Page 43 of The Cowboy’s Reckoning

“Tolerate?” He took a few easy steps toward her, hooking his thumbs in his front pockets when he came to a stop a few feet away.

“If I grit my teeth.”

His smile nearly knocked her over. “Just checking.”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

His tongue worked in his cheek before he said, “Because you’re good with my company.”

Hearing her words echoed back to her had a sobering effect. “That sounds cold, doesn’t it?”

“Sounds like a person who’s being upfront in an uncertain situation.”

She gave a slow nod, appreciating his take. “Yeah. I’ll go with that.”

He tilted his head, his eyelids lowering as he studied her face. “So will I.”

Lil’s breath caught at the sheer sensuality of his gaze, but she managed to fake a half-smile. Oh yes. So in control. “I’d best be going.”

“Probably.”

“I’m not running away,” she said.

“I know.”

But just in case he didn’t, she took a step closer, stopping with their boot toes all but touching. “See?” The air seemed to crackle between them.

“I dare you,” he said.

She dared. She took his face in her hands and eased his lips down to hers for a gossamer kiss.

“Not running,” she said against his lips.

His hands came to her waist, but she stepped back before he could turn the kiss into everything her body was crying out for. There were points to be made, and chores to be done.

“I have horses to train.”

Jordan’s forehead wrinkled. “Right.”

Lil walked to her truck, parts of her body aflame, but thinking all the same that she needed to tackle more of life that way.

The training rides went well, perhaps because the horses sensed a newfound determination in Lil. There were so many things in her life over which she’d had no control and had simply had to wait and see how they played out, including recent events, that having something she could manage was remarkably freeing.

She’d just released Fancy, her last ride of the day, when the barn door rolled open and Wade came out.

“Good rides?” he asked.

“Yes. And thank you for feeding these guys for me.”

“It’s just a matter of tossing a few flakes,” he said before shifting his feet in the gravel. “Don’t mind at all. And however this works out, you, and your horses, are welcome back at any time.”

“Thank you.”

“About Dakota.”

“What about him?”

“Well, he’s welcome to stay on here until Jordan moves back. He’s a good worker and we can keep him busy.”