The Lone Rancher Read online

  Quin wasn’t even sure how it happened, but he blinked in surprise when he realized he was kissing the breath out of Boston and she was kissing him right back. It made no sense whatsoever. He wanted to choke her…didn’t he? And she wanted to rip him to shreds…didn’t she?

  Before he could form reasonable answers to those befuddling questions, his brain broke down. He devoured her dewy lips. Damn, she tasted good and she felt like the devil’s own temptation in his arms. He could feel the imprint of her hips against his groin, feel her breasts meshed against his heaving chest. He went on kissing her as if his very life depended on it…until he was forced to come up for air.

  They stared at each other wide-eyed, gasping to draw air into their starved lungs. Quin took a step back and was surprised that his knees buckled slightly. He was not surprised, however, to realize that the ache south of his belt buckle was pulsing in rhythm with his pounding heartbeat.

  “That was uncalled for!” she spouted off, breasts heaving, face flushed.

  “You started it,” he countered—and realized he sounded ridiculously childish. But damn it, this woman made him loco.

  “Me?” She glared pitchforks at him. “I’d rather kiss my horse. Do not ever do that again or I will have the city marshal bring assault charges against you.”

  “Not before I file charges against you for trying to entice me into letting you keep my foreman.”

  She reared back a doubled fist but Quin grabbed hold of it before she socked him in the jaw. “Do us both a favor and go home, Boston. Clear out of Texas. I’ll pay you exactly what you paid for this floundering ranch.”

  “You can rot in Hades, Cahill,” she spewed furiously. “Furthermore, I cannot believe my cousin calls you friend. You are an infuriating beast of a man!”

  “Your cousin?” He stared stupidly at her.

  “Rosalie Greer Burnett,” she said in a huff. Then she wrested her fist from his grasp. “Her mother and my father were brother and sister. I thought Rosa had better taste.”

  “That’s why you moved here?” he asked, dumb-founded.

  “Partly.” She rearranged the blouse that had somehow become twisted when she kissed him half to death. “I told you, I’m making a new life for myself in a place that is supposed to be more accepting of women who want more than to become a wife to a man who thinks he’s entitled to boss her around. As if she doesn’t have a brain in her head and needs a man’s permission to do the slightest thing. You, I suspect, are nothing like Lucas. He treats Rosa as his equal partner, not his chattel.”

  “You don’t know me well enough to know how I’d treat my wife,” he pointed out. “If I decide I want one. Which I don’t.”

  “Nor do I care to know you any better than I do now.” She made another stabbing gesture with the same forefinger she had poked into his chest earlier. “Now get off my property. And do not come back unless you send advanced notice so I can gird up for battle before you arrive.”

  He smirked sarcastically. “Boston, you don’t need advanced warning. You’re pricklier than my horse Cactus.”

  “I can see why your horse might be contrary,” she shot back. “Having you ride him is barely tolerable, I suspect.”

  He smiled devilishly when she clamped those kissable lips shut and looked as if she wished she could retract that reckless remark. “Cactus has no complaints. It might be more enjoyable than you think, Boston.”

  She puffed up like an offended cobra. “I have work to do and I have no time to listen to your rude, suggestive comments,” she all but shouted at him, her bosom heaving in outrage. “Good day, Cahill, and good riddance!”

  Quin swooped down to pluck up the Stetson she had knocked off his head while she practically climbed all over him to get closer so she could kiss him senseless. Moreover, she was not pinning that hot, breathless embrace on him. He hadn’t started it…had he? It was all her fault.

  On that righteous thought, he crammed the hat on his head and veered around the corner of the barn to see the cowboys watching him warily. He sent them a clipped nod, then glared at Rocky Rhodes, the turncoat. Scowling, Quin headed to the hitching post in front of the house to fetch his horse.

  Halfway there, an inspiring thought assailed him. He smiled mischievously as he untethered his horse and led the animal around to the back door of Boston’s freshly painted house.

  Chapter Three

  After her encounter with Cahill, Adrianna inhaled several restorative breaths to regain her composure. Then she tamped down the unwelcome and unexpected sensations still undulating through her body. Good heavens, if she didn’t know better, she’d swear her physical attraction to that infuriating cowboy overshadowed her fierce dislike of his character and personality.

  Why she had allowed Cahill to kiss her blind and stupid defied reasonable explanation. And despite what he’d said, he had started it…hadn’t he?

  She did not go around kissing men on a reckless whim. Not ever. She didn’t trust the male gender. They were a devious, manipulative lot. Well, except for Rosa’s beloved Lucas, she amended. The two of them had stopped by the previous afternoon to see what changes she had made in the house. It was sweet, really, the way the newlywed lovebirds held hands and whispered to each other.

  Adrianna was happy for her cousin, but she felt a bit left out, too. Her expectations of moving to Texas and re-creating the days of her youth when she and Rosa had been inseparable hadn’t panned out. There had been a time when Rosa was as cautious of the agenda of men as Adrianna was. But Rosa’s obvious love for Lucas changed her perspective.

  Adrianna discarded her wandering thoughts and strode off. She wanted to check her remuda of horses to ensure the long train ride hadn’t distressed them. And tomorrow, she would ride into town for the second fitting for her new gown and pick up two more pairs of breeches that Mel was working on. Adrianna planned to take Elda and Bea with her to arrange the grand party. Celebrating Rosa and Lucas’s marriage was going to be a gala affair.

  According to Rosa, hosting parties on Town Square worked perfectly. But in case of a spring storm, Adrianna supposed she would have to reschedule….

  Her thoughts trailed off when one of her employees, Chester Purvis, nearly plowed into her as she rounded the corner of the horse barn. The stocky, shaggy-haired cowhand who was a few years older and had pale brown eyes reached out to steady her before she collapsed on the ground.

  “Sorry about that. You okay, Miz McKnight?”

  She flashed a nonchalant smile. “I’m fine.”

  “I was afraid Cahill planned to rough you up a bit after you hired away Rocky Rhodes.” Ches leaned closer than Adrianna preferred so she shifted away. “Cahill is a man to be reckoned with, ya know. His brothers and sister shoved off the first chance they got. Plus, that Cahill Curse makes him mean-spirited.”

  She frowned, bemused. “What curse?”

  “Well, some folks in these parts claim the Cahills bribed the railroad agents to get the town placed on their property so they could sell lots and rent buildings to shopkeepers. Then, of course, there was the wagon accident that killed Ruby and Earl Cahill. Not to mention how rustling and fence cutting increased as a result of the curse.”

  Adrianna frowned pensively. She would have to remember to question Cousin Rosa about the supposed Cahill Curse. Maybe that’s what made that brawny, gray-eyed cowboy irascible and hard-nosed. Not that Adrianna intended to excuse his behavior. Still, she was curious about the loss of his parents and the rift that sent his brothers and sister away from the ranch.

  “Thank you for the information, Ches,” she said before she strode off.

  Ches was a step behind her. “Cahill didn’t threaten you or anything, did he, Miz McKnight?”

  She stopped short, causing Ches to bump into her. She backed up a step and tried not to wrinkle her nose when she got a whiff of the cowboy, who was overdue for a bath. She made a mental note to purchase a bathtub for the bunkhouse.

  “Don’t concern yourself with m
e, Ches. I can take care of myself when it comes to dealing with Cahill.”

  He inclined his shaggy head, then touched his hand to the rim of his grimy hat. “Yes, ma’am. Just wanted you to know that me and some of the other boys are here to back you up if Cahill tries to pressure you.”

  Adrianna watched the bowlegged cowboy stroll off to tend his chores. It sounded as if Ches Purvis and the other hired hands envied Cahill’s wealth and influence in the area. She wondered how many of her employees shared his opinion that Cahill deserved all the bad luck that came his way. Then she wondered if Cahill’s hired hands resented her for hiring away Rocky Rhodes and not them.

  Well, in some ways she supposed she was like Cahill. She didn’t give a whit about public opinion. She was following her father’s policy of surrounding herself with exceptional employees. That, according to Reuben McKnight, was the secret to financial success.

  An hour later, Adrianna entered the house, anxious to devour one of Elda’s delicious meals, then sink into a relaxing bath. She ambled into the kitchen, surprised to see Bea and Butler slicing bread, cheese and some sort of meat she couldn’t identify.

  “Where’s Elda? She isn’t feeling ill, is she?” Adrianna asked in concern.

  “No, she’s fine,” Bea replied as she grabbed the whistling teapot off the stove. “She took a new job.”

  “What?” Adrianna crowed in astonishment. “After all her years of loyalty to us? Why would she do that?”

  Butler pivoted to face her. “Cahill showed up at the back door and lavished Elda with so many sticky-sweet compliments I developed an instant toothache just listening to them.”

  “She joined the enemy’s camp?” Adrianna howled in dismay.

  Bea calmly took the supper tray and whizzed into the dining room that now boasted a china cabinet, table and chairs that had once graced the lavish mansion in Boston. “Now, now, dear, don’t fret. There is method to Elda’s defection. Although Cahill promised to pay her exceptionally well to cook and clean for him, she intends to remain there only temporarily to see what goes on at 4C. She plans to report her findings to you.”

  Adrianna scoffed. “Since when does Elda engage in clandestine espionage?”

  Butler snickered as he toted cups of steaming tea into the dining room. “You’re aware the household staff at the Boston estates provide a network of information. How do you think rumors about who was cheating on whom and who was going bankrupt on an ill-advised investment began circulating? For a fee, you can find out the dirt on the highest echelon of aristocrats and politicians. Elda is using that tactic.”

  “But still…” Adrianna mumbled. “Elda is family and family is supposed to stick together.”

  Bea arched a brow. “You hired away Cahill’s foreman to whip this ranch into shape, but mostly you did it to annoy your neighbor, didn’t you?”

  “Well, yes,” she admitted begrudgingly.

  “Then there you go,” said Butler as he plunked into his chair. “Now sit down and eat. Bea and I will be better prepared for tomorrow’s meals.”

  “No need,” Adrianna replied. “Tomorrow we will purchase supplies in Ca-Cross and arrange Rosa’s wedding celebration. There are several restaurants in town. We’ll try their fare.”

  “I’m ready for a day away from painting, dusting and cleaning,” Bea said enthusiastically.

  The threesome ate in companionable silence but Adrianna inwardly fumed over Cahill’s audacity of charming Elda out of the kitchen and escorting her to his house. Blast that dark-haired demon! First, he had kissed her senseless, then he had swiped Elda, who was an honorary aunt, same as Beatrice.

  Later, while Adrianna was lounging in her fragrant bath in her private quarters—that she had painted herself and spiffied up to feel like home—she wondered if loneliness was part of the reason Cahill had lured away Elda.

  According to Chester Purvis, Cahill’s siblings had left him to manage the ranch alone. Maybe he’d grown tired of rattling around in that big three-story stone-and-timber home by himself. The conflict between her and Cahill might have been the perfect excuse for him to have someone else in his house.

  Adrianna was cautious not to sympathize with Cahill’s problems because she did not intend to soften toward him. He had insulted her, after all. He deserved to find himself living next door to a neighbor from hell. And just because that impossible man had kissed her—and she had liked it—didn’t mean she had the slightest respect or affection for him. He was a man cursed, if Ches Purvis was to be believed. Adrianna had enough challenges ahead of her without tripping over a big, swarthy stumbling block with mercury-colored eyes and sensuous lips that tasted—

  Adrianna jerked upright in the bathtub so quickly that she accidentally slopped water on the floor. “Forget about that,” she lectured herself sternly. “Forget about him.”

  She settled back into the tub and smiled wickedly. “I wonder how much it would cost to hire Elda to poison Cahill? That would put the ornery rascal out of his misery for good.”

  Adrianna had to admit it was a relief to leave behind the rat-tat-tat of hammers all the livelong day. Although she was anxious to complete the new addition that would become her spacious private parlor, bedroom and office, she was eager to get away and visit Rosa.

  “There aren’t many options for purchasing supplies and personal items,” Bea remarked as they halted the wagon in front of Rosa’s shop, which faced Town Square.

  “We’ll manage,” Butler insisted as he helped the housekeeper down.

  Adrianna frowned curiously when she noticed Butler held on to Bea—and she to him—a moment longer than necessary. If Adrianna didn’t know better…

  She studied the twosome from a different perspective. “How long has this been going on without my knowledge?”

  Butler stepped protectively in front of Bea. He met Adrianna’s speculative gaze and stood his ground. “For a dozen years. We were careful in Boston, because gossip mills can grind you up, you know. If you object to our, er, friendship—”

  Adrianna waved him to silence, then hopped agilely to the ground to brush dust from her breeches and shirt. “If you recall, I moved to Texas to enjoy my independence. I’m pleased you and Bea are exceptionally fond of each other. I merely meant that no one bothered to enlighten me. I’m ashamed that I’ve been so wrapped up in my own misery the past few years I failed to notice.”

  Butler and Bea looked relieved that Adrianna hadn’t scorned their liaison.

  She grinned impishly at them. “Now, if the day comes that you decide to make it legal I will be honored to host a party for you.” She strode ahead of them. “Come see Rosa’s shop. She has done very well for herself and, like you, she has become good at keeping secrets.” She paused to stare somberly at her employees. “Rosa doesn’t want anyone to know that she’s an heiress so mum’s the word.”

  The twosome nodded agreeably before they followed Adrianna into the dress shop.

  Quin trotted Cactus into town to pick up the payroll so he would have it on hand to pay his cowboys. He also wanted to ensure the rent that the banker, Willem Van Slyck, collected monthly for him had been deposited in the ranch account. Although Quin had told Bowie, Chance and Leanna that he was pouring all the profits from town rentals and cattle sales into ranch improvements and expansion, he had paid his siblings dividends—in case they needed a financial boost. Of course, they would have to contact him—which they hadn’t. Quin wasn’t worried about Bowie’s finances since he’d had a job before leaving 4C. Not the kind of job their parents had approved of but Bowie was drawing sheriff’s wages. Quin had no idea what Leanna and Chance were doing to make ends meet. Nevertheless, the money awaited them when they finally came to their senses and returned home where they belonged.

  Like Boston—who never should have ventured west to disrupt his life and take the starring role in his dreams. Damn the woman. He kept playing that tantalizing kiss over and over in his mind and wondered if perhaps he had been the one who had initiated
it. For certain, she fit against his body as if she had been made for him….

  Now there was a thought that rattled him to the extreme.

  Yet, maybe he had been going about dealing with Boston all wrong, he mused as he halted in front of Hell’s Corner Saloon. Perhaps he should have charmed Boston as he had charmed Elda Quickel into cooking and cleaning for him. She was a gourmet cook of the highest order. His taste buds nearly went into riot remembering the delicious fare she had served him. Besides, it was nice to have someone join him at the dinner table—and he had insisted on that. No need for Elda to eat alone in the kitchen, after all.

  His thoughts flitted off when he saw Lucas Burnett and his black-eyed wolf dog—named Dog—moving along the respectable side of the railroad tracks. Lucas was riding his favorite horse called Drizzle and leading four Appaloosa-and-mustang crosses that he had culled from his prize herd.

  “Where are you headed, Burnett?” Quin called out.

  Lucas inclined his raven head toward Town Square. “I’m meeting Rosa for lunch. Then I’m taking the horses to Fort Ridge to sell. Care to join us for lunch, Cahill?”

  Quin veered away from the saloon to join Lucas. “So…how is married life treating you? Haven’t seen much of you since Rosalie put a ring through your nose.”

  “Torment me all you want, Cahill,” Lucas replied, unruffled. “I’m happy. Thanks to Rosa’s influence, I don’t feel quite so much like an outcast in town. Since everyone adores her, they tolerate me.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me that McKnight hellion is Rosalie’s cousin?” Quin accused abruptly.

  Lucas shrugged his broad shoulders, then cut Quin an amused glance. “First off, I haven’t seen you lately because we have been on our honeymoon. Secondly, you didn’t ask.”

  “Well, I’m asking now. How can your sweet wife be related to that snippy heiress who thinks she can manage a sprawling Texas ranch without going broke like her Eastern-and London-based predecessors?”