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Tim appeared in the kitchen doorway. “And your father would be happy that you’re running the Silver R. It was something he’d planned since the day you were born.”
Holt stiffened, trying to hold on to his reserve. He’d never known what his father wanted…only that he hadn’t wanted him.
CHAPTER SIX
MUCH later that night, unable to sleep, Leah sat at the kitchen table. She had her laptop open and decided she needed to go over the series of pictures she’d taken on her last assignment. Her editor had e-mailed a list of the pictures they wanted to use for the magazine’s next issue.
If there was any consolation to her job it was that a lot of readers would see the famine and destruction in the already war-torn area. She wanted her photos to help the cause, the children especially. Another picture appeared on the screen and Leah stopped breathing.
Soraya. She was a beautiful little girl. At the age of six, she’d already experienced too much heartbreak in her short life. She had lost her entire family in the earthquake and had been living in a tent camp, begging for food from anyone who would throw her some scraps. When Leah found the child she was starved and close to death.
Leah clicked the mouse and another picture appeared. Soraya’s big brown eyes looked back at her. Leah clicked on another, and another as tears rolled down her cheeks.
“What are you still doing up?”
Leah recognized Holt’s voice. She swiped the tears from her cheeks and looked up to see the bare-chested man standing in the doorway, dressed in only a pair of low-riding jeans. She swallowed hard. “I couldn’t sleep so I decided to do some work. Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you.”
He shrugged. “I heard you come downstairs, but when you didn’t return, I wanted to see if you were okay.”
“Just a little keyed up.” She didn’t want to talk about herself. “Corey had a good time tonight.”
“Yeah, he did.” Holt walked to the table. “What about you? You look like someone stole your puppy.”
She forced a smile. “I was just concentrating on work.”
Holt knew it was a lie. She’d been crying, and he hated the fact that it bothered him. That he felt the need to comfort her. “What have you got there?”
“Some of the pictures I took on my last overseas shoot.”
“Mind if I have a look?” He didn’t wait for her permission and looked over her shoulder.
She hesitated. “I…I guess not. This group is from my most recent assignment. I was shooting the thousands of people who are still displaced by the earthquake.” She began to scroll through the pictures.
“Man, these are something.” He studied each picture and was amazed at how Leah had captured the defeat and despair on their faces. Next were the children with their hopeful smiles as they posed for her. It was hard to look at their emaciated bodies, realizing they were caused by starvation. A beautiful dark-haired girl appeared on the screen whose big dark eyes tugged at his heart.
“They needed so little, but yet, so much,” Leah said, tears in her voice. “And with all the other tragedies in the world, there just isn’t enough money, enough help. No child should have to live this way.” Along with the sadness came an angry tone. “It’s all so cruel…so tragic.”
Holt pulled up a chair, sat down and placed an arm around her. “I know, but you can’t save them all.”
Leah covered her face with her hands. “But why couldn’t I have saved one?” she asked. “Just one little girl, Soraya.” A sob racked her body. “Oh, Holt, she was doing so well…I found her a shelter, and I promised to come back to see her. I was going to bring her home to the States so she could live with me.”
She shook her head as tears flooded her eyes. “I couldn’t save her. She died.”
Holt drew her into his arms and held her close as she cried. He wanted to absorb some of her pain, her agony. How long had she carried this with her? “It’s not your fault, Leah. It was a natural disaster in a country devastated by years of war.”
She raised her head and looked at him. “But I promised her I’d help her…to keep her safe.”
Now her obsession with Corey became clear to him. “Leah…you did the best you could do. You were probably the only one who took the time for Soraya. For a short time, you were able to give her love…and hope.”
That seemed to make her pause. “You think so?”
Emotions tore at him as he nodded.
As if she all at once became aware of their closeness, she sat up straight. “My editor needs me to go back.”
Seeing the pictures, Holt suddenly realized how dangerous her job could be. The last thing he wanted was for her to go back.
“I thought you had at least a month.”
“I do. But they never really want you to take that much time. I’m staying until after Mom and Dad’s anniversary.”
He found he didn’t want her to leave at all. “I’m not an expert, but I think you could use some time off.”
“But the more pictures I take, the more the world will see what’s going on there…with the children.”
“So, single-handedly you’re going to try to save them all?”
“No, but I need to do something.”
“And your pictures do that. People will see these children in the magazine.” An idea hit him. “Do these photos go to your editor?”
“They’ve already bought the ones they want. These others are mine.”
Mesmerized, he studied the photos again. “I hope you know, Leah, you’re an incredible photographer.” Her pictures should be displayed in a gallery, or at the very least put into a book, he thought.
Leah gave him a trembling smile. “Thank you.”
“I’m just speaking the truth,” he told her, thinking about his friend, Jason Mitchell, back in New York. He owned a gallery on Fifth Avenue and specialized in new talent.
Although he would be getting more deeply involved in her life, he couldn’t seem to stop himself. Suddenly he realized he’d do about anything to keep her safe…and here. And it had nothing to do with the deal they made about Corey.
The next morning, Holt got up at dawn, but there weren’t any sounds from Leah’s room as he passed by. Corey was already in the kitchen and starting breakfast. Holt had to admit that the boy was a hard worker.
“Mornin’, Holt. Zach said you and him are going to move the herd today. I was wondering, since I cleaned my room, if I could go with you?
Holt knew how hard the boy had worked the past week to learn to ride. And he’d done pretty well. Holt also remembered all the times he’d wanted to go places with his grandfather, but the man seldom had time for him. Zach was right, a boy needed to prove himself.
“It’s going to be a long morning. You sure you’re up for it?”
Corey’s eyes widened in expectation. The freckles across his nose and cheeks seemed to become more prominent. “Zach said I can handle it. He’s been teaching me to rope and cut a calf from his mama.”
“I guess there’s no better teacher than Zach. He’s been doing it for a long time. He even taught me.”
“I know.” Corey took a pitcher of orange juice from the refrigerator. “Zach said you turned out to be a pretty good cowboy, too—for a city boy.”
“He did, did he? That’s high praise. Well, if he thinks you’re ready, then I suppose you are.”
Those blue eyes rounded. “Really? I can go?”
Holt nodded.
The boy let out a loud whoop. But before Holt could quiet him down, Leah appeared in the doorway, her hair mussed, her dark bedroom eyes still heavy from sleep. Dressed in a conservative pink cotton robe, with a print gown underneath, she exposed just enough of her leg to cause his blood to race.
“What’s going on in here?” she asked.
“Sorry, we didn’t mean to wake you,” Holt said.
Corey went running to her. “Leah, Holt says I can go to help move the herd today.”
“That’s great,” she said, then looked at Holt and smiled. “Guess that makes you an official ranch hand then.”
“I’ve got to get my boots and my hat.” The boy ran out of the room.
Leah smiled tentatively at Holt. She’d tried to stay in bed until he had left the house. She was still vulnerable from their middle of the night encounter. He’d learned more about her than her own family. What amazed her was he just let her talk and cry it out. And the sexy cowboy hadn’t taken advantage of the situation. He was so not the man she once thought he was. Why did he try so hard to hide this side of himself?
Leah marched across the room and stood in front of him. “Looks like you’re playing hero again.”
“It’s not my intention,” he said uncomfortably. “But it’s not going to hurt Corey to come along.”
“Well, whatever, you’ve made a little boy pretty happy. And thank you for helping me out last night, too.” She rose up on her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to meet hers.
The minute their lips met Leah knew she was in trouble. She quickly discovered she wasn’t in control of anything, least of all her heart.
The woman made him crazy.
Holt looked across the herd of Herefords to see Leah riding along with Zach. The old man was right. She knew how to handle a horse. And Corey had wanted her to come with them, too.
Ordinarily he wouldn’t mind having her ride with them, until she’d planted that kiss on him this morning. A kiss so explosive he nearly lost all coherent thoughts. Then she ended it and walked out the door as easy as you please.
Well, he wasn’t going to get involved. She had nice girl written all over her. A woman who didn’t play games. She was the worse kind, a woman who wanted a permanent relationship. But he hadn’t been willing to do a lot of things until Leah Keenan came barreling into his life.
Zach walked his horse up beside him. “How you holdin’ up?”
“I’m fine. Why?”
“You keep looking in my direction.” A lazy grin spread across his weathered face. “Of course maybe it wasn’t me you’ve been lookin’ at. Could it be Leah?”
Did the old man have radar? “It’s my land, I can look anywhere I please.”
“If it helps ease your pain, she’s been stealing glances at you, too. The boy and her make a nice pair.”
Holt sighed. “You’re the only pain I have. Now, why don’t you help me get this herd into the pen?”
Zach rode off, his laughter ringing in Holt’s ears. Damn. The last thing he needed was to think about Leah all the time. He had enough on his plate with the ranch, and Corey. He didn’t want to fall for a woman who was going to be headed off to God knew what country.
He’d always been the one to walk away first. That way it didn’t hurt so much. Who was he kidding? He’d had a lot of hurt in his life. It hurt that his own mother couldn’t see past the hatred she had for his father and love her son. He hated that his own father couldn’t love him enough to come and see him.
He looked up as Leah kicked Daisy’s flanks, sending the horse into a gallop as she went after a stray. Her hair was flying in the wind, her body moved in unison with the animal. They moved as one, and he thought he’d never seen anything more graceful. Corey cheered her on as she chased down the calf and directed it back into the herd. Suddenly Leah’s attention turned to Holt and she smiled.
Or anyone more beautiful.
“This was the best day ever,” Corey said as they returned to the barn.
Zach walked by carrying his saddle. “You may not say that later when your backside is aching.”
“My backside doesn’t hurt.”
“Just give it time,” Leah said, starting to feel the effects of four hours in the saddle. “But you’re right, Corey, it was fun. It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden like that.”
“It was so cool when you went off to get the calf.”
“Well, when you’re older, you can do the same thing. I’ve had a lot of practice. Maybe …” She paused not knowing how long he’d be here. “Maybe Zach can teach you.”
“Or Holt can,” the foreman said. “He can handle a cow pony pretty good. I’d say he was a fast learner.”
The boy’s eyes rounded. “Really?”
“Well, I already knew how to ride before I came to Colorado,” Holt said. “I just had to adjust to a Western saddle.”
Zach closed the stall gate. “Yeah, Holt used to wear those fancy breeches and hat, and use a funny looking saddle.”
“That’s because it was an English saddle.” He frowned at the foreman. “We don’t chase a lot of cows back in New York.”
Zach’s eyes twinkled. “Just a funny wooden ball.”
“Polo. You played polo?” Leah asked. She couldn’t hide her surprise as her gaze roamed over the ultimate looking cowboy.
Holt glared at Zach. “I did for a few years. My grandfather belonged to a polo club. It was a tradition. Do you have a problem with that?”
Leah shook her head. This man never ceased to amaze her. Even knowing it was dangerous to her heart, she found she wanted to know more about him.
“Holt, will you teach me to play polo?” Corey asked.
“I think we’re a little busy now,” Holt told him.
“Maybe you have some pictures?”
“Not that I brought with me.” He turned away. “Maybe we should think about finishing the morning’s chores.”
“Maybe we should have lunch first,” Leah suggested. “It’s after twelve.”
“Okay, I’m getting pretty hungry,” Zach said. “What do ya say, Corey, that we head up to the house and put together some sandwiches?”
“I’m hungry, too,” the boy said.
“I’ll heat up the soup my mother sent out yesterday,” Leah called after the two as they headed toward the barn door. “Give me a few minutes.”
Leah finished with Daisy and walked out of the stall. She was about to take the saddle and bridle back to the tack room when Holt stopped her.
