Law. He looks like he could take on an entire gang of gunmen without flinching.”
“Yeah.” Joe laughed. “And spit out their bullets if they were foolish enough to fire at him.”
The two men shared a laugh while Heather merely watched in silence as the man they were discussing tossed his jacket on the passenger seat before stepping inside and driving away in a cloud of dust.
Somehow she had the impression that her father and uncle weren’t too far from the truth.
Two
Heather showered and dressed quickly, in a simple turtleneck and jeans, eager to begin her first day at the ranch. She ran a brush through her hair and tied it back with a clip, then let herself out of her room and danced barefoot down the stairs.
She knew that the tender farewell scene with her father yesterday had been much harder on him than on her. He’d felt that he was losing his baby, and had actually said as much. For her part, she felt only a sense of freedom. For the next few weeks or months she would have no commitments. Her only responsibility was to her uncle and his business affairs. That was a level of comfort that suited her far more than the corporate setting she’d had to adapt to for the past couple of years.
She smiled to herself. She was sick of business suits and cramming her feet into high-heeled pumps. Bored with long-winded presentations and working lunches. Weary of dressing up at night for black-tie charity events, and making small talk with high-powered executives who always seemed to have one eye on the media.
In the kitchen she was thrilled to discover that she was the first one up. She plugged in the coffeemaker before rummaging through the cupboards. When she located some cereal she poured a bowl, topped it with milk, and grabbed up a spoon before heading out the door. On the porch she settled herself on the top step and leaned her back against the railing, enjoying the spectacular sunrise while she ate.
The sky was ablaze with ribbons of pink and mauve and deep purple. The air was warm and dry, with just a hint of the perfume of jewel-colored dianthus and ivy in nearby terracotta planters.
Heather saw a blur of movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to look, her spoon halfway to her mouth. She nearly bobbled the spoon when she realized it was Thad Law. But this wasn’t the man in the rumpled suit that she’d met the previous day. This was a man in snug jeans and denim shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, which displayed a toned, muscled body. She knew men in her parents’ country club who worked out daily with personal trainers, hoping for a body like his.
In his arms was a cardboard box and a length of electrical wire.
Thad caught sight of her at the same moment and paused in mid-stride. Then he quickly recovered and walked closer. “’Morning.”
“Good morning. I didn’t expect to see you here this early.”
He set down his burden on the bottom step and straightened, regarding her with that piercing look. “I might say the same for you.”
She smiled easily. “I’ve always loved the morning.” She nodded toward the cereal. “Have you had your breakfast?”
“Yeah.” He arched a brow. “I didn’t take you for the cereal type.”
“Really? And what type did you think I’d be?”
“The eggs Benedict type, I guess. Or maybe the type that skips breakfast to leave room for quiche at lunch.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.” She spooned up the last of her cereal and set aside the bowl to stretch out her legs along the top step. “I made coffee. It’s on the counter inside. Help yourself.”
“Thanks.” As he started up the steps she drew her feet up to allow him to pass by. “As long as I’m pouring, would you like some?”
“Sure.”
“Cream or sugar?”
“No thanks. I take it black.”
He strode into the kitchen and returned minutes later with two cups of steaming coffee. Without a word he handed one to her.
He thought he’d prepared himself for that quick sizzle of heat, but it still managed to catch him by surprise when their fingers brushed.
He leaned his back against the rail and sipped in silence.
Heather sighed. “This is beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” He sipped. Stared. And enjoyed the view. Not just the sunrise, but also the sight of the young woman who looked better in a shirt and jeans than anyone he’d ever seen. “Worth getting up early for.”
Heather nodded toward the supplies. “What’s all this for?”
“Some security devices I want added to your uncle’s system.”
“Are you going to install it yourself?”
He shook his head. “I have some workmen coming. I just wanted to check the system and make sure I had everything I needed before they get here. No point in wasting your uncle’s time and money.”
She shot him an astonished look.
He narrowed his eyes. “What?”
She shrugged. “I’m just a little surprised. Not too many people worry about someone else’s money.”
“I suppose such things don’t matter to you.” He saw her smile fade and wished he could take back his words.
“Of course they do. But he’s my uncle. I figured you’d see him as just another rich guy in need of security, no matter what the price.”
His voice lowered with temper. “Is that what you think of me?”
“Look, Thad.” She got to her feet, coffee sloshing over the rim of her cup. “I don’t know what to think. I came here to help my uncle. Apparently you did the same. So why don’t you just do your job and ignore me.”
As she started to sweep past him, his fingers closed around her upper arm and he dragged her close. “I wish I could. In fact, I’d really like to try. But I’m afraid it might prove impossible.” His voice roughened. “I haven’t figured you out yet, Heather McGrath. Yesterday you could have been the cover model for California Career Woman, all buttoned up in that tasteful little designer suit. This morning you look like a college student on mid-term break.” His gaze swept her, from her bare toes to her ponytail, bringing high color to her cheeks. “Either way, I’m sure you’re aware of the fact that it’s impossible for a man not to notice you.”
He saw her eyes widen with surprise before narrowing to angry slits. It was the most fascinating thing to see. Even while her chin was lifting, he could almost feel her spine stiffening and white-hot fury seething through her veins.
“I don’t care how you see me, or if you see me at all. If you value your job here, I suggest you take your hand off me immediately.”
He lowered his hand to his side, and marveled at the tingling in his fingertips. The mere touch of her had started a fire in his veins that was
