relieved that she’d delivered her exit line and could be on her way.
But before she had gone two paces, Jess’s hand closed around her arm, bringing her to a halt. His calluses were rough against her skin but instead of feeling abrasive, they caused an intense sensual stirring deep within. She rebelled against this sensation. I am not my mother, she seethed at herself. Aloud she snapped, “Let go of me,” and attempted to twist free.
Jess released her and held up his hand in a sign of peace. “Okay, okay. I didn’t want to turn this into another of our skirmishes. All I want is to pacify Morning Hawk.” A dry smile curled one corner of his mouth. “And save you some trouble. She’s got her mind set on you doing this for her and she’ll pester you until you do. Believe me, I know.”
Gwen held her arms stiffly at her sides, fighting the urge to rub off the lingering effect of his touch while she considered his words. She guessed he was right. It was common knowledge that when Morning Hawk set her mind to something, it remained set. Besides, she did owe the woman for talking her out of doing something that could have proved to be very foolish. This would clear up that debt, then she would never have to have anything to do with any of the Logans or their kin again. “Okay,” she agreed grudgingly. “But I won’t take your money. I’ll bill your grandmother for my time like I would any other client. And,” she added firmly, “I’ll do my best to find suitable candidates. I hope you’ll treat them with respect.”
“I always treat women with respect.”
Gwen gave him a dry look, then strode out of the room. A curl of guilt wove through her. The skeptical glance she’d tossed at him had been unfair. The truth was she had no reason to doubt his statement. In fact, she had every reason to accept it as fact. She’d never known him to treat anyone with disrespect unless they deserved it.
Morning Hawk was waiting on the porch. “Well, will you accept my quest?”
“I’ll find three candidates.”
Morning Hawk grinned widely. “I’m sure you’ll seek out the perfect wife for my great-grandson.” Her manner became businesslike. “Do you want to move in tonight or wait until tomorrow?”
Gwen stared. “Move in?” she finally managed to choke out.
“Well, of course. You have to get to know Jess before you can find a match for him.”
“I don’t think getting to know him will prove useful. You can both just give me a list of criteria and I’ll go from there.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. To do the job right will require much more knowledge than what we can put on paper.”
“Really, Great-Grandma.” Jess stepped out onto the porch. Obviously he’d been listening from the hall and decided that his intervention was necessary. “There’s no reason for Gwen to move in.”
“This is your life. She must understand it and you to find the right woman for you.”
It was clear to Gwen from the expression on Jess’s face that he didn’t like the idea of her living under his roof any more than she did. “I’m sure Jess has a very good idea of the wife he wants. He can simply describe her to me and I’ll go from there.”
“Fantasies never work out well. He needs a real woman who will fit into his life.” Morning Hawk’s tone became sterner. “And not one who’s simply after his money.”
“I’m not stupid enough to be taken in by a gold digger,” Jess growled.
Morning Hawk tossed him an indulgent look. “Any man can be taken in by a pretty face and good figure. And that’s what the service Gwen provides will protect against. She goes beyond face value. Anyone she finds for you will be trustworthy as well as fit your requirements.”
Jess breathed a resigned sigh. “She can move in today. The sooner we get started, the better.”
“I really d—” Gwen started to protest.
“A person could get the idea that you’re afraid of sharing the same roof with me,” Jess cut her off, challenge again in his eyes.
Gwen’s shoulders stiffened. “I’m most certainly not intimidated by the likes of you, Jess Logan.” Heading to her car, she added over her shoulder, “I’ll go get my things and be back in a couple of hours.”
Driving away, she glanced in her rearview mirror to see Jess stalk back into the house. She rolled her eyes toward the heavens. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” Abruptly, a crooked grin tilted one corner of her mouth. She wasn’t alone. Both she and Jess Logan had been manipulated by Morning Hawk. And the thought of him being maneuvered into a corner by the elderly woman made the situation laughable. Almost laughable, she corrected, reminding herself that she was in the same corner.
Chapter Two
An uneasy feeling ran through Gwen as she parked in front of the Logan ranch house later that day. Her father had exited her life even before she was born. When she was seventeen, her mother had died. Since then, she’d lived alone and grown used to her solitary existence.
“I had Lilly make up a room for you.” Jess greeted her, coming out of the house and heading to her car.
“Lilly?” Gwen had been under the impression Jess and Morning Hawk were the only people occupying the house.
“Our housekeeper. Lilly Chambers,” Jess elaborated. “She was in town doing some grocery shopping when you were here earlier.”
Gwen chided herself mentally. Of course the Logans would have a housekeeper. “Thanks,” she replied curtly, using terseness to hide her growing nervousness.
“Look, I’m not any happier about this than you are,” he returned with equal animosity, “but we’ve made a bargain and we might as well be civil about it.”
“I’m used to living alone.” She tried to school the tenseness out of her voice but an edge remained. Not wanting him to guess how uneasy he made her, especially after that unnerving reaction she’d had to his touch, she added, “I guess I’m a little short on people skills.”
“You always have been.”
She bit back a retort. She had good reason for being the way she was, but that was her own private hell and no one else’s and she had no intention of revealing it just to justify her behavior.
Jess’s eyebrow raised in a questioning arch when she made no response. Then obviously accepting her silence as an end to the conversation, he picked up her satchel and computer bag.
Gwen grabbed at it. “I can carry my own things.”
“My mother taught me to be polite to guests.”
“Well, I’m no guest. I’m an employee.”
“You’re a female. I’d never hear the end of it from the women in my family if I didn’t carry your bag.”
Realizing she was fighting a losing battle, she shrugged and reached into the car for the old wooden baseball bat lying on the floor.
Surprise
