The guest bath was as large as her apartment bedroom, the white fixtures brightened with red towels hanging on the rack next to a walk-in shower. The stark subway tile was broken up with narrower rows of red tiles that matched the backsplash behind the vanity. Aislyn yearned to spend an hour under the rain showerhead but quickly used the facility and opened the door when she heard Gavin return with her suitcase. She was both disappointed and glad to note he had buttoned his shirt, wanting but not needing the distraction of all that muscled, sun-bronzed skin.
“Is that all you brought?” he asked, setting her suitcase on the bed and the tray holding a steaming plate on the end table.
“Yes. I was in a hurry. Thank you, Gavin.”
He nodded, his expression unreadable. “Eat something before you turn in. We’ll talk tomorrow. Goodnight, Aislyn.”
“Goodnight,” she returned as he closed the door behind him. Sinking down onto the bed, she ate what she could of the plate piled with spaghetti, but given the state of her jittery stomach, that wasn’t much. After changing into her night shorts and washing her face, she crawled into the queen sized bed, feeling more alone with all the extra space than she was used to at home in her wide single.
A cool breeze wafted in from the window along with the occasional lowing from cattle, an owl’s nighttime hoot and the far-off howl of a coyote or wolf completed the ensemble. Such different sounds than she was used to in the city, but in a good way she discovered as her eyelids grew heavy. She closed her eyes, the piercing green glow of the wolf’s gaze who had appeared to keep watch over her earlier popping into her head. It surprised her how quickly her initial fear of the animal had abated, but then, the day had been fraught with surprises that had wrenched her out of the comfort zone of her staid existence.
The clamor of ranch life awoke Aislyn early the next morning, and she rolled over to shield her eyes against the sun’s glare streaming in through the window. With a groan, she got up and closed it, the day already warming up. Daylight offered her the first glimpse of the ranch, several large barns in the distance, cowboys mounted up and heading out to tend cattle, she presumed, and the golden expanse of waving wheat fields as far as the eye could see. She hadn’t ridden since childhood, before her parents died, but still remembered the fun of sitting up high, the power of the animal racing across the meadow surrounding the local stables.
Time was of the essence, and if she intended to get to know Gavin again, she needed to get a move on before he took off for work. Passing the night table on her way to the bathroom, she noticed the dinner tray was gone and she’d never heard him come in to retrieve it. Coming here must be good for her if she could sleep that soundly after everything that had happened to her yesterday.
After a quick shower, she dressed in jeans and a sky blue tee shirt sporting a pink flamingo saying, ‘It’s wine o’clock somewhere’. Padding down the hall, she followed the aroma of coffee until she reached the kitchen, her heart executing a slow roll at seeing Gavin leaning against the counter, holding out a steaming mug. Tight denim molded to his muscled thighs, the sleeves of his work shirt rolled up to reveal his corded forearms, his broad shoulders stretching the thin cotton at the seams. The sight of him packed as big a wallop as always and distracted her from her problem until he spoke.
“You look better this morning. Are you ready to talk to me about what brought you here?”
Taking the mug, Aislyn stalled, sipping the steaming coffee laced with creamer, just the way she liked it. She should have known he wouldn’t settle for her asking for a place to stay for a few days without an explanation. How could she have forgotten his penchant for control? Stepping away from him, she put the long, granite-topped kitchen counter between them before replying, “I don’t want to burden you with my problems, Gavin. I’m just asking for a place to stay for a short time. If you can give me a few days, I’d appreciate it. If you’d rather I leave, I’ll go now.” She held her breath as his eyes flashed with frustration before a contemplative look stole over his face. The vivid green stood out even brighter than she remembered against his tanned, swarthy complexion, but his coal black hair still framed his face, curling around his ears and collar like before.
Instead of giving her a direct answer, he nodded curtly, saying, “I fixed you some eggs and bacon.” He slid a covered plate toward her she hadn’t noticed before. “If you’re quick, you can ride out to the stables with me and I’ll show you around. You once mentioned how much you love animals. If that includes horses, we have a premature foal whose mother died in birthing and needs special attention. Tending her would give you something to do, if you’re interested.”
Gavin always had known which carrot to dangle in front of her she couldn’t resist, and Aislyn mentally marked one point in his unchanged column. “I’m interested.” Lifting the lid off the plate, steam billowed from the scrambled eggs and her stomach rumbled. She caught his small smile as he turned away and she released a breath at that sign of softening. “I’ll eat fast.”
“Meet me out front when you’re done.”
Chapter Three
Gavin’s reputation for patience was in serious jeopardy. He’d experienced the surge of lust and protectiveness that was expected when near the only person who could complete his life every time he’d been with Aislyn. But the anger was new, aimed at the
