“Not yet,” she pleaded softly. “I left a note in the kitchen so no one’ll worry.”

He didn’t know what would happen if they kissed again—and didn’t think he could afford to find out. He stood, removing himself from temptation.

“Just a few more moments.” She regarded him with such longing he found it impossible to refuse her.

“All right,” he said, and sat back down on the blanket. “But only a few minutes longer. Okay? And no kissing.”

She nodded and thanked him with the sweetest of smiles.

A few minutes soon became two hours. Savannah closed her eyes and was immediately asleep. Laredo wondered if she’d gotten much rest the night before. He knew he hadn’t. He suspected that the only one who’d enjoyed the luxury of a night’s uninterrupted sleep was Richard.

He knew how Savannah felt about her brother and feared it was only a matter of time before Richard disappointed her. Laredo didn’t want to see that happen, but he was helpless to protect her.

Uncomfortable with his thoughts, Laredo sat against the tree and watched Savannah, appreciating her gentle beauty. Each minute was a gift; she’d been the one to express that thought, and he, too, had discovered the truth of it.

The world, his mother once told him, had a way of making all things equal. A divine order. We receive back what we give, or something along those lines. He hadn’t paid close attention at the time and now wished he had. But it seemed to him that meeting Savannah made up for everything that had ever gone wrong in his life. Every broken promise. Every unmet expectation, every unfair act.

But why did he have to meet her now? He snapped off a blade of grass and chewed on the end. Why would he meet this woman—and fall in love with her—when he had nothing to offer but hardship?

Laredo loved Savannah; he’d admitted that early on. He loved her enough to leave her, rather than ask her to scrimp and sacrifice with him. She deserved far better. He refused to cheat her of the comfort and certitude that were her right.

***

Ellie Frasier was busy in the back room dealing with a shipment from one of her main suppliers when Richard Weston strolled in. He wore a crisp pair of jeans, his fancy boots and brand-new Stetson, and looked more like a country singer than a rancher.

“So this is where you’ve been hiding yourself,” he said. He gazed at her boldly, eyes roaming from her hair to her booted feet, letting her know without words that he liked what he saw. Ellie wasn’t opposed to a bit of flattery now and again. Lord knew Glen and the other men in her life were damned stingy with their appreciation.

It had come as a shock to see Richard again after all these years. At first she hadn’t recognized him. As a schoolgirl she’d had a crush on him. Richard Weston had been an “older” man, both handsome and charming. That much hadn’t changed.

“I thought I’d let you take me to lunch,” he said, glancing over her shoulder to read the clipboard.

“I don’t have time today.” She wouldn’t have minded spending her lunch break with him, but she was simply too busy. She’d taken on her father’s responsibilities, as well as handling her own. Glen had suggested she hire someone to look after the books, and while she knew he was right, she’d delayed.

“You could use some time off,” Richard said, evidently disappointed she’d refused him. “And I’d love the company.”

“I wish I could.”

“Come on,” he said. “It’ll do you good.” He sent her an appealing boyish grin. “I can be a fun guy, you know.”

“I noticed.” Ellie didn’t bother to disguise her smile. The welcome-home party had been just the tonic her sinking spirits needed. The pressures of holding down the feed store and the worries over her father’s health had exhausted her.

Glen stopped off a couple of times a week to offer moral support. He was her best friend, and his down-to-earth humor had gone a long way to bolster her courage and resolve. At Richard’s party she’d relaxed and enjoyed herself for the first time in weeks. She’d danced with Glen and with Richard—and Richard had even kissed her. It was the closest thing to a date she’d had in months.

“Maybe I will escape for an hour or so,” she said, surprising herself. “The world won’t come to an end without me.”

“Great.” A smile lit up his handsome face.

Not too often was a woman given the opportunity to realize her schoolgirl dreams, Ellie mused. Okay, so she’d been fifteen and impressionable, but Richard Weston had been by far the most attractive boy in Promise. There hadn’t been a girl in school who wouldn’t have given...whatever for the chance to go out with him. Richard had played it cool, though. He’d never dated one girl for any length of time. In that sense he hadn’t changed; he must be close to thirty now and had yet to settle down.

“Where do you want to go?” he asked.

Seeing as there were very few restaurants in town, Ellie didn’t figure there were many options. “You choose.”

“How about your house?” He leaned close enough for her to catch a whiff of his musk-scented aftershave.

“My house?”

“Sure, we can rustle up something for lunch and then snuggle on the sofa for a while and talk about old times.”

He had a smile that would charm a snake. “What old times?” Ellie asked.

“We can make that part up as we go along.” His voice fell, heavy with suggestion.

“Richard!” The man was a blatant flirt.

“Why not?”

“First, I’m the world’s worst cook. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to eat anything I’ve made myself. Second, snuggling up on the sofa, tempting as it sounds, is the last thing I have time for.”

“I bet I could convince you otherwise.”

“Really?” This guy was too much. She shook her head and tossed the clipboard on a shelf facedown. “And just how do you intend to do that?”

He grinned that boyish grin again and reached for her hand, tugging her after him.

“Hey, where are we going?”

“Someplace private—where I can show you what I mean.” He looked furtively around, then pulled her inside the office and closed the door.

“Richard?”

The next thing she knew he had her pinned against the wall. He’d kissed her at the party; she’d enjoyed the attention—and the kiss hadn’t been bad, either. Maybe it was just what she’d needed to revive her energy and enthusiasm. All work and no play had dulled her senses, but Richard Weston had brought them back to life.

His kiss now was deep and sultry. By the time he lifted his head from hers, Ellie’s knees felt weak.

“How was that?” he asked.

“Not bad.” Her reply was breathless, despite her effort to sound casual. Her hands were flattened against the wall behind her, as if to prop her up. She took a deep breath. Her emotions must be in a sorry state, indeed. In fact, everything in her life seemed to be in a constant state of upheaval.

“There’s a lot more where that came from,” he promised. He ran the tip of his index finger down the V of her shirt, trailing it lower, close to the curve of her breast.

“Unfortunately,” she said, slapping his hand away, “I can’t squeeze an affair into my busy schedule.”

“Where there’s a will there’s a way.”

“Richard, please, I’m flattered but—”

He interrupted her with a second kiss. This one wet and seductive and a little too rough.

Ellie couldn’t believe she was allowing this to continue. What she’d said was true—she was flattered, but she wasn’t one to indulge in casual sex. Or casual anything.

“I’ve got responsibilities.”

“Don’t we all?”

“Richard!”

“That’s my name and I certainly like to hear you say it, but not quite like that.” His hands massaged her tired shoulders. Against every dictate of her will, Ellie closed her eyes.

“I want you to whisper my name when we’re in bed...”

She gasped. “I can’t believe you’re actually serious!”