Snowdance

Chapter 1

Grizzly, Montana 1890

"Michelle," cried the blond woman standing at the window. "Come here.
He's coming."
Michelle came across the restaurant quickly to stand next to the woman
gazing out the large picture window. "Where," she asked eagerly peering
out?
"There! Across from the mercantile," Renee Connors answered
breathlessly. "The one coming this direction. My goodness, he sits a
horse well." Renee took a deep breath before pulling back from the
window and fanning her face with an exaggerated motion. "Didn't I tell
you?"
Michelle pulled back as well and smiled at the beautiful woman in
front of her, once again admiring her fair beauty in such a harsh land.
"Good luck taming that one Renee."
"Oh, I don't think it'll be a problem," Renee answered coyly. "He was
in here most of last week before moving into his ranch. We spent a lot
of time getting to know one another." Renee couldn't help smoothing the
skirt of her dress down as she walked across the floor. She spent
considerable time with her looks, hoping for just the opportunity that
had presented itself.
"Well, what's he like," Michelle asked, knowing Renee would lunge at
the opening.
Neither woman paid any attention to the one patron sitting in the
corner of the restaurant sipping coffee and watching the all too
amusing scene before her. Patricia MacKenzie shook her head at the
distraction and continued going through her mail. She had heard all
about the new rancher from the east coast. Her father couldn't say
enough good things about the man. Patricia knew it was his quiet way of
saying she needed a husband. It had taken two days before her father
had given up hope that she would ride over and introduce herself since
she hadn't been there the night this Mr. Rayne had come over.
Ignoring the restaurant door opening, Patricia was startled when
Renee's almost shout reverberated across the room. "Mr. Rayne! What a
pleasure to see you again," she called while gliding toward the
man.
Patricia didn't hear the softly spoken response, but smiled to herself
at Renee's coy laughter that followed. She couldn't count the number of
men Renee had gone through trying to land herself a rich husband and
get away from the restaurant. Most men didn't last long when they
realized how shallow the woman was.
"Let me introduce you to our school teacher, Michelle Taylor," Renee
continued. Michelle had gotten up from her seat and walked gracefully
across the room as Renee finished her statement. "Michelle, Trevor
Rayne. He just bought the Rogers ranch." Renee was trying desperately
to impress the woman with her knowledge of the newcomer, along with
staking her claim.
The rich timber of Trevor Rayne's voice finally reached Patricia as he
shook Michelle's hand politely. Finally glancing up from her work, she
found herself slowly raising her gaze up and up until finally locking
with the clearest blue eyes she had ever seen. Her coffee cup stopped
halfway to her mouth as she continued to stare at the sculpted face of
a man she had never seen but instantly felt some kind of connection
too. His dark brown hair was cut close but had a slight wave to it that
caused it to seem unruly. His tanned features proved he had spent a
great deal of time outside but the intelligence in his eyes said he
wasn't the average cowboy just wandering through. But she also noticed
a sadness lurking behind those blue depths that she wondered
about.
Patricia was glad Renee decided to bring the attention back to
herself. "Let me get you a cup of coffee, Mr. Rayne. Won't you sit
down?" Renee quickly stepped between the locked gazes of the pair as
she slid across the room to prepare a cup of coffee. Her ploy worked as
Patricia quickly looked away from the towering figure before her.
Although Patricia had dropped her gaze when Renee had spoken, she felt
his presence as he made his way over to her table. Get control of
yourself girl, she admonished herself. Before glancing back up, she
quickly schooled her features to show the perfect blank expression that
most people knew so well. She tried to ignore the racing of her heart
as he came to a stop by her table. Casually glancing up, she realized
how tall this man actually was.
Trevor Rayne stood quietly for a moment, studying the woman sitting in
front of him. He had been completely taken aback when their eyes had
locked a moment before. Never had he seen such deep emerald eyes in a
face that showed a strength you didn't find in a woman where he came
from. To say this woman was beautiful was not doing her justice. Her
face was golden from hours spent in the sun, but still had the sheen of
youth. As her eyes slowly raised to meet his again, he was caught again
by the strength he saw reflected in their depths. "Trevor Rayne," he
introduced himself, extending his hand.
"Patricia MacKenzie. But most people call me Mac." Mac replied,
thrilled that her voice remained steady and didn't give away any of the
inner turmoil she was feeling. She reached to take his hand and was
startled when her hand was quickly engulfed by his larger one.
"Well that explains a lot," Trevor said smiling.
Mac felt like someone had roped the sun and pulled it inside as she
watched a smile spread across Trevor's face. It literally lit up the
entire room and caused her breath to catch.
Realizing she was loosing control over the situation and not liking it
at all, she quickly looked away. "Explains what, Mr. Rayne," she asked
sharply?
"Mr. MacKenzie couldn't stop talking about a mysterious Mac the other
night. He didn't explain that he had a daughter."
Mac didn't get a chance to respond as Renee came back to stand very
close to Trevor and hand him his coffee. "I see you've met our
notorious Mac," she stated coolly.
Trevor didn't miss the rolling of Mac's eyes as she looked up at
Renee. He had already pegged Renee for another of the women he had
become so familiar with through out his twenty eight years. But he
wasn't looking for a wife. Now or ever. Luckily, another patron entered
the restaurant causing Renee to leave them again.
"May I join you," Trevor asked?
Mac never looked up from the letter she was reading as she motioned to
the chair across from her. Damn! Damn! You can do this! Knowing she was
being rude to the man across from her, Mac laid the letter down and
brought her eyes up to meet his. "I understand you purchased the Roger
spread. Have you ever run cattle before, Mr. Rayne?" She knew he had
from her father, but was grasping at something to say.
Trevor smiled at the beautiful woman across from him. He admired the
strength he saw in her and wondered at what in her life could have
caused it. It hadn't registered with him until now that she wore a dark
blue chambray work shirt that pulled across the fullness of her
breasts. Adding that to the fact he had felt calluses on her hand when
he had shook it made him realize she was not an ordinary woman. "Well,
Ms. MacKenzie, I have some experience. I helped my father with a small
ranch in New York."
Mac was taken aback by the smooth richness of his voice as she
listened to his words. It washed over her like a soothing balm. Leaning
back in her chair, she reached to play with the long braid that had
fallen over her shoulder. She always did it when she was uncomfortable
with a situation. Somehow, this man had managed to completely relax her
with a simple statement about ranching and it bothered her that he
could get under her skin so quickly. She always kept a cool distance
from newcomers. She had been burned before. "Please, call me Mac. I've
never liked 'Ms. MacKenzie' very much," she smiled at him.
"Only if you call me Trevor," he smiled back. As they continued to
gauge one another, neither noticed the hostile stare they were
receiving from across the room from Renee.
"Dad said you wanted to ride up to the high country and get a look
around," Mac continued. "I've got one more day up there if you'd like
to ride up with me?" Now why had she gone and done that?
"Great. When did you want to go?" It was amazing how at ease Mac was
putting him. She wasn't trying to be coy or flirt with him like most
did.
"I'll head out tomorrow morning around six."
"I'll be there."
Both of them jumped at the door slamming open, revealing a rather
plump woman in her fifties. After scanning the room briefly, her cold
eyes landed on Mac and immediately she started for the table. "Patricia
MacKenzie! I can't believe what I just heard. Even about you!"
Trevor glanced away from the woman to look at Mac and noticed the
completely exasperated look on her face. He also was aware of Renee
coming back over to the table with a joyous look on her face.
"Mrs. Abernathy," Mac said coolly as the woman stopped in front of the
table.
Absolutely ignoring Trevor as he stood out of politeness, Mrs.
Abernathy continued with her tirade. "How dare you speak to a child
that way!"
Completely unshaken by the woman's attitude, Mac sipped her coffee
casually waiting for the woman to finish. "You have no right to speak
to another human being that way, much less a child! What were you
thinking?"
Trevor watched the calm control come over Mac's features as she
weighed her response to the overbearing woman shouting at her. Although
he had no idea what had happened, he had a sudden urge to protect the
woman sitting in front of him. Before he could utter a word, Mac spoke
up in a very calm tone that most people who knew her would have
recognized as pure anger.
"I assume you are talking about Tommy?" she asked.
"You know I am!" shouted the Mrs. Abernathy. "He was just in the store
almost in tears telling me what happened and how you shouted and cursed
at him. And just a child?"
"That 'child' is thirteen years old," Mac interrupted the tirade, her
voice sharp. Standing quickly, Trevor was amazed that Mac stood a full
head taller than Mrs. Abernathy. "That 'child' knows better than to
crack a whip in front of a team of horses pulling a laden wagon." Mac's
voice never climbed even as her anger threatened to overwhelm her.
"That 'child' almost killed three people including himself. Now if my
words upset him, which I seriously doubt, maybe they will make him
think twice the next time he's trying to impress his friends." Anger
danced in Mac's eyes as she stared at the woman before her. She
completely ignored the startled gasps that came from both Renee and
Mrs. Abernathy.
"That was a little harsh, don't you think," Renee asked quietly,
wanting to drive home to Trevor just how uncouth she thought Mac was.
"I doubt it was as bad as all that, Mac."
Stormy eyes quickly flashed in Renee's direction. "Stay out of this
Renee," Mac snapped.
"If your mother was here?" Mrs. Abernathy started, only to be stopped
short with a harsh look from Mac.
Trevor hadn't thought Mac's eyes could become more cold. He was very
mistaken as he watched the interaction between the three women.
Although he wasn't sure anyone else saw the flicker of pain flash in
her eyes, he had and wondered what had happened.
"If my mother were here, I would probably be like every other
simpering fool woman in this town?"
"Ladies," Trevor interrupted, abruptly cutting off whatever Mac was
getting ready to say. Things had quickly gotten out of control and he
needed to calm everyone down. When three pairs of eyes turned to him,
he was once again mesmerized by Mac's green depths.
Tearing his gaze away from hers, he fixed a brilliant smile on his
face and turned toward the older woman still breathing heavily from
anger. "Mrs. Abernathy. Surely you can see that Ms. MacKenzie and
yourself have the same motive in keeping the young man safe. You each
have different ways of showing concern."
The two women stood staring at one another for a full minute before
either moved. "Humpf!" snorted Mrs. Abernathy before turning on her
heal and stomping out of the restaurant.
Trevor stood a moment staring at Mac as he watched the play of
emotions cross her face. The anger had slowly dissipated and amusement
was quickly replacing it. Finally, a smile crept across her face as she
turned to face him.
Her smile lit up the room like a mid day sun and made her eyes dance.
As he tore his eyes away from her face to travel down her trim figure,
he was stopped short to find her hips and legs encased in pants. And
not just any pants, but the Levi jeans that were so popular back East
and he himself wore. The denim molded to her figure, accentuating every
curve. She also wore the cowboy boots that so many men preferred.
Raising his eyes back to her face, he was surprised to find he was also
getting the once over from her.
Mac's eyes traveled down Trevor's broad chest, admiring the tautness
of the deep red shirt as he inhaled each breath. His jeans shaped
themselves to his lean waist before molding to his strong thighs and
ending at his worn cowboy boots. This man was no stranger to hard work,
although he had an intelligence that was uncommon in most cowboys and
shown in his eyes. But then, he wasn't most cowboys, as her father had
been quick to point out the other night.
Mac turned pink when she realized she had been caught admiring him.
Her smile was tentative as she lowered herself back into the chair to
finish her coffee and hopefully cover her embarrassment. There was
absolutely nothing wrong with the way she had looked at him. Keep
telling yourself that, the voice in her head taunted.
Mac had never been bothered by a man staring at her. She knew that
most men paused the first time they saw her dressed like the ranch
hands. What bothered her this time was the reaction of her own body as
she watched the slow perusal of this particular man's eyes. Her heart
raced a marathon around her chest as she had watched his eyes venture
down her legs and back up again.
"Well," she said hesitantly as Trevor also lowered himself back to his
chair. "Now you've met Mrs. Abernathy. Rescuer of souls in Grizzly."
Mac was completely startled at the rumble of laughter that came from
Trevor.
"I met her last week when I first came to town," he said still
chuckling. "Your analogy is almost too accurate. She thinks I'm too old
to still be single and has taken on the mission of marrying me
off."
It was Mac's turn to laugh at the thought Trevor had described. "She
gave up on me a long time ago. My guess will be that you will get a
long lecture on how bad I am for your social life," she laughed.
When Renee returned to the table to refill their coffee cups, both
were laughing hysterically. Not wanting to miss an opportunity to wedge
herself further into Trevor's life, Renee quickly pulled a chair over
to join them. Mac was mildly amused when Trevor quickly stood and held
her chair until she sat.
"Why thank you Mr. Rayne," Renee cooed. "It certainly is nice to see
proper manners around here again."
Mac had never gotten along with Renee. She had seriously questioned
the woman's wisdom when Renee had decided to remain to run the
restaurant two years earlier after her father had died and her mother
returned to the East. Mac had always considered her a 'gold digger.'
She wanted to be rich and prosperous and she wanted it ten minutes ago.
Being in this little hole in the wall in the middle of nowhere was not
the place to accomplish that.
An awkward silence fell over the table, no one knowing quite what to
say. The easy camaraderie between Mac and Trevor had somehow become
strained when Renee sat down.
Breaking the silence, Renee finally brought up the worse possible of
subjects for Mac. "Mr. Madison received a letter from Andy the other
day Mac. Apparently he will be coming home for the holidays. Mr.
Madison was saying Andy couldn't wait to see you again."
Trevor watched the corners of Mac's mouth quirk up in the beginning of
a smile. But as she reached to fondle her braid, he realized that
irritation was flashing in her eyes. What was more disturbing to him
was the overwhelming need to know who this Andy was and what he meant
to Mac. His thoughts were interrupted by a tentative call from the
door.
"Miss MacKenzie?"
Mac's eyes darted to the voice at the door and a smile spread across
her face. "Hey, Billy. What's up?"
The young man hesitantly moved to the table with his hat twisting
nervously in his hand, his eyes downcast. "Ma'am. Ms. Connors. Sir." He
had yet to raise his eyes as if he was afraid of the woman he came to
see. "Ma'am. I have a message from Ray."
Before Mac could respond, Renee stood up again, not wanting to be part
of what was inevitably going to ranch talk. "If you will excuse me,"
she said before making her exit. Mac completely ignored the woman as
she looked at the ranch hand in front of her.
"Billy, how long have you worked at the ranch now?" Mac asked the
young man patiently, a look of warmth in her voice.
Billy looked up proudly. "Six months, Ma'am."
Trevor watched the interaction between the two, completely fascinated
as Mac handled the young man. Her voice instilled confidence in someone
who was in obvious need of it.
"Why don't you call me Mac instead of Ma'am or Miss MacKenzie. I would
surely like that." As Trevor watched the smile grace Mac's face, he was
awed again at the beauty in her face. And as he watched the reaction of
the man in front of her, he knew beyond a doubt the man had fallen head
over heels in love with her.
After Billy had nodded his head vigorously, Mac continued in her calm,
patient voice. "Now, what was the message Ray had for me?"
"Well, Ma'..Mac. The first thing I was to say was 'He's OK. Your
father, that is, not Ray." A look of concern crossed Mac's features.
She glanced over at Trevor briefly before returning her gaze to
Billy.
"What happened?" she asked tersely.
"He was going to go over to the new neighbor's house. Just to see if
he was fairing alright, being new an all."
Mac suddenly understood and relief flooded her features. She lowered
her head and rubbed her eyes with her fingers. "Which one? Domino or
Blacky?"
"Blacky." Billy looked relieved as well as he realized that Mac wasn't
mad.
"Is Blacky ok?" she asked, shaking her head.
"Yes Ma'am. Pranced around real proud of himself."
"Ok," Mac said, raising her head again. "I'll head out shortly. You in
town for the night?"
"My night off," Billy answered proudly.
"Ok. Stay out of trouble and tell Cindy I said hello," she teased the
young man gently, knowing how embarrassed he got about his
girlfriend.
Billy turned three shades of red before stammering a response and
moving back toward the door. Mac watched him go before quickly standing
up and digging in her pockets to pay for her coffee.
Trevor beat her to it by placing enough money on the table for both of
them. "Allow me," he stated quietly glancing at her behind long dark
lashes. Mac was again amazed at how blue his eyes were as they stared
at her.
Nodding her head slowly, she acquiesced. "My treat next time."
Breaking her gaze away from him she started for the door.
"I'm heading back too. I'll ride with you part of the way," Trevor
stated, striding up behind her. Mac never slowed her stride as she
continued out the door.
"You won't be staying for dinner, Mr. Rayne," Renee called out
hopefully?
As Trevor turned around, Renee had slid up next to him, patting her
eyes to make any woman from the East proud. He couldn't help but smile
down at the woman. "I'm sorry Ms. Connors. I need to be heading home. I
have a lot of work to do before the herd arrives. Another time,
though." Placing his hat on his head, Trevor pushed through the
door.
He was just in time to watch Mac mount the beautiful white stallion he
had admired earlier. Standing at least seventeen hands, the stallion
was restless from standing at the hitching rail and tried a half
hearted rear. His mistress quickly got him under control before patting
his neck and whispering something close to his ear.
Trevor suddenly wished he was a horse. That particular horse to be
exact. Shaking his head, Trevor walked to his big bay and quickly
followed suit. "Beautiful animal," he called to Mac as they turned
their mounts north.
"His name's Snowdance," Mac offered with a radiant smile. "I gave it
to him because of his color and the fact he loves to play in the snow.
Dad made the comment how it looked like he was dancing."
Moving north down the street Trevor once again marveled at the
boisterous town that was Grizzly Montana. "Quite a town you have here,"
he commented looking around at the many storefronts surrounding him. "I
have to admit, I never expected this way out here."
"Way out here in the middle of nowhere," Mac smirked at him. "You
should have seen it a couple of years ago. Before all the bad storms
drove so many of our people back East." As they passed the saloon, wild
laughter could be heard coming from inside. "Of course, some things
don't change at all," Mac laughed.
"What did that use to be," Trevor asked looking at an empty building
across the way from the saloon?
"The butcher shop," Mac answered as she surveyed the dilapidated
building. She remembered several years ago having to come into town
twice a week to deliver beef from the ranch to the thriving shop. Now
she only delivered to the boarding house and the restaurant.
"There's just not the number of people to support it anymore. The land
office went before it." Mac stared a moment longer at the empty
building before returning her gaze to the road in front of her.
Trevor waited patiently for her to finish before he realized she was
going to remain silent. His gaze continued to study the storefronts as
they passed on their way out of town. When his gaze fell on First
Grizzly Bank, the sign Andrew Madison President caught his attention.
The comment Renee had made earlier surfaced in his mind again.
"So who's this Andy Madison Renee mentioned?" he asked innocently
enough. Why he cared was still a mystery to him.
"The banker's son," she replied without looking at him. "He went back
East to go to some business school so he could come back and run the
bank." Trevor noticed the small smile on her lips as she continued. "He
has some grand illusion about turning this town into something
Easterners will want to come see." She laughed softly at the
thought.
"You don't sound impressed," he commented. No one could have missed
the sarcasm in her voice. "You don't think it can be done?"
Mac finally allowed herself to look at the man riding beside her. His
strong features held a boyish quality about them when he smiled.
Looking away again before she got lost in those liquid blue eyes she
asked him another question.
"Well, why did you come to Grizzly?" When he didn't answer right away
she looked back over and noticed the sadness was back in his eyes.
Along with a touch of anger. Fighting the urge to reach over and touch
his face she answered herself. "My point exactly. People come to
Grizzly to escape. Or they're passing through to greener pastures
further west. We've had our boom and it's over now. Andy's?I don't know
what Andy is. I really figured he would find a job back East and never
come back. Besides, Renee was just trying to get you to pay attention
to her." Mac slammed her mouth shut realizing she had just voiced her
inner thoughts. Damn! That's twice my mouth has outdistanced my
brain.
Trevor turned to ask Mac what she had meant, but his breath caught in
his throat at the raw beauty before him. The setting sun cast a warm
glow over Mac's features. She sat straight and proud in her saddle,
almost as if she was born to it. Her eyes continually scanned the
horizon, looking for who only knew what.
Once again Trevor was amazed at the woman who rode by his side,
completely defying the feminine world around her. Yet, he sensed a
vulnerability about her that he suspected she would deny with her last
breath. The thought brought a smile to his face. He remembered how she
had gone toe to toe with Mrs. Abernathy in the restaurant
earlier.
"Something amusing?"
Trevor was quickly brought out of his thoughts at her words and
realized he was ginning like a school boy caught looking at something
he shouldn't. "No," he said quickly as he schooled his features. "Just
admiring the view. The sunsets here are like nothing I have ever
seen."
Mac doubted the sunset was responsible for the amused smile that had
graced his features a moment earlier. She couldn't believe how a simple
smile from his man had caused a swarm of butterflies to take flight in
her stomach. Never had she felt so?so?unsettled around a man before.
She had always prided herself in keeping her emotions in check, never
allowing her feelings to show. She had to if she had ever wanted to
gain the respect of the men on the ranch. She had never wanted to be
just the boss's daughter, a weepy female who got where she was because
of a birthright. And she had achieved her goal. The men respected her,
for her knowledge and know how.
"You Easterners are all the same," Mac laughed trying to hide her
unease.
"Excuse me," Trevor said feigning offence.
"You all come out here, expecting glory and riches, never realizing
the work it takes to really make a go of it." She didn't allow him to
respond as she spurred Snowdance forward into a gallop. Damn him and
all Easterners. Her mother had been one of them and look at where it
had gotten her.
Before Trevor realized it, she was well ahead of him and still pulling
away. Shaking his head at her strange comment, he took off after her.
Pulling up beside her, he waited until she looked over at him before
calling to her. "Do you have such low opinions of every Easterner, or
is it just me?"
Slowing her pace, Mac looked over at him. What was it about this man.
Most men would have just left well enough alone. More to the point,
they would have left her alone. She liked Trevor. Too much in fact.
Which is why she had made the snide comment a moment ago. But here he
was, almost making light of it.
"The jury's still out," she answered smartly.
It took Trevor a moment to realize she hadn't meant anything by the
comment. She couldn't know. He had known her barely an hour and he had
schooled his comments two years ago making sure he didn't say anything
that could link him to his past profession in any way.
Mac watched the emotions cross Trevor's face. She was most surprised
to see fear before it was carefully covered up and he relaxed.
Completely misreading him, Mac assumed he was worried that she didn't
like him and he wanted her too. Well, that was going to have stop right
now. She was not about to get involved with anyone. She had a ranch to
run and didn't need the added entanglements of some man coming in
trying to take over. She didn't care that his smile could make her
knees turn to jelly. She would get over it.
Noticing the turn off to his ranch, Mac decided now was the best time
to make him realize she was not on the market. "Here's your turn," she
said curtly. "We ride out tomorrow morning at six. Don't be late. I
won't wait for you." Spurring Snowdance again, she didn't wait for his
response before continuing on home. It wasn't long before she realized
he was still behind her.
Quickly reining in, she waited for him to draw abreast of her before
unloading. "Is there some reason you're following me, Mr. Rayne?"
Trevor was surprised at the ice in her voice. Damn if she couldn't
change moods like the wind. "Just making sure you get home safely." He
was perplexed at the fire he saw shoot from her eyes. But he couldn't
help but notice how beautiful she was either.
"I've been riding this road since I was ten years old. I DO NOT need
an escort." What was with this guy. Normally by now, her perspective
beaus were running the other direction with their tails between their
legs.
"Well, Ms. MacKenzie, as you pointed out, I was following, not
escorting. Call it an Eastern thing." His smile lit up his whole face
and his eyes danced in merriment as he threw her words back at her.
"Besides, I want to know how your father is. He did fall off a horse
coming to see me. It's only neighborly."
Shaking her head, Mac couldn't help the smile that spread across her
face. "Are you always this?this?"
"Confident?" Trevor finished for her.
"Egotistical," Mac shot back turning back for home, but at a walk this
time.
"You'll just have to figure that one out on your own," he challenged
falling in beside her. Deciding maybe he knew the reason for her
earlier outburst, he made a quick decision. "You know, I'm not looking
for anything from you."
Mac glanced over at him completely shocked at his words. OK, she was
going to have do better at hiding her emotions around him. He could
obviously read people better than most.
"Other than maybe some neighborly advice about ranching in Montana,"
he continued. Yeah right, a voice inside his head admonished. Who you
trying to convince, yourself or her.
"That's all you'll get too," she responded sharply. Too sharply she
realized. "Sorry. I'm just use to?"
"And you're calling me egotistical," he laughed trying to lighten the
mood.
It worked as he watched the smile grace her features again. They
settled into a companionable silence as they continued on to the
ranch.
As they rode into the ranch yard half an hour later, Trevor was once
again stunned at the massive spread before him. The two story ranch
house would have fit quite well on any major city street back east. An
expansive front porch spanned the width of the front with an exact
duplicate directly above on the second floor. Four immense windows
framed either side of the double front doors to allow the light from
the day to enter the house. Double French doors lined the upper balcony
and led to what he presumed were the bedrooms. He wondered which one
led to Mac's?
When Mac veered off to the right, heading for the barn, Trevor
continued forward to the main house to tie his mount up to the front
hitching posts.
"Put him in the barn. The temperature's going to drop to far tonight
before you leave," Mac called out to him.
Not wishing to second guess her, Trevor turned his mount toward her
and followed her inside the structure. Once again he was impressed with
the obvious care to detail that these people took when designing the
ranch. The large barn had stalls lining both sides of the long walls
and each one seemed large enough for two of the animals. A door in the
back led to the tack room and office.
"You can use any of the empty ones. Most of the men are still in the
high country. There's hay and oats in the troughs in the last stall."
Mac had already dismounted and turned Snowdance into one of the stalls
and was busy removing his saddle and bridle.
"I'm surprised you don't have someone to do that for you," Trevor
called from the stall across from her. Although he was loosening the
cinch, he didn't feel it necessary to completely unsaddle his
mount.
"A good cowboy never allows someone else to take care of his mount.
Besides, I enjoy spending the time with him and it helps us both
relax." Mac never once looked over at Trevor as she continued her work.
"And how can I expect the men to do what I ask them if I can't do it
myself. There are more important things that they could be
doing."
Trevor couldn't hide his mirth as he continued watching her. When she
finally turned and looked at him, her face portrayed her puzzlement.
"What's so funny," she asked?
"Cowboy etiquette lesson number one," Trevor answered her still
grinning broadly. He had finished taking care of his horse and was
leaning against the stall door with his arms crossed.
"Cute Cowboy," she smiled back knowing he didn't mean anything by it.
She knew she had a tendency to preach. It came from years of trying to
make people around her take her seriously by impressing them with her
knowledge.
Before Mac knew what was going on, Snowdance took the opportunity for
a little fun. Placing his muzzle in the small of her back, he pushed
none to gently, propelling Mac forward directly into Trevor's waiting
arms.
Trevor instinctively grabbed Mac, keeping her from falling, his arms
encircling her waist. Her forward momentum brought her flush against
his chest, her hands resting on his shoulders. He could feel her heart
beating wildly against him, matching his own. He was completely
unprepared for the feelings assaulting him at the moment. She fit
perfectly, molded intimately to him. He was finding it exceedingly
difficult to breath as he held her.
Mac was having her own problems breathing as she realized the intimate
position she now found herself in. Every breath she took molded her
breasts more firmly against his chest. She could feel the muscles
beneath her hands as they rested on his shoulders. Nothing prepared her
for the multitude of emotions flowing through her. The heat generated
from the embrace was turning her blood to fire as it coursed through
her veins.
Knowing it was a mistake, she raised her head to look into his eyes.
She was startled at the intensity of that deep blue gaze, staring at
her. She felt as if he was looking directly into her soul. The thought
scared the hell out her.
Trevor recognized the fear in her eyes and fighting every instinct in
his body, gently pushed her back. It would have been so easy to simply
pull her more tightly against him. The cold quickly enveloped him where
her body had just been sending a chill down to his soul. No woman had
ever affected him like this and he wasn't sure he liked it. He could so
easily lose control with her.
Dropping her hands and taking a step back, Mac quickly turned away.
She didn't want his to see the struggle warring in her. Clinging to the
hope that he was just as affected as she was with the embrace and
scarred to death that he was. Hoping for some neutrality between them,
she cleared her throat and spoke quickly. "We better get inside. Dad
undoubtedly saw us ride in." Thrilled that her voice didn't wavier, she
didn't wait for him to follow her as she started out. Trevor was only
two steps behind her.
Chapter 2
The sun had yet to make its appearance on the horizon the next morning
as Mac strode down the stairs heading for the dining room. Morning was
her favorite time of the day.
She had always been an early riser, even though this morning she still
felt as if she was running late.
After dinner with her father, Trevor had stayed for brandy and cigars.
Her father had wanted her to stay and join in the discussion which had
meant a rather late night. Her dreams had not helped matters either.
She had been constantly haunted by a pair of liquid blue eyes that had
taunted her all night long.
Finishing her braid as she walked around the corner, she was startled
to see Trevor already sitting at the table sipping a cup of coffee. His
eyes raised to meet hers in a slightly mocking stare. "I didn't want
you to leave without me," he drawled.
Before she could come up with an appropriate response, Harriet walked
into the room with another cup of coffee. "Here you go dear," she said
handing the cup to her. "I'll have breakfast out in a moment. Trevor,
are you still alright?"
Mac stared stunned as the woman quickly looked into his coffee to make
sure he didn't need anymore before turning to finish readying
breakfast. She had known this man less than a day and already he was
making himself at home in her house. Her housekeeper was treating him
like one of the family. So much for trying to keep her distance.
Plastering on a winning smile, she made her way over the table and sat
down. "Good morning, Trevor. I have to admit, I didn't expect to see
you here so early." Very good. Keep it light.
"I've always been a morning person. Harriet took pity on me when she
saw me outside," Trevor explained. "You don't seem to mind the mornings
either." So many women he had known wouldn't have shown their faces for
another four or five hours. And here Mac was, fresh as a daisy before
the sun rose.
Shrugging her shoulders slightly, Mac continued drinking her coffee.
"Comes with the territory," she said nonchalantly, not looking at him.
She refused to allow the presence of this man to affect her. That would
be all Harriett needed to start in on the virtues of marriage.
In a few moments, Harriet came bustling in with two heaping plates of
food and places them on the table. Mac had always loved breakfast and
never missed one. Of course, the joke was she loved eating
period.
Trevor was sat in stunned silence and he watched Mac make serious in
roads on the bacon and eggs before she reached for the fresh biscuits
and butter. He couldn't help but shudder as he watched the huge hunk of
butter she placed in the middle of her grits. His mother had tried to
get him to eat the stuff when he was a child. Even going as far as
putting sugar and cream on them when he couldn't handle the butter. He
had never been able to stomach course ground up corn for breakfast. Or
any meal for that matter.
Mac looked up just as the frown creased Trevor's face and followed his
eyes to her plate. "Problem," she asked?
Shifting his gaze back to his own plate, he quickly stuffed his mouth
full of eggs and shook his head at her. She certainly had a healthy
appetite for someone so thin and petite.
"Ummmm, these are good," Mac said teasingly, stuffing another spoonful
of grits into her mouth. "Harriet makes the best this side of the
Mississippi." She could tell by the look of Trevor's face that he
couldn't abide the southern dish. She couldn't help but laugh at his
sudden interest in his coffee. "Relax, Cowboy. She won't make you eat
them."
Trevor looked up and frowned at the fact Mac was laughing at him. "How
can you eat those," he asked incredulously?
Mac laughed all the harder at his question. Finally, pulling herself
together and finishing the last of her bacon she leaned back in her
chair and studied the man in front of her. "How can you not eat them,"
she asked, throwing the question back at him?
Before he could answer, Milton walked into the room, limping
noticeably. "Damn cold weather," he muttered to no one in particular.
"Morning, baby," he said leaning down and kissing Mac's cheek. "Trevor.
Good to see you."
"Mr. MacKenzie."
Harriet came in and quickly poured Milton a cup of coffee and placed a
plate in front of him. "Mac, will you be home for dinner tonight," she
asked?
"Yeah. I don't plan on staying up there very long. Just want to make
sure the herd is ready to move." The last part was mainly to keep her
father in the loop. She had learned a couple of years ago that the more
information he had, the better he could handle staying around the ranch
yard. His health was not what it use to be. He could no longer stay in
the saddle for hours on end, riding all over. She would have preferred
that he stay in the house all together, but she knew that was a lost
cause.
She also knew that his soreness this morning was more from the fall
from the horse the day before than the cold. It wouldn't be long before
snow blanketed the valley in a white winter wonderland. The evenings
were already below freezing most nights and the high country had
already had several snows.
"Well, we better get a move on," Mac said to Trevor as she drained her
coffee. Getting up and moving over to her father, she leaned in the
kiss him goodbye. "I'll be home later, Daddy." She didn't wait for
Trevor to follow her as she left to grab her gear.
Trevor also finished his coffee and pushed away from the table.
"Harriet, thank you for the coffee and breakfast."
"You come by anytime, Trevor. You're always welcome at this table."
Harriet was thrilled to have another eligible man in the area and would
do whatever it took to make sure that Mac was aware of it.
"Thank you. I just might take you up on that." Nodding to Milton, he
started out the door, only to be stopped short by the elderly
gentleman.
"Take care of her son."
"I have a feeling she'll be taking care of me, sir. But don't
worry."