since she’d been engaged twice and had both times broken the engagement after only weeks. She never let those around her see the pain and confusion she’d suffered. How could they understand? Heather had dreams of her own. Dreams she hadn’t shared with anyone, even her adored brother, Austin.
Austin. How she ached for him. She was probably the only one who could see that behind that angry, brooding facade, he was hiding a broken heart. She would give anything to help him. But she knew, with a woman’s instincts, that he would have to find his own way through the maze that his life had become.
She was suddenly relieved that she’d agreed to come here. Not only could she help her favorite uncle, but this might also prove to be the perfect break from a lifestyle that had become almost too hectic, too crammed with parties and lunches and activities. And complications, she thought grimly. A mother determined to get her only daughter married to the right man, someone who would fit in with their up-scale lifestyle. And a father who adored his only daughter and was far too willing to pull strings to get her whatever her heart desired.
The problem was, she wasn’t certain just what she wanted. She knew only what she didn’t want. She didn’t want the empty life her friends were living, and though she adored her parents, she wanted more than the life her mother lived.
Unlike her Aunt Meredith, who had allowed herself to become caught up in the pursuit of happiness to the exclusion of those around her, Heather yearned for something else. Something simpler. Right now, living and working here at her uncle’s ranch, without having to deal with outside influences, could be the antidote she’d been seeking.
Heather wasn’t sure how long she’d been standing there, lost in thought, when she sensed that she wasn’t alone. She whirled and found herself face to face with a scowling Thad Law.
“Detective.” She brought a hand to her throat in a gesture of surprise. “I didn’t hear you.”
There was a breathy quality to her voice that intrigued him. If he hadn’t noticed it earlier in her uncle’s office, he’d write it off as nerves. Without realizing it, his frown deepened. He took a step closer, until they were mere inches apart.
With each step that he took toward her, she had an almost overpowering urge to step back, out of reach. Foolish, she knew, but the feeling was too strong to deny. This man made her uncomfortable. Odd, since she’d never before been anything but completely comfortable in the presence of men. But then, this man wasn’t like any she’d ever met.
Though she thought of herself as tall, she had to tip her head back to see his face. He had to be several inches over six feet, with broad shoulders and a powerfully muscled chest. For a big man he moved with surprising catlike grace.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” His voice was low and deep, with a hint of impatience.
“You could have warned me you were here.” She had the distinct impression that he’d been there for some time, watching her, and had been as uncomfortable as she when she’d turned and caught sight of him.
“And interrupt those deep thoughts of yours?”
So, he had been watching her.
When he drew close she saw again that piercing stare. It had the strangest effect on her. She’d thought his eyes dark, but in the sunlight streaming through the windows she could see that they were a deep midnight blue.
A breeze flitted through the open window, flinging a lock of her hair across her face. Without warning he lifted a finger to it and brushed it aside. It was the slightest touch, and yet it sent a jolt of electricity charging through her system with all the force of a lightning bolt.
At that simple touch she stood perfectly still, absorbing the tremors that rocked her. Her eyes widened and she had to clasp her hands together to keep from flinching.
Had he felt it, too, or was she the only one affected like this? A quick glance at his face revealed only a slight narrowing of his eyes. But it was enough to tell her that he wasn’t as cool and disinterested as he tried to appear.
He cleared his throat. “Did I understand that you’re going to be living here?”
She nodded, afraid to trust her voice.
“For how long?”
She swallowed and prayed she wouldn’t sound as uneasy as she felt. “I don’t really know.” She looked at him, then away. “I guess I’ll be here for as long as my uncle needs me.”
“Needs you for what?”
“He’s been spending most of his time here since the…” She couldn’t bring herself to mention the shooting. “Since his party. And because I’m familiar with the work, I offered to come here and act as his assistant.”
“I see.” He glanced around. “Have you considered the isolation of this place?”
She nodded. “That’s part of its charm.”
“For a week or two maybe. After that, when people realize they can’t shop at high-priced boutiques, or reserve a table at a fancy restaurant, the charm starts to wear thin. How long do you think you can stand it, Miss McGrath?”
“I told you. For as long as my uncle needs me.”
“Even if it turns out to be months?”
She nodded. “That’s right.” She arched a brow. “Is that a look of skepticism, Detective?”
“Could be. Personally I doubt you’ll last more than a week or two before you get the urge to race back to civilization.”
“Is that so? You wouldn’t care to bet on that, would you?”
For the first time his lips curved slightly, the only hint of humor. “Are you asking a man of the law to gamble?”
“Afraid you’ll lose?”
He continued staring at her. “Are you a betting woman, Miss McGrath?”
“I’ve been known to make a wager or two.”
“Have you now?” He gave her a measuring look that had the heat rising to her cheeks. “Five bucks says you’re bored out of your mind and out of here within two weeks.” He stuck out his hand. “Deal?”
She glanced down at his hand, then up into those challenging eyes. “Oh, yeah. How can I resist such an easy way to make five dollars? You’re on, Detective.”
He closed his hand over hers and, too late, she remembered how she’d felt the first time his hand had held hers. The heat was back, racing along her spine, surging through her veins. But when she tried to pull free, he merely drew her closer, until his lips hovered just above hers. “My friends call me Thad.”
“Really?” She wanted to look away, but wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Instead she lifted her head, forcing herself to meet that steely gaze. “Then I guess I’ll call you Detective Law, because I don’t see the two of us becoming friends. Would you like to pay up now? Or are you going to make me wait until the two weeks are up?”
He chuckled. He’d give her this much. She didn’t back down. “You haven’t won anything yet, Miss McGrath. As
