the bum leg.” The corner of her mouth quirked—nearly a smile.
“Right.”
“Were you in a car accident?”
He shrugged. “You could say that. My truck ran over an IED in Iraq. That’s an—”
She held up a hand. “I know what it is. Improvised explosive device. My husband Jamie was killed by one. In Iraq.”
Daniel swore under his breath. “I’m sorry.” Grabbing his cane, he started to get up. “The last thing I want to do is remind you of your loss. I’ll let you enjoy your dinner in peace.”
Willa could have let him go. She’d looked forward to dinner by herself, hadn’t wanted to share a meal with this…this intruder.
Yet she found herself on her feet, putting a hand on his arm to stop him before he moved away.
“Don’t leave, Daniel.” She met his troubled blue gaze with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry I’ve been so rude. We can’t go anywhere else while this storm lasts, and we’re going to be neighbors. Let’s get to know each other.”
Chapter Two
By the time their salads were served, Willa was no longer surprised to find herself chuckling, even laughing aloud, at some of Daniel’s comments. He possessed a wealth of stories about his travels with the Army, along with a charming, humorous way of telling them.
She’d offered a few details about her family—thirteen-year-old twins Robbie and Susannah, ten-year-old Toby, plus Jamie’s aunts, Rosa and Lilianna, who lived with them and took care of the house. The margarita she’d enjoyed with their tortilla chips and salsa had helped her relax, of course. Now they were sharing a pitcher of sangria, a temptation she hadn’t indulged in since before Jamie had left. For the first time in more than two years, Willa allowed her worries to slip to the back of her mind while she concentrated on the here and now.
“Here and now” being an incredibly attractive man who seemed to be enjoying himself very much indeed. She took a sip of the wine, then another, and voiced the question that had been on her mind all afternoon. “What made you decide to take up ranching? I mean…you don’t have the background, or a family connection. And it’s not exactly a career the military trains you for, right?”
“Right.” He watched the wine slosh gently as he rolled the stem of his goblet between two fingers. “I guess it sounds pretty crazy. Everybody I’ve talked to thinks so…including you.” His grin flashed. “It was about a year ago, I guess, I was sitting in some doctor’s office for what seemed like appointment one thousand, facing more surgery and time in a hospital bed. I picked up one of those magazines about the West, and started looking at an article on some big actor’s ‘alternative lifestyle.’”
With a glance at her face, he continued. “Gorgeous scenery, working outside in the fresh air and sunshine with animals and nature—what’s not to like?”
Willa rolled her eyes. “I could give you a list a mile long.”
He held up a hand. “Leave me my illusions, for a few more days, at least. After twelve years in the Army, I knew I wanted to be my own boss, make my own decisions. Ranching seemed to me—still seems—like an independent, productive way to live.”
Willa decided to forbear commenting on his naiveté. “I haven’t seen too many famous actors buying up land in Zapata County. So why did you decide on south Texas? What made you decide to buy my…this particular piece of land? How many other ranches did you see?”
Daniel shook his head. “Not a single one. I read your ad…‘For Sale, 1000 Acres of the beautiful Wild Horse Desert in the heart of Texas cattle country. House and barn ready for occupation. Your dream is waiting!’” He pretended to slap himself, first one cheek and then the other. “That’s all it took.”
Willa gazed at him in confusion. “When did you come down to visit? Seems like I would have met…” She stumbled to a stop as he shook his head.
“I didn’t visit. I liked the sound of the Wild Horse Desert and Texas. There was a house and a barn and a thousand acres of land. I didn’t need to know anything else. I called the real estate agent that afternoon and made the offer.”
The idea of such impetuosity left Willa breathless and uneasy. “That’s…that’s a big risk, don’t you think? With a lot of money?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “My parents left me a healthy life insurance policy and some very smart investments. Sometimes you have to go with your gut instincts. And my instincts tell me that the New Moon ranch is just what I want.” He leaned toward her, holding out the pitcher. “More wine?”
“I shouldn’t.” But she didn’t draw her glass away. Yes, she was a little buzzed, but what was the harm? The kids were safe at home—she’d called to check on them and the ranch before she’d come down to dinner. And she wouldn’t be driving tonight, thanks to the storm. After two years of being in charge, of always staying in control, couldn’t she have just one carefree evening?
“Such a serious face,” Daniel said. “What are you thinking about?”
Willa shook her head, then blew out a deep breath of relief. “Responsibility, and how good it feels to let go a little.”
Daniel nodded, and held up his own wineglass in a toast. “To freedom,” he said.
Smiling, Willa clinked her rim against his. “To freedom.” They drank, holding each other’s gazes, and she felt a quiver deep inside, where nothing had stirred for a long, long time.
“Fajitas?” a distant voice said. “Enchiladas royale?”
“Dinner.” Willa broke her connection with Daniel and looked at the waiter. “Just in time. I’m…um…starving.”
“Me, too,” she heard Daniel murmur. “Me, too.”
SEVERAL HOURS LATER, WILLA leaned a shoulder against the wall as she and Daniel waited for the elevator. “I haven’t had this much to drink in years,” she confessed. “I’ll be sorry tomorrow morning.”
“Me, too.” He nodded slowly. “But sometimes you just have to cut loose, you know?”
The door beside her slid open and Willa tipped herself inside the elevator. “I guess. And you do tell some outrageously hila…hilarious jokes.”
With a line of concentration between his eyebrows, Daniel studied the elevator control panel. “What floor are you on?”
“Three.”
His eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Me, too.” After a couple of misses, he managed to stab the button. “Funny we didn’t see each other earlier.”
“Funny.” The car started with a jerk and the spin in Willa’s head accelerated. She balanced against the wall behind her and closed her eyes, which did not help, so she opened them to look straight across at Daniel. He was smiling as he looked back at her. Through the haze of alcohol surrounding them, she recognized the glint in his eyes for what it was. Desire, pure and simple. Daniel Trent was thinking about taking her to bed.
She’d
