Sarah stared out the suite window, stalling. She’d managed to avoid Bruce the rest of the weekend, but that wasn’t so easy on a Monday. He had clients, so he’d be around all morning.
Anger coursed through her veins. She’d had it with his hot-and-cold treatment. One minute kissing her senseless, and the next, swatting her away like a pesky horsefly. No more. She’d told him the whole thing was a bad idea, and he’d still insisted they go on the hike. Mr. I-Make-My-Own-Decisions had failed to mention that they might change on a whim. Well, too bad. She wasn’t playing that game anymore. The ranch served one purpose for her—to stay safe. She hadn’t come there to find romance.
And now, with her and Bruce avoiding each other, she’d be just as safe somewhere else. She picked up her phone and dialed the number on the help-wanted ad for the produce farm. Before it rang, she hung up and brought a hand to her forehead.
Working somewhere else meant lying all over again, and Bruce hadn’t taught her to shoot yet. But they weren’t even on speaking terms, so she wouldn’t go if he asked. She’d figure out another way to learn.
Fluffy picked up his tug rope and bounced across the room. He nudged her hand.
She’d have to leave him behind. Her heart wrenched. She bent down and hugged him hard. “I’m sorry, guy. I’ll miss you.”
But she had to do this. She couldn’t stand being around Bruce with his cold-shoulder treatment. Not after she’d fallen so hard for him. Every time she looked at him, she’d remember how her body came alive when he kissed her.
She stood back up, took a deep breath, and dialed the number again. Her pulse quickened with every ring, but she firmed her resolve. She had to leave.
A man answered. “Hawkins Farm.”
“Hi. I’m calling about the ad in the paper for the job—”
“Sorry. We filled it yesterday. You can try back in the fall.”
Damn it. She’d waited too long. Her shoulders slumped. “Okay. Thanks.”
Hiking with Bruce had cost her the job. Now she’d have to deal with seeing him until she found somewhere else to go. And she still had the problem of a car she couldn’t drive far. She made a mental note to check with Joe on his progress finding a used radiator and tires.
She closed up the suite and headed to the barn.
When Bruce showed up, she focused on sweeping and kept her head down. Maybe he’d take the hint and leave her alone.
“I need to talk to you.” The sound of his voice reverberated through her bleeding heart.
She stiffened. Damn him. She swept harder, keeping her head down. “It’s not necessary. You were clear the other day. Let’s move on.”
“Not about that. I told you I was sorry.”
“Sorry for how it ended or sorry we went out?” She raised her head to meet his gaze.
“Both.”
Just twist the knife deeper. She couldn’t read his expressionless face. Those eyes of his that had blazed with heat and raw desire on the hike were flat and cold. She shivered. He might as well be wearing an iron mask. And as much as it hurt, she still wanted to reach out and touch his cheek or kiss him. Anything to break through, but there’d be no more touching. She had to protect herself.
“I need to know when and where to pick up your sister.”
Crap. They did need to work out the plan. It made sense for him to get Maddie, but she didn’t want any favors from him. Maybe she could ask Joe. “I’ll make other arrangements.”
“No. I said I would get her, and if there’s any trouble, I’m the most equipped to handle it.” He folded his arms.
She hated to accept anything from him, but Maddie’s safety and keeping the stalker at bay mattered more than Sarah’s pride.
Shit. He was right. If he’d managed to pull people out of covert operations while under fire, he could probably handle bringing her sister to the farm. She nodded. “Okay, for Maddie’s sake, but I’ll pay you for the time and gas.”
“Don’t insult me.” He shook his head. “You know I won’t accept that.”
Of course, he wouldn’t. She was being petty, but he’d earned it. “Fine. She’s supposed to arrive Friday. I’ll know more about times in a couple of days.”
“I’ll clear my calendar.”
She went back to work but glanced up as he walked away, his broad shoulders stiff. Her hands had gripped them when he’d held her in his lap. The hard muscles rippling under her touch when he moved. She shut her eyes and ignored the ache in her chest.
The rest of the day, he worked with his clients, and Sarah steered clear. Only, she couldn’t help but hear his voice in the arena or catch him from the corner of her eye as he passed by, causing every cell in her body to yearn for him.
As she mucked out a stall, Lynn rounded the corner.
“What’s up with Bruce?”
Sarah paused with the rake in hand. “What do you mean?”
Lynn shrugged. “He hasn’t been himself. I’m worried.”
Sarah shook her head. She forced a matter-of-fact tone. “Can’t help you. He really doesn’t talk to me much anymore.”