Spurs and Heels(Divine Creek Ranch 5)(3)

her as Ash sat down on the glider. She didn’t have to look up to know

it was him because that was just her luck tonight.

“Here.” He offered her an inch of whiskey in a shot glass.

Chuckling, she took it from him and tossed it back then handed

him the glass. Tears welled in her eyes as her throat caught fire.

“Thank you.”

“You looked like you needed it.”

“Did you hear?” She couldn’t muster any indignation if he had.

“Only part of it. I’m sorry. I looked out here, and you looked

upset and…I don’t know. I thought the shot might help whatever was

wrong. I didn’t intend to eavesdrop.”

“It’s all right. It doesn’t matter.” She meant it, too. “I suppose it

wasn’t the most meaningful relationship in recorded history.”

“Still, it’s hard when someone leaves your life that you count on

to be there.” He said it in a kind tone with the hint of a Southern

drawl. His voice did tingly things to her insides that were in direct

contrast to the emotional storm growing inside her.

“I should go pack his things.” He caught her hand as she rose

from the glider and she turned to him. His hands were warm, the

palms and fingertips callused. Lawrence’s hands had been smooth, his

nails manicured. Ash’s touch shot a bolt of sensation through her

body, centering in her rapidly warming core.

“You should stay and have fun. Have a few more drinks with me.”

His thumb stroked over her knuckles, sending repeating tingles up and

down her spine, warring with the pain that was burgeoning in her

chest. Her body felt at odds with itself, but the pain was starting to

win out.

“Why?”

Make it quick, mister, because the clock is ticking down on my

hissy-fit-o-meter. Did he take perverse pleasure in watching her fall apart?



Spurs and Heels

15

“Because you can’t shut out the world. Those are your friends in

there, right? I mean you know a bunch of them, don’t you? And now

you know me. Don’t go home and hide.” His tone was soothing but

challenging at the same time.

“Thank you for your advice, cowboy, but I know what I need right

now. I need to clear him out of my life, out of my house.”

“Tomorrow is soon enough. Stay.” His persuasive voice was hard

to ignore.

A lump formed in her throat, and muscles in her chest and

shoulders grew tense as reality started to set in. She’d trusted

Lawrence, and he’d cheated on her.

She wasn’t sure if the heat in her cheeks was from the whiskey or

from her impending emotional breakdown, but she was sure she did

not want to be in his presence for it.

“Let me go get Grace for you,” he whispered, patting her shoulder

as he rose from the glider.

“No, I need to leave.” Juliana stood and picked up her purse. “If

she asks, tell her I’ll call her this week.” She couldn’t even commit to

calling her tomorrow because Juliana knew she’d be incredibly busy.

All her friends were used to not hearing from her for days or weeks at

a time. She was always busy. “Thanks for the drink, Ash.”





* * * *



Ash gently grasped her wrist. “At least tell Grace good-bye.” He

might be a man, but he understood Juliana was fighting tears and

wouldn’t want him to see her like that.

Trying to egg her on a little and get her to show some of the spunk

and spirit he knew she hid beneath her cool exterior, he said, “Don’t

run like a coward.” Unfortunately, she didn’t take it the way he

planned.



16

Heather Rainier

“I am no coward, Mister Helper, and you can kiss my lily-white

ass!” she hissed. She yanked her arm away from him and stomped

down to the end of the wraparound porch.

Ash smiled as he watched that gorgeous redhead disappear from

sight. He’d been partially successful. She’d shown that there was

definitely a fire burning in there, but he’d not succeeded in getting her

to stay. His consolation, however, was in watching the

aforementioned ass twitch and sway as she angrily walked away.

“Mm-mm-mm. I’d gladly pay money to kiss that sexy ass.” He’d

replay that lovely image in his mind later. Left, right, left.

She had a body that wouldn’t quit, she was newly single, and she

had him hard as a steel pole. His cock didn’t appreciate being

blocked, and he reminded himself she wasn’t the type to put out easily

anyway. “Down, boy.”





* * * *



Juliana glumly stared at the box of Lawrence’s personal effects

sitting on the chair opposite her desk when Leah Woodworth walked