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Of course, rounding out her enjoyment was Lucas, and that distant enigmatic expression of his. She’d seen it twice now, and goodness, it wasn’t easy keeping the naughty fantasies at bay. She refused to guess at his dark thoughts or imagine him as a teenager. He would’ve been one of those brooding guys the girls whispered about to their friends and dreamed about at night. The type of guy who’d always been and would always be out of reach for a quiet, sensible woman like her.
She realized she’d sighed out loud when he looked up and caught her staring at him. Quickly she cleared her throat. “We should go. We don’t have much daylight left,” she said, feeling even more awkward standing next to Candy Cane and peering down at him as if he were one of her pupils.
A lazy smile curved his mouth. He arched back, stretching out his arms, then pushed to his feet with the agility of a teenager. “You’re right. I’ve monopolized enough of your time.”
“No, it’s not that—I assumed you’d want to get on the road before nightfall.”
“I’m not leaving yet,” he said and scooped up the blanket. “I figured I’d spend a few days here.”
“Oh.”
“Is that a problem?”
“No.” She nodded. “Maybe.”
“Which is it?” The corners of his mouth twitched, which she saw quite clearly since he’d sidled up next to her. “Give me a hint.”
“Okay, smarty.” Inwardly cringing at using the silly word, she resisted the urge to move over. “Did you drive through town?”
“Yes,” he said, “and judging by your smug expression, I assume I missed something.”
It wasn’t easy being this close and feeling the heat from his body. Part of her wanted to lean into him; the other part was already yanking her shirt backward. “Did you see any motels?”
He kept looking at her, his right brow lifting. “A place called the Boarding House.”
“It’s not a motel. It really was a boardinghouse about ninety years ago.”
Lucas frowned. “There were cars parked out front.”
“Someone just bought the place and is making it an inn.” She tried to look innocent. “I doubt it’ll be finished by tonight.”
He let out a laugh. “I underestimated you.”
“I’m sorry—I shouldn’t be teasing.”
“So there’s really no lodging in Blackfoot Falls?”
“None.”
“The closest place to get a room would be—where? Kalispell?”
“That’s right,” she said, not feeling the least triumphant. She wanted him to stay longer. “There is one other possibility,” she said slowly, trying to think it through.
She could call Rachel at the Sundance. The dude ranch was usually booked months in advance but there was a chance they could somehow make room for Lucas. She’d ask as a personal favor if she had to. Or was she being foolish?
“Melanie?”
She met his expectant gaze.
He waited and after a few moments said, “If you’re offering me your guest room—”
Her gasp interrupted him. “Me? No, I don’t have— I mean, I do have a spare room, but I live in town. I have neighbors.” She felt the heat sting her cheeks and there was nothing she could do about it. “Very nosy neighbors, and it’s not that I care about what they say. It’s just— Well, no, I do care but—”
“Melanie.” He touched her arm to stop her rambling.
After taking a deep breath, she managed a smile. It felt brittle and fake. “Sorry, that came out wrong.”
His hand moved to her face. Her burning-hot face. Just in case he needed proof of her embarrassment.
Oh, Lord.
“Don’t be sorry,” he murmured. “I was teasing you, and it was inappropriate. And even if you offered, I wouldn’t take you up on it.”
Her humiliation sank to another low. “No, of course not. We just met. Why would you?”
Lucas looked as if he was trying to control a smile. “Having just met you doesn’t bother me. Small town, you being a teacher. No matter how innocent the situation, I know it would be bad for you. I wouldn’t want that.”
She searched his eyes, unsure what she was looking for, and he eventually lowered his hand. It wasn’t relief she felt but disappointment. Dammit, she wanted him to kiss her. She wanted to kiss him. She knew it would mean nothing to him, if he even responded, and she didn’t care.
He turned away to deal with the blanket, struggling to roll up the bulky wool, and she started to lose her nerve. And then it occurred to her that she’d never initiated a kiss. Not once. Ever. She’d been willing plenty of times when a date had taken the lead. But here she was, twenty-seven, two semi-long-term college relationships behind her, and she’d never kissed a boy first. Wow, that was kind of sad.
“Lucas?”
He looked over and automatically smiled.
Swallowing back a lump of nerves, she moved closer. “Need help?”
“Sure.” He’d brought two corners together. “Take this end.”
Melanie obliged, gripping the blanket, spreading her arms wide and moving backward while he scooped up the lower corners. If he’d guessed at her cowardly gear switching, he didn’t let on. She hadn’t given up on the kiss yet. Just looking for a more organic way to swoop in.
Oh, who was she kidding? It would be awkward for her no matter what. She was still willing to try, though. Nervous as she was, it was clear this was one of those times she’d regret being harmless as a pet rabbit, as her grandfather used to say.
“You have to stop.”
She blinked. “Stop what?”
“Moving.”
“Right.” She laughed when she realized that he’d had to move along with her or lose his grip. “I was daydreaming. Sorry.”
The light seemed to be slipping quickly all of a sudden. Before long the twilight shadows would start playing tricks. Already Lucas’s seductive eyes had turned a deeper shade of blue as he walked the few feet to join her.
“You can let go,” he said, taking her corners.
About to protest they could do better as a team, she closed her mouth and watched him fold the more manageable half into thirds, then smaller. He finished the task with startling precision. Very neatly he slid the compacted blanket into the saddlebag.
“Were you in the military?”
Shaking his head, he finished securing the saddlebag, then turned to her. “Why do you ask?”
“You’re so neat.”
“My mom could’ve been a drill sergeant. Does that count?”
“So could mine, though not as successfully as yours,” she said drily and glanced up at the sky. It was clear overhead. Toward the Belt Mountains and Rockies, salmony-pink clouds shrouded the peaks. She loved sunsets and really needed to take more time to enjoy them. “The Sundance ranch takes in guests,” she said, noting that Lucas had been watching her. No reason to get nervous, she told herself and walked over to untie their horses. “I can call to see if they have room for you. Jesse McAllister, the man I mentioned earlier... His family owns the ranch.”
“A dude ranch?”
“Yes and no. They’re cattlemen. The family have raised cattle on that land for generations, but times are tough. They have a lot of hired hands to keep working, so they expanded, did what they had to do.”
“Good for them.”
“If there’s any chance they can put you up, they will. I know them. Really terrific people.”
“If it’s no trouble, yeah, I’d appreciate you making the call.” He paused. “Hey, what about the old cabin? In exchange I’ll make a donation to Safe Haven.”
“Annie’s cabin? The one that made you claustrophobic?”
He shrugged. “It beats driving all the way to Kalispell tonight.”
Discovering that he didn’t intend to leave town over inconvenient accommodations pleased her more than was warranted. “Unfortunately, a couple of volunteers are using it tonight. But it should be free tomorrow,” she said, holding out the gelding’s reins.
Lucas made a move to take them, only he didn’t. He closed his hand over hers. “Tell me if I’m wrong, but it seems you’ve been dying to say something.” His voice was so low and compelling she almost didn’t notice that he was drawing her closer. “Do you have something to tell me, Melanie?”
She felt his warm breath on her chin, and her mind went blank. Blood raced through her veins and roared in her ears. “Thank you for fixing the tire.”
He didn’t laugh or mock her for being a coward. But he knew. “Is that all?”
To her surprise, she glimpsed a shadow of uncertainty in his eyes. Not trusting her voice, she slowly shook her head.
“I’m not going anywhere.” He’d released her hand but their arms still touched. “I’ve got all night.”
Go on, you chicken, make the move. He’s waiting.
“I think I should call the Sundance as soon as possible,” she said, completely disgusted with herself.
Briefly searching her face, he gave her a faint smile and started to turn.
“Wait.” She pushed herself at him, pressing her palm against his chest, putting her other hand on his shoulder. Stretching up on her toes, she brushed her lips across his mouth.
His lack of response sent panic and embarrassment spiraling through her. How could she have read him so wrong? Before she could flee, he pulled her into his arms. His mouth came down on hers, and she froze in surprise.
His fingers cupped the back of her neck while his warm lips moved across her mouth. He tightened his arm around her lower back, and she felt herself begin to yield to the soft gentle tugs at her lips. Just as she was about to open for him, he drew back and looked at her.
“You want me to stop?” he asked, studying her closely.
“No.” She understood the problem. Her initial shock had come across as resistance. “No, I don’t.”
He started kneading the tense muscles at the back of her neck, his light erotic touch relaxing her. She felt her chin dropping to her chest and couldn’t seem to stop it. He nudged it back up, then cupped her head with both hands and slipped his tongue between her parted lips.
Everything inside her melted. His mouth was warm, damp and skillful, and he took his time, erasing any doubt. He ran his hands down her back, pulling her against his body, and she started to tremble. She’d always liked kissing well enough, but when Lucas touched his tongue to hers, then lazily swept her mouth, a slow aching burn in the pit of her stomach started, an ache she’d never felt before.
She could feel him hardening against her belly, could feel her heart race, could feel her nipples tighten. His mouth wasn’t so gentle anymore. She understood his growing hunger. She clutched his shoulders, wanting more, wanting him to quench that burn of longing that flared hotter but not sure how to ask for it. Or even if she should. A kiss was one thing....
She swayed a little, and he pulled back to look at her. She blinked, trying to focus. He brushed another kiss across her lips and released her.
“That wasn’t planned,” he murmured, “but I won’t apologize.”
“I’d be annoyed if you did.”
Lucas smiled. “If I’d had a teacher like you, high school might not have been so painful.”
Melanie stiffened, then turned to hide her reaction. She was a teacher and to some degree a role model. But she had a right to a private life. It wasn’t as if she made a habit of kissing good-looking strangers, and certainly not in front of her students. No, it was the “stranger” part that had her shaken. And on her home turf. Clearly she was overworked.
“So you didn’t like school, huh?” she said, unnecessarily cinching Candy’s saddle strap. He’d tasted faintly of peanut butter, and the lingering flavor on her own lips calmed her, fooled her into thinking he was more familiar.
“I hated sitting indoors all day. What you’re doing for these kids by bringing them out here shouldn’t be underestimated. I bet they learn more by being involved with the sanctuary.”
Delighted by his observation, she turned back to him. “A few parents objected at first. I think they equated coming out here to field trips instead of an actual learning experience. But now, as long as this doesn’t interfere with football practice, everyone’s okay with it.” The corners of his mouth quirked up. “What?”
“Don’t like football, huh?”
She shrugged. “It’s okay, I guess. I don’t really have an opinion about it.”
“You rolled your eyes.”
“Did I? Just now?”
Watching her, Lucas nodded. “I bet you fought like a tiger for the program.”
How could she not be aware of rolling her eyes? She didn’t like that, not one bit. She prided herself on remaining centered, keeping her expressions impassive, especially when dealing with the students and their parents. And especially with her father’s congregation. Even when she disagreed with his dogma.
“Melanie?”
She blinked at him. “I doubt I was that fierce. But yes, I felt strongly about bringing the classroom outside. Some of the kids will be moving to cities, but a lot of them will end up taking over the family ranch. They need to know they have other options and not just do what their parents and grandparents have done.”
A slight frown drew his brows together, as if she confused him. Though she couldn’t imagine why. She was straightforward and predictable, much more likely to inspire a yawn than confusion.
“A tiger?” she said and turned to Candy when the mare moved restlessly. “That was a strange analogy.”
“Why?” He watched her mount, then swung into his own saddle. “You strike me as someone who would go all out for something they believed in.”
“Really?”
“Why are you surprised?”
She led him past the thicket of aspens, wondering how on earth he’d gotten that impression. Obviously he was seeing something that just wasn’t there. She rarely made waves, whether at school or at church. Occasionally she might tweak the status quo, but no one would accuse her of hoisting the rebel flag.
