Cowgirls Don't Cry(26)

                “I got a little wet getting the horses in. Chance offered me his shirt.” Of course, his shirt was on the floor, along with hers. That elicited a quirked brow from the older man. She sucked in a deep breath and reached for her inner adult. “If you don’t mind, Uncle Boots, we’ll see you up at the house in a few minutes.”

                Boots glanced at his watch, stared at her then favored Chance with a scowl. “Five minutes or I’m coming back. With Winnie.”

                As the old man exited the barn, Chance cut his eyes to her. “Winnie?” His whisper raised goose bumps on her rapidly chilling flesh.

                “Winnie is his Winchester shotgun.”

                “We’ll be right behind you, sir.”

                A giggle burbled up from nowhere at Chance’s quick reply, and she hissed out, “It’s not like he’ll make you marry me or anything.”

                The man in front of her stilled. Completely, totally, not-even-breathing stilled. As quick as a snake, his head whipped around, and his eyes bored into hers. She choked off another giggle and stared back, wide-eyed and startled.

                “That’s a joke, Chance.” She reached for him but seeing his expression, her hands plummeted to her sides like rocks.

                “Marrying me would be a joke?”

                Cass pressed back against the wall. This was a side of him she’d never guess at, and one that scared her just a little. This was a man used to getting everything he wanted. “No.” Her brain whirled as she searched for the words to get her out of this. Where had this intensity come from? Why did he look both angry and hurt? They hadn’t even gone on a date yet—making out in the barn did not count.

                “Shotgun wedding, Chance. That’s the joke. Us getting married? You have to admit that’s a bit far-fetched. We just met. And besides, just because I took a leave of absence from my job doesn’t mean that I’m not going back to Chicago once I get the ranch squared away.”

                He trapped her with his hands braced against the wall on either side of her head. “What’s that mean?”

                “What do you think it means? I live in Chicago, Chance. I have a good job there. Friends. A life that’s not here on a ranch. I plan to sell Dad’s cattle, settle his debts and sell this place if I can so I can take care of Boots. And Buddy. Maybe a couple of the horses. Find a couple of acres where they’ll be happy.” She lifted one shoulder in a negligent shrug. “I’m not a cowgirl.”

                “So...going out with me is basically a one-night stand for you?”

                She furrowed her brow as he tossed her own words back in her face. His attitude totally confused her. “You’re getting way ahead of yourself, Chance. Yeah, we generate some heat, but it’s just sex.” She stared at him, trying to read his expression. “Isn’t it? We don’t know each other well enough for it to be anything else.”

                He pressed closer, crowding her, and she almost got dizzy from lack of oxygen. Cass inhaled sharply, ducked under his arm and slipped into the tack room. She emerged wearing a windbreaker and bent over to snag her T-shirt and his work shirt, which she tossed in his direction. “I’ll be ready at five if you still want to take me out. If you don’t show up, I’ll understand.”

                With as much dignity as she could muster, she pivoted and marched to the door. Luckily, Boots had left it open, and she managed to step outside without tripping. The storm was gone, the black, roiling clouds with jagged lightning pushing on to the east, leaving wet grass and mud behind. Buddy dashed past her and raced to the house, leaving her to follow a bit more sedately in his path despite the fact she wanted to run.