal with your brothers. Not you.”

“ButDad…”

“Butnothing. This is between me, your mother, and Joel.”

Joelsmirked, earning a growl from his brother as he balled his fists at his sides.He could tell Jeff wanted to kick his ass. Let him try. Jeff might be about thesame size as him, but he had a little more bulk to his frame, whereas hisbrother wasn’t quite so muscular.

“Inthe house, Joel.”

“I’mnot done with you, Joel,” Jeff snarled.

“Fuckyou.”

“Isaid in the house,” his father snapped, pointing to the main lodge.

AsJoel’s steps took him toward the lodge, he whistled knowing his father stayedback for a moment to reprimand his eldest brother. Jeff really needed to getlaid or something. The guy had a serious stick up his ass the size of a fencepost.

Hewalked inside, relishing the cool interior. The rain hadn’t let up all day andhe was soaked to the bone. A nice dry change of clothes would be good but he’dhave to make a trip back to his place to get them.

“Joel?”

“Yeah,Ma.”

“I’min the office.”

“Beright there.”

Hedragged his feet as he released a heavy sigh. Twenty eight years old, and thattone still sent chills down his spine. With a heavy sigh, he shuffled his feettoward his mother’s domain.

“Havea seat,” she said the minute he stood in the doorway. “We need to talk.”

“Areyou gonna wait for Dad?” he asked, sliding into the chair across from her desk.He hadn’t felt so put on the spot like this in several years. Not since she’dfound out he’d been visiting their neighbor’s daughter.

“Yourfather will be along shortly, I’m sure. But we’ve already discussed this atlength before I went looking for you earlier.”

“Sowhat’s up?”

“It’syou and Mesa, son.”

“Whatabout us?”

“Sothere is an us?”

“Well…”

“Nohemhawin’ about it. I know you were together lastnight. I saw her come in and heard you peel out of the driveway, digging upabout three quarters of the gravel we laid this summer.”