“Shall we dance?” Rafe asked

Rafe took Bri’s hand and pulled her to her feet before she could renege. “We have the entire evening to convince your feet to cooperate.”

This time when he put his arms around her she was much more relaxed. He held her close, the welcome feel of her breasts pressed to his chest making him question his sanity. What spell had this woman cast on him?

“You are no novice at dancing. You move like a gentle wind.”

A misstep landed her on his right foot. “Thank you for breaking my concentration,” Bri said.

“There is no need to concentrate. Just follow me. I will not lead you astray.”

“And what if I don’t have such a good partner next Saturday?”

The sudden thought of her in another man’s arms made him crazy. “I will be there to rescue you.”

“I don’t need a chaperone.”

He shrugged and urged her to lay her head on his shoulder. Her face was too close, her full pink lips too tempting. The desire to kiss her battled his common sense. “It is merely an excuse.”

She drew her head back again to look at him. “An excuse for what?”

“To be with you.”

Dear Reader,

It’s hot outside. So why not slip into something more comfortable, like a delicious Harlequin American Romance novel? This month’s selections are guaranteed to take your mind off the weather and put it to something much more interesting.

We start things off with Debbi Rawlins’s By the Sheikh’s Command, the final installment of the very popular BRIDES OF THE DESERT ROSE series. Our bachelor prince finally meets his match in a virginal beauty who turns the tables on him in a most delightful way. Rising star Kara Lennox begins a new family-connected miniseries, HOW TO MARRY A HARDISON, and these sexy Texas bachelors will make your toes tingle. You’ll meet the first Hardison brother in Vixen in Disguise—a story with a surprising twist.

The talented Debra Webb makes a return engagement to Harlequin American Romance this month with The Marriage Prescription, a very emotional story involving characters you’ve met in her incredibly popular COLBY AGENCY series from Harlequin Intrigue. Also back this month is Leah Vale with The Rich Girl Goes Wild, a not-to-be-missed billionaire-in-disguise story.

Here’s hoping you enjoy all we have to offer this month at Harlequin American Romance. And be sure to stop by next month when Cathy Gillen Thacker launches her brand-new family saga, THE DEVERAUX LEGACY.

Best,

Melissa Jeglinski

Associate Senior Editor

Harlequin American Romance

By the Sheikh’s Command

Debbi Rawlins

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MILLS & BOON

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This book is for Tina Colombo. Thank you for your understanding and patience and wonderful editing. It’s a joy to work with you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debbi Rawlins currently resides with her husband and dog in Las Vegas, Nevada. A native of Hawaii, she married on Maui and has since lived in Cincinnati, Chicago, Tulsa, Houston, Detroit and Durham, North Carolina, during the past twenty years. Now that she’s had enough of the gypsy life, it’ll take a crane, a bulldozer and a forklift to get her out of her new home. Good thing she doesn’t like to gamble. Except maybe on romance.

Books by Debbi Rawlins

HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE

580—MARRIAGE INCORPORATED

618—THE COWBOY AND THE CENTERFOLD

622—THE OUTLAW AND THE CITY SLICKER

675—LOVE, MARRIAGE AND OTHER CALAMITIES

691—MARRY ME, BABY

730—THE BRIDE TO BE…OR NOT TO BE?

741—IF WISHES WERE…HUSBANDS

780—STUD FOR HIRE?

790—OVERNIGHT FATHER

808—HIS, HERS AND THEIRS

860—LOVING A LONESOME COWBOY

881—HIS ROYAL PRIZE

927—TO LOVE AN OLDER MAN

933—BY THE SHEIKH’S COMMAND

HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE

587—HER MYSTERIOUS STRANGER

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

Chapter One

Brianna Taylor saw him standing in the shadows, and held her breath. She would never have come to the barn if she had known Sheikh Rafe Bahram would be there. In fact, she wouldn’t have come at all.

Afraid to exhale, she stood, frozen, watching him, curious as to what he was doing. Unlike the angry man who’d arrived over a week ago, he seemed calm and at peace now. His dark head bowed forward, he murmured something she was too far away to hear. The tone reached her, though, low, soothing, hypnotic, as if he were whispering words of love to a woman.

The idea startled her. No one else was in the barn. Besides, with Allie gone, Bri was the only woman on the ranch. He spoke again and then ducked out of view. Fascinated, she took an involuntary step forward, and then abruptly realized he was talking to Magic Carpet, the Flying Ace’s newest colt, born only two weeks ago.

Luckily, Rafe hadn’t seen her. It wasn’t too late to back out and run to the house. No one was there. Cord and Rafe’s sister, Allie, had left for their honeymoon. The reminder that her brother now had a wife, someone else to share his life, dealt a fresh blow of grief and her steps faltered.

Not that she wasn’t happy for him. She truly was thrilled that he’d found someone so perfect for him like Allie, but it had been only a year since Bri had found Cord, only a year of having someone genuinely care about her and not consider her existence a burden to the modern world.

Rafe’s head came up again and she stopped, fearing any movement would attract his attention. He started to turn toward her and, without another thought, she dropped to the ground in a crouched position.

Immediately she regretted it.

How foolish. She could have waved and then walked out. It wasn’t as if she’d been spying on him. But it was too late and all she could hope for…

“What are you doing?”

The nearness of Rafe’s husky, accented voice startled her. He stood only a foot away. She looked up into his concerned dark eyes, lost her balance and landed on her fanny on the hard floor.

“Brianna.” He bent over to take her elbow, but she evaded him.

Humiliation stung her cheeks. “I’m looking for my earring. I lost it.” He continued to stare at her with unnerving intensity. Maybe because she never wore earrings. She was too chicken to get her ears pierced. She averted her gaze and focused on the hay-littered floor. “I lost it yesterday.”

“Yesterday?”

She nodded without looking up and sifted through the hay.

“In this exact spot?”

She nodded again, and then the amusement in his voice registered, and she looked up. A ghost of a smile played at the corners of his mouth. She was fairly certain she hadn’t seen him smile before.

“Well, not in this exact spot. If I knew that, then it wouldn’t be lost, would it?” She lowered her gaze again when she realized how prickly she sounded.

He laughed softly and crouched beside her. “I will help you search.”

“No.” She swallowed when his knee brushed her thigh. “I’m fine. Really.”

She’d never been this close to him. Once they’d sat opposite each other across the dinner table, but he’d been in an awful mood, his face darkened by a scowl. He’d come to Bridle to take his sister back to their home in Munir but found out Allie and Cord were getting married. That Allie had tricked him by switching places with her maid and remaining behind in Texas still amazed Brianna. Allie was her new hero. Bri would never have had the nerve.

“Of course you are, but two of us searching would be better, would it not?”

“I’m sure you have more important things to do,” she muttered as she stared down at the clumps of straw she’d formed.

“What could be more important than helping a lady in distress?”

At the amusement in his voice, she looked up and their eyes met in challenge. “Where I come from, losing an earring is hardly a disaster.”

“Where I come from, a lady sometimes loses something to gain a man’s attention. Perhaps with the intent of initiating a…friendship.”

Brianna stared back in disbelief. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. And then finally she said, “That’s stupid.”

He smiled, taking some of the sting out of her lessthan-profound comment. “I agree.”

“You don’t do that enough.”

“Do what?”

She blinked, stunned that she’d said that out loud. “Never mind.”

“I would like to hear this.”

“It’s no big deal.” She shrugged and looked away. “You don’t smile enough.”

“Ah.” If he was surprised at her observation, he hid it well. “Why do you prefer that I smile?”

“I don’t,” she said quickly. “I just don’t want you to still be angry that Allie tricked you. You have to see how happy she is, how madly in love she and Cord are.” She sighed. “Having someone love you that much is like—” She stopped, mortification stinging her cheeks.

“Go on. What is it like?”

“I was talking about Allie and Cord.” Oh, God, she wanted to stand up and run as fast as she could. To the lake at the foot of the Desert Rose, where no one bothered her, where she could sit and stare at the peaceful water and make believe life was perfect.

“Yes, but you seem to have strong feelings about—”

“Oh, here’s my gold hoop.” She fisted her hand around some hay and pretended to stuff the imaginary earring into her jeans pocket. Her face flamed with the lie, but she couldn’t do much about it but turn away as she got to her feet. “Well, see you later.”

“Wait.” Rising with her, he touched her arm and she froze. “You seem upset. Why?”

She refused to meet his gaze. “I’m not.”

“Then look at me.”

She haltingly obeyed. The way he stared silently at her made her nervous, as if he were studying a painting. More likely he stared because her nose was a little crooked from a childhood fall. “What?”

“You have extraordinary eyes.”

She blinked. “No, I don’t.”

His lips curved again.

She hunched her shoulders, wishing she could be someone else. Just this once. Someone beautiful and sophisticated, who said and did all the right things. “I really have to go.”

“First, tell me.” His gaze narrowed in concern. “Why does it bother you that I will be staying with you in Cord and Aliah’s absence?”

The reminder of her brother’s overprotective stubborn streak made her blood boil. “I don’t need looking after, and he had no business asking you to stick around.”

“That is not why I am staying.”

“Don’t try and cover up for him. I heard him ask you, remember?”

Rafe moved his broad shoulders in a slow shrug. “I believe he was teasing you. He knows the foal I have purchased from the Colemans of the Desert Rose Ranch should be born within a week, and that I wished to be present for the birth.”

Bri forced herself to meet his dark, steady gaze. He looked so darn sincere, yet she knew her brother, and she doubted very much that Cord had been teasing. When Rafe said nothing more, she asked, “How long will you be here?”

“At least until the foal is born.”

“Don’t you have to get back to Munir?”

“You sound as if you wish to get rid of me.”

She blushed again. Darn it. “I thought you were a busy man. Allie said you—” She cut herself off and gritted her teeth.

“What did my sister say?”

“Nothing important.” She dusted her hands together. “I need to go see about supper.”

“Wait, Brianna.”

She’d never liked her name. Taunted as a child by Jenny Thomas and other girls with nice normal names, she’d even hated it for a while. But the husky way Rafe said it erased all those hurtful years in an instant.

He gazed down at her in that intense unnerving way of his, and she had little choice but to hear him out.

“I hope you do not have a problem with us being alone in the house while your brother is away.”

“Of course not.” She was getting to be way too good a liar. Her aunt Elaine would have washed her mouth out with soap.

“If so, I can arrange to stay in Bridle.”

Confused, she studied him for a moment. Was he right about Cord only teasing her? Otherwise, Rafe wouldn’t offer to stay in town. “What about the Desert Rose?”

In response to her bluff, his right eyebrow went up. “I am making you uncomfortable?”

“Don’t be silly. It’s not that I don’t want you here—” Her tongue got tied and she stumbled over her words. “I just thought that since you want to be there for the foal’s birth…” At the telling amusement on his face, she groaned inwardly. “I really need to go see about supper.”

“Aliah did not make arrangements?”

“Why would she? They left early yesterday.” Bri groaned out loud this time. “Unless she ordered pizza.”

“Pizza?” He smiled “Ah, yes. While I was at the university, it was a favorite dish of many of the students.”

“In Munir?”

“No, Harvard.”

“You went to Harvard? Here, in the United States?”

His eyebrows rose. “Why do you find that so difficult to believe?”

“I don’t know. I—” She shrugged. “I knew that Allie had a British tutor. I guess I assumed—I don’t know.”

“It is different for women in our country.”

“I guess that’s why Allie ran away.” Her hand flew to her mouth. Allie had complained about women being nonentities, merely a man’s accessory. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—I’d better go.”

His expression tightened. “I am not ignorant of my country’s archaic attitudes or shortcomings. Now, I’ve detained you long enough. Please excuse me.”

Bri kept her mouth shut as he strolled back toward Magic Carpet’s stall. She hadn’t meant to offend him. Allie had wonderful things to say about her brother. She’d felt badly about tricking him into offering her maid to Cord when he’d rescued the woman from a runaway horse. But secretly trading places with the maid and staying behind in America was the only way Allie could get out from beneath the royal thumb.

Rafe wasn’t like their parents, Allie had confided, or the rest of the royals. He respected a woman’s right to independence and strongly advocated modernizing their country even though it was an unpopular political position.

Bri didn’t understand any of it, but she liked and respected Allie. So if Allie thought her brother was honorable it was enough for Bri. She was glad, too. Men as gorgeous and as powerful as Rafe weren’t always nice, in Bri’s limited experience. Not that she’d ever met a sheikh before.

Or anyone like Rafe. It didn’t matter that she’d hardly spoken to him. Just looking at him made her skin tingle and caused a flutter in her tummy. Watching him wasn’t like watching the ranch hands, not even the new guy Chuck, and he was pretty cute with his sandy-colored hair and twinkling blue eyes.

With his midnight hair, dark seductive eyes and tall lean frame, Rafe was in a category all by himself. Taller than all the other guys on the ranch except Cord, he towered over her. At five-nine, she couldn’t wear high heels around most men. Which suited her fine. She’d worn heels twice at her aunt Elaine’s insistence. It had been awful.

She waited until Rafe was back in Magic Carpet’s stall, his back to her, before she headed out of the barn toward the house, and to Cord’s study. He’d left some notes for her regarding the stock selection for next month’s cattle auction and now seemed like a good time to bury herself in work.

Better that she didn’t think about Rafe or that he would be sleeping only three rooms away from her for the next week. Anyway, the annual auction was important to the Flying Ace, and she wanted to do the best job possible in Cord’s absence.

He’d been so good to her, going to New Hampshire to bring her back to Bridle. Although they had the same father, Bri was the bastard child, the product of a brief affair Gerald Brannigan had had with her mother in Dallas. Bri had never known him, in fact she’d barely known her mother. Aunt Elaine, her mother’s older sister, had raised Bri.

None of that mattered to Cord. He’d made it clear the ranch would always be her home, as much hers as it was his. Ironically, he’d accepted her as a Brannigan much more quickly and completely than she had accepted his generosity. But day by day she’d begun to settle in and experience the wonder of belonging she’d craved her entire childhood.

That’s why it chafed that Cord hadn’t mentioned to her privately about extending the invitation to stay to Rafe. She wouldn’t have dreamed of not consulting Cord before inviting a guest. But then again, Rafe was now Cord’s brother-in-law. Of course he’d be welcome at any time.

Her pulse sped up and it had nothing to do with the fact that she had practically power walked up the slope to the house. The thought that Rafe might become a frequent visitor had sent her heart into overdrive. Not that she expected anything to happen between them. Even though Allie had teased her to watch out because Rafe had a taste for blondes. Or because he thought Bri had extraordinary eyes…

She entered through the kitchen and then detoured down the hall to her room and shut the door. She still wanted to tackle the auction paperwork this afternoon but something more pressing required her attention. The mirror over her dresser was smudged, so she wiped it with her sleeve and stared up close at her reflection.

All that stared back were plain ol’ garden-variety blue eyes. A hint of green was the only thing possibly interesting about them. Which was a stretch. Especially considering that her crooked nose drew attention away from anything that might be pleasant about her face.

She peered closer. Maybe some makeup would help hide the flaw. Mascara was about all she could handle daily. Aunt Elaine didn’t believe in vanity and would have taken a switch to Bri if she ever “painted her face.” But Allie and Bri’s friend, Jessica Coleman Grayson, both wore makeup. That didn’t make them tramps.

Sighing, Bri pulled her ponytail up and piled her hair high on top of her head, and then angled her face to get a look from either side. The style made her look slightly older, anything older than twenty-two was good.

Maybe she’d experiment later, after dinner.

Shoot! She’d forgotten about dinner. Rafe had distracted her. He was pretty darn good at doing that, all right. It would serve him right if Allie had ordered pizza for them…although that was doubtful. Allie wasn’t the type to worry about anything else on the eve of her honeymoon.

Not that Bri blamed her. If she were so lucky as to find a husband who was as crazy about her as Cord was about Allie, Bri wouldn’t think about much else, either. And frankly, Bri was glad Allie wasn’t the domestic type or terribly organized, either. Wouldn’t that create a need for Bri to stick around?

Even when their housekeeper returned, there were still household decisions to be made, the kind that Bri handled.

Sighing, she let go of her hair and the ponytail fell like a heavy rope down her back. She’d thought about cutting it, but a shorter style would require too much care. With working around the ranch, a ponytail was much easier to manage.

Assuming she’d be around much longer.

Angry with herself, she chased the hurtful thought away. Hadn’t she just reasoned that she had a necessary place here? Of course, for the past week her thoughts had been bouncing back and forth like a rubber ball.

One minute she convinced herself that it would be best if she left the ranch and the newlyweds to their privacy, and in the next breath she decided Cord’s marriage didn’t mean she had to leave. She had a viable job at the ranch. Cord didn’t like doing the bookkeeping and she did. She was darn good at it, too. The grain costs had gone down since she’d taken over and found another supplier—someone who wasn’t related to the acting foreman while Manny had been away.

The best thing Aunt Elaine had ever done was encourage, no, demand, that Bri get an education. Her maiden aunt had been vocal about Bri learning to take care of herself, and not end up like her mother, Elaine’s sister, who’d gotten knocked up and then abandoned her daughter to the charity of her family.

At first Bri had silently rebelled, but then she discovered that school not only got her out of the house and away from Aunt Elaine’s harping, but it was fun and empowering. She’d done extremely well, making the honor roll all through high school, and then the dean’s list her second and third year of college. She’d probably have made it her senior year, too, had she finished. But the lure of meeting her brother had eclipsed her need for a degree.

Her stomach growled, reminding her she really did have to think about rustling something up for dinner. Maybe sandwiches. If His Royal Highness didn’t like that option, he could go to the diner in Bridle. Give the townspeople something to gawk at.

Bri smiled at the thought as she strolled into the kitchen and opened the fridge. Nothing leaped out at her. They’d finished the leftovers last night and she hadn’t taken anything out of the freezer. Even the deli meat looked unappealing.

Pizza didn’t sound so bad right about now. Although, since Allie had discovered the spicy pies for the first time last week, they’d had pepperoni, peppers and extra cheese four times for dinner.

She considered taking a drive into Bridle to pick one up, when she saw a folded piece of paper stuck to the side of the refrigerator under a cow magnet. Curious, she unfolded it. Cord usually left notes for her on her desk.

The message was from Allie. She had ordered their dinner to be delivered from the diner at seven. Rafe had been right. Bri frowned. The diner didn’t deliver. Of course, Allie had a way of getting what she wanted. Bri needed to take lessons.

Her gaze fell on the tiny postscript at the bottom from Cord. They had decided to stop in Dallas on the way back and would be home a day later than the planned ten days.

No big deal. What was one day?

She set the note aside, a wave of melancholy overtaking her. This was yet another change in the way she and Cord had settled into life on the ranch together. In the past, he had always kept her informed of his plans, even if it was only a trip to the bank. Now he had Allie.

Bri hated the jealousy that gnawed at her, but it was there, and she would have to make peace with it. Ignoring it would only fuel needless resentment. Cord’s marriage posed no threat to her relationship with him. As he’d assured her so many times, they’d always be family.

As far as Allie having taken charge of dinner tonight, that had been a nice gesture. Really. Bri didn’t have to worry about playing hostess to Rafe right off the bat. Allie had been thoughtful in eliminating that problem.

Bri got a six-pack of cola out of the pantry and put it on the fridge. So why did she feel so glum? Now she had more time to work on the auction paperwork.

She started for her office but her gaze fell on the newspaper left on the kitchen table. Ironically, it was open to the classifieds—the rental section.

Was someone trying to tell her something?

Chapter Two

Rafe stopped at the wet bar in the living room and found the bottle of scotch his new brother-in-law had left him. He poured himself a glass. Neat. No ice. Just the way he liked it. The scotch was a rare pleasure he allowed himself only when he traveled abroad. In his own country he never drank liquor. He never did anything that could be deemed inappropriate. He had too much to lose.

That’s what made the purpose of this trip to Texas so ironic. The fact that he would return to Munir without his errant sister as a result of his own negligence was more inappropriate than a dozen drinks.

He downed half the glass of scotch, and then took the rest with him to the den where he could look out at the courtyard fountain. The house was quiet, although he knew Brianna was somewhere inside. From the stables he had watched her cross the lawn and enter the house less than an hour ago.

She was an amazingly graceful creature. Tall and lithe and elegant even in faded jeans. A natural beauty who was inordinately reserved. In his experience, most women who possessed such perfection flaunted their attributes, expected special treatment. Although he had not had too many exchanges with her, Brianna seemed as quiet as a little mouse.

She could have been born to royalty by the way she carried herself, but he knew better. Cord had explained a little about his sister, about her shyness, how she kept to herself, going swimming or riding when not at work on the Flying Ace’s books. He was concerned about her swimming alone at a nearby lake, and Rafe had assured him he would be watchful of her.

And also discreet. Cord had immediately regretted that Brianna knew he had asked Rafe to watch over her. He smiled at the memory of her annoyed reaction when she had overheard them talking, how she had been quick to remind Cord that she was almost twenty-three and needed no supervision.

Rafe had decided to downplay his presence, allow her to think he had no interest in her whereabouts or activities. Apparently, she stayed close to the ranch, sometimes visiting friends at the Desert Rose or swimming in the lake.

Four of the five men living in the bunkhouse had been with the Brannigan family for years and did not concern Cord. The fifth one, however, a young man hired recently, showed too much interest in Brianna. Cord had not yet found it necessary to warn the man, but Rafe’s instructions were to “break the guy’s neck if he sniffed around Bri.”

Staring out at the waning sun, Rafe smiled at Cord’s choice of words and his intense protectiveness. An unusual quality among the American men Rafe had met at Harvard or since. Women were more independent in this country—an admirable trait to be sure, but sometimes difficult for a brother to accept.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were in here.”

At the sound of Brianna’s voice, he turned to find her backing out of the room. “Is it a crime in Texas for us to be in the same room?”

Confusion flickered in her eyes at his teasing. And then she made a face. “I simply meant I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Ah, I see.” He gestured to a chair. “Please, sit with me.”

She glanced toward the door as if seeking escape. “I’m sort of busy right now.”

“Of course.” He drained his scotch, and contemplated another.

Brianna stared at him. When he met her gaze, she quickly looked away, her cheeks flooding with color. “You were right about dinner. Allie ordered something. I’ll let you know when it gets here.”

Rafe did not know the Brannigan family history, only that Brianna had not been raised in Bridle, but had led a sheltered life in a small town in New England. Perhaps that was the reason for her shyness. Perhaps that was what intrigued him about her. “May I fix you a drink?” he asked before she could leave.

She frowned slightly.

“You are old enough?”

She gave him a scathing look. “I’m almost twenty-three.”

“That old?”

The corners of her mouth twitched. “Very funny,” she said, and to his satisfaction, she lowered herself to a chair. “I’ll remind you that Allie and I are close in age and she’s now a married woman.”

His mood darkened. That was a reminder he did not need. He liked and respected Cord, but Aliah’s marriage to him had caused a great deal of trouble. “Yes, but until she was married, Aliah was under my patronage.”

Brianna laughed. “Patronage?”

He nodded.

“That sounds archaic.”

“Perhaps, but it is Munir’s custom for a brother to be responsible for his sister.”

She lifted her chin. “Good thing I don’t live there.”

Rafe made no comment, as tempted as he was to point out that she lived under the protection of Cord, and that in many aspects their cultures were not so vastly different.

“I’m not sure I’ll be here for dinner,” she said after a brief silence. “I may be meeting friends in Bridle.”

“All right.” He did not believe her. She was testing him, seeing if he would question her. “I have some work I must do for my meeting in Dallas. I would have preferred your company, but I understand.”

She seemed to relax. “I didn’t say I was going for sure. In fact, no one’s called yet so I probably won’t.” She eyed his empty glass. “I’ll fix you another drink if you want.”

He handed her the glass, their fingers brushing in the exchange. “The scotch, if you will. But just half. I need to keep my wits about me.”

He deliberately sought her gaze, and she stiffened, her eyes growing wide. The innuendo had not been lost. But he had meant only to tease her, not frighten her. She truly was naive, a child in many ways.

Bri quickly got up. She was glad for the excuse to go to the living room for the drink. He made her so darn nervous and had her thinking all kinds of crazy thoughts. That dark sexy look he gave her made her imagination go a little nuts.

Plus, she’d heard a lot about him from Allie. He was quite a ladies’ man, although Allie claimed he never took advantage of the fact that women were drawn to his looks and power. Bri didn’t know what exactly it was about him, but something sure got her all hot and bothered. The feeling was both unfamiliar and a little frightening.

She wasn’t worried, though. Not about his intentions. And it wasn’t just because of Allie’s glowing praise of her brother. Bri put more stock in the way Rafe treated Allie, in the way they interacted.

Watching Allie and Rafe say their goodbyes yesterday had made her a little wistful. The way they could give each other one look and smile in understanding, or the way he unabashedly hugged and kissed Allie. Even though Rafe still had to be hurt and angry over the way she had tricked him into leaving her in Texas, the love and acceptance he’d shown his sister warmed Bri in a way she couldn’t describe. It made her like him.

But it also made her envious. Rafe and Allie had a long history together. Not like her and Cord. They’d only known each other for a short time. If she were to suddenly move back to New Hampshire, Cord would miss her, she felt sure, but it wouldn’t devastate him.

She found the bottle of scotch and poured a small amount into Rafe’s glass. It crossed her mind to have a little wine, but she had the auction paperwork to handle and a stack of invoices to pay and payroll to prepare and…

The truth was, she didn’t trust herself to indulge in anything mind-altering. God only knew what she’d blab if she got too relaxed. She grabbed a bottle of diet cola instead and as she turned to go, nearly stepped on Mittens.

Allie’s kitten let out a wail and Bri nearly dropped Rafe’s drink as she jumped back. “Oh, you poor thing, I’m so sorry.” Bri set the glass of scotch and bottle of cola on the bar and stooped to cuddle the kitten, but the little thing scurried out of the room.

“Are you all right?” Rafe appeared almost instantly. He grabbed her upper arms as she straightened, his concerned eyes probing hers.

“Fine.” She cleared her throat. “It was Mittens. She got underfoot and we sort of scared each other.”

He glanced around.

“She’s probably halfway to the stables by now.”

His hands tightened slightly around her arms and he studied her face with unnerving closeness.

“What?” Bri tried to take a step back.

“Have you ever been alone before?”

She laughed at the irony. “I’ve been alone plenty, believe me. Besides, you’re here, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” he said so patiently it annoyed her. “And if you need anything—”

“I won’t.”

He nodded, but his condescending expression irked her. True, she hadn’t been in charge of the ranch before, but two of the hands had been with the Flying Ace so long they didn’t need her. Ty Thomas and Joe Piedmont had started right after Cord’s father had bought the ranch.

Her father. The thought stopped her. Even after hearing Cord’s stories and seeing all the pictures, she still couldn’t think of Gerald Brannigan as her father. She did wish she had met him, though. But he’d died unaware of her existence.

“Of course, you can always call Cord on his cell phone.”

She glared at Rafe. “I will not.”

“Because he is on his honeymoon? Business is business. Cord understands.”

“So do I. But a honeymoon is a honeymoon, and if he doesn’t understand that, I’m sure Allie will help remind him.”

A hint of a smile lit his face. “I am sure you are quite right. Subtlety is not my sister’s strong suit.”

“Subtlety has nothing to do with it. Now that they’re married, priorities have changed.”

“Ah.” He nodded. “You are a romantic.”

“No, I’m not.” Why did she sound so defensive? If she were a romantic, it wouldn’t be a crime. “Marriage is important.”

“I agree.” He gave a curt bow. “It is much like business.”

That stopped her. Marriage was personal. It was about love and respect between two people who couldn’t bear to live without each other. But of course Munir royalty didn’t share that opinion. Allie had explained about duty to family and country coming before personal desire. Maybe having no family wasn’t so bad after all.

“I see you do not agree,” Rafe said when she stayed silent. “Americans do not understand. American women in particular do not—”

She put up a hand. “I wouldn’t finish that thought if I were you.”

“As you wish.” His dark eyes watched her with such intensity it was as if he could see more than he should. “Where are you going?”

“To my office.” She took the glass from the bar and handed it to him before she headed out. “I have a lot of work to do.”

“Brianna. Wait.”

She hesitated, but didn’t actually turn around, torn between curiosity and the need to rush to the safety of her office.

“Brianna?”

Curiosity won. She turned to him.

“Will you run from me the entire week?”

AFTER DINNER, Rafe sat outside in the patio, sipping his coffee while Brianna cleaned up the kitchen. She had declined his offer to help but promised to sit with him later. But only after he had nearly badgered her into agreeing.

She was a puzzle, that one. Perhaps by the time Aliah and Cord returned, he would understand the shy blonde more. Why she blushed so easily and seemed to shrink away from attention instead of making the most of her considerable charms. She had him confused. Few people were able to do that.

“I brought you some brandy,” she said as she stepped onto the patio. “Sometimes Cord has it with his coffee after dinner.” She set the bottle down on the table, along with a crystal snifter.

“What about you? Will you not join me?”

She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t like the stuff. It’s too strong.”

“I agree. Please. Sit.”

A blush stole across her cheeks, and she drew in her lower lip beneath even white teeth, a nervous habit he found most appealing. “I’ll stay a few minutes,” she said and then sank into the chair farthest from him.

He picked up his coffee, not in the least interested in the brandy. A restless energy disturbed his equilibrium. Is that why he looked to this shy beauty for distraction?

“Well, if you don’t need me anymore…”

“Why do you run from me? Has Aliah filled your head with horror stories?”

She’d started to rise, but sank back down, looking genuinely surprised. “No, of course not. She adores you. And I don’t understand why you keep thinking I’m running away. I’m not on vacation. I have work to do.”

“I have asked only for a few minutes.”

She sighed. “I’m sorry. I am a little edgy. There are just so many changes around here lately…”

Rafe studied the way she anxiously smoothed back the tendrils of hair that had come loose, looking as if she wanted to get up and run as fast as she could. “Were you not in favor of the marriage?” he asked quietly.

“No. I mean, yes.” She gave her head a flustered shake. “I love Allie like a sister. I’m happy for both of them.”

“Yet the balance here is upset.”

Her forehead creased in a frown and she shrugged.

“Brianna, I understand. I have made peace with the marriage, but still it is difficult for me to see Aliah with a husband. In fact, a near stranger. No matter my growing fondness for Cord.” He had failed to take Aliah back. His people would not understand. “But she made her choice.”

Curiosity lit her eyes. “I thought men in your country didn’t believe in giving women a choice.”

“Most don’t.”

“But you do.”

He lifted the coffee cup to his lips. He did not wish to discuss his personal views.

“Allie said you’re very modern.”

“My sister talks too much.” He set the cup aside. “I understand there is a lake near here?”

Brianna stiffened. “A small one.”

“I would like to see it sometime.”

“It’s just an ordinary lake. You won’t be impressed.”

“My country is nearly surrounded by the Persian Gulf. The water soothes me.”

“I know. Me, too, but this really is a tiny lake and you’re used to an ocean.”

“No matter. When you are not too busy, you will show me?”

Reluctance hunched her shoulders. “Okay.”

“Tomorrow afternoon perhaps?”

Alarm darkened her eyes. “I’m not sure I’ll have time.”

She clearly did not want her private sanctuary invaded. Or perhaps it was his company she wished to avoid. The idea did not warm him. Women normally sought his attention.

She got to her feet and started gathering his cup and the brandy and placing them on the tray. Her hands fumbled in her haste and the idea she wanted to get away from him grew stronger.

He touched her wrist. “You seem nervous.”

Her face ripened with color. “I already explained why I was edgy.” Her chest rose and fell with a deep shuddering breath, and his gaze drew to her breasts.

Beneath the plain white T-shirt she wore, her nipples protruded. He dragged his gaze away, not wanting to embarrass her. And then he quickly released her, annoyed at his own physical reaction.

“D-did you want anything else?” Her lower lip quivered and she hesitated picking up the tray.

When she lowered her gaze, his own went back to her chest. Her breasts were small, the perfect size for the palm of a man’s hand, her nipples lush and tempting. Desire stirred in his belly and he clenched his teeth.

Too bad she was a child. Not just because she was ten years younger than he, but her obvious lack of experience around men detracted further. Cord had warned him she was an innocent, but a brother’s viewpoint was not always reliable.

Rafe mentally shook his head. Look how Aliah had fooled him. She had been sheltered, even cloistered for many of her young years, and she had turned into a hellcat nevertheless.

But he did not want to think about his sister and the predicament she had created for him. Soon enough he would have to face the royal family and admit his failure.

Brianna picked up the tray, her hands much steadier now. “I have a desk in Cord’s office. I’ll be in there if you need me.”

“And if I need you now?”

She blinked, and visibly swallowed. “Need me?”

He smiled. “Go, Brianna. Go hide in your office.”

A glint of temper flared in her eyes, but she said nothing. She gripped the tray with tight little fists and backed away from the table.

He watched her go, admiring the fit of her jeans. Normally, he preferred the soft curves and expanse of leg revealed by a dress. But the way the worn fabric clung to Brianna’s backside had his body stirring again.

Disgusted with himself, he turned away and focused on the fountain. He had given Cord his word he would care for his sister. That did not include troubling her with unwanted attention.

The soothing sound of water reached his ears, and the lights lit the spray like a thousand diamonds. There was no balm for his damaged spirit like the power of water. Yes, he had wanted to know where the lake was so that he could find Brianna should she disappear. But he wanted the knowledge for himself, as well.

He had much to think about before returning to Munir. Politically, he was now vulnerable. His cousin, Asaad, would seize the opportunity to vie for the throne. Although Rafe was the rightful heir, Assad had enough bloodline and connections to persuade the royal council his agenda was better suited to Munir’s interests.

While he wanted Munir to remain a monarchy, Rafe was in favor of moving toward a democracy. The people had mixed opinions. Munir subjects were accustomed to being coddled and having decisions made for them. Since the land and surrounding sea were both rich with oil, and everyone was well fed, with filled pockets, the people had little interest in change.

But some of the oil fields were drying up, and in order for the royal family to maintain their wealth, the difference in profits would come from the people. Asaad knew that as well as Rafe did, but his cousin was unwilling to sacrifice even a shadow of his assets. To that end, it was imperative he kept the people under his control, kept the country in the backward state in which it languished.

Rafe watched the water cascade from the tiled fountain and took several deep even breaths. Meditation had become as important to him as sleep. Next week in Dallas, he would need all his energy and wits about him. The largest oil lease with the Dallas-based American company was about to expire. It would be up to Rafe to negotiate the best possible deal.

Failing to bring Aliah back was serious. Failing to secure a lucrative deal would be unforgivable. Certain political suicide. Not that he was concerned. He had oil—something the Americans wanted and he knew how to do business with them. That was something he had over Asaad.

His cousin had gone to London and Paris for his education. Although from what the family had heard, he’d spent little time on his studies. Rafe had lived in the United States for six years while attending Harvard. Before that, he had had an American tutor who taught him English from the age of four. And unlike Asaad who showed open disdain for Americans, Rafe liked them. He liked the progressive way they thought, the democratic way they governed and their humanitarian concern for third-world countries.

And he liked American women. The way they dressed and smelled. He especially admired the way they spoke their minds on subjects ranging from politics to child rearing. Of course, in his country, women were not given the same freedom to be so outspoken, but then again, it had not stopped young women like Aliah.

Rafe closed his eyes at the thought of his unruly sister. He hoped she truly had found what she wanted, and this marriage was not a mere act of rebellion. He did not believe so. Not the way she and Cord looked at each other, or the laughter they shared. Rafe had never heard his sister laugh so much as he had in the past few days.

In a way, he envied her. True, the royal family and the people of Munir would not be happy, but at least her taking an American husband could be tolerated. He did not have that luxury. When he finally wedded, the bride would be well chosen according to Munir custom. The idea was a farce. Even as queen, his wife would have no power, or avenue to voice her opinions.

No matter, he would have to find a wife soon before one was selected for him. His parents reminded him often he would soon be past his prime.

Unwilling to dwell anymore on the unpleasant subject, he got up from the table and considered going for a ride to the Desert Rose. Not in the pickup truck but on one of Cord’s fine stallions. Between the Desert Rose and the Flying Ace, the quality of horses they bred would warrant many more scouting trips. Already he had purchased a small herd, but there was always room in the royal stables for another fine thoroughbred.

More important, he would want to visit Aliah. Assure himself all was well with her husband and her new life in America. And of course he would be able to see Brianna.

The thought startled him. Without a doubt he found her very beautiful with her long blond hair and clear blue eyes, and her reserved demeanor was most captivating. But he had not consciously been thinking about her.

Still, she often stole into his thoughts, he realized, uneasiness crawling beneath his skin. He had to move, not sit and think. Brianna would be in her office. A trip to the Desert Rose in the moonlight would occupy him. Perhaps Mac Coleman was still in the stables so they could discuss the foal.

Rafe changed into a pair of jeans, attire to which he had become accustomed while studying at Harvard but seldom wore now. He seemed to live in ties and suits, traveling in the family jet from one meeting to another to wherever the demand for oil led him. Staying here at the Flying Ace would do him good.

He thought about stopping at Brianna’s office to let her know he would be out, but then thought it better she believed he was still around the Flying Ace. Instead, he headed for the stables, enjoying the last remnants of the sunset.

He wished he could share it with Brianna.

The unexpected and intrusive thought angered him and he pushed through the stable doors.

What was it about the girl that she’d slipped into his thoughts so easily? Could it be he wanted more than to keep an eye on her?

Chapter Three

“Hey, Bri, you’re looking good this morning.”

She spun around with her hand to her throat. “Good grief, Chuck, you scared the living daylights out of me.”

“Sorry, darlin’, I sure didn’t mean to do that.” He gave her one of his big cocky grins and slid an arm around her shoulders. “But don’t you worry none. Not when you’ve got big strong Chuckie here to protect you.”

Yeah, but who’d protect her from him? She ducked away, pretending to inspect the new English saddle Cord had bought her last month. “I can take care of myself. I just don’t like anyone sneaking up on me.”

He laughed. “Now, darlin’, I didn’t do any sneaking. As a matter of fact, I do believe I was here first. Even thought you might have come out here to see me.”

Bri gave him a bland look but then laughed at the wounded look on his face. Of course it was an act, but he had the hangdog expression down so well. “You might as well make yourself useful. Help me count these snaffle bits.”

“What for?”

“It’s inventory time.”

Chuck frowned. “No kiddin’. You guys keep track of that kind of stuff?”

“Of course. This is a business.”

“Wow! Pretty and smart, too.” He slid an arm around her waist and urged her toward him.

Bri gave him a none-too-gentle shove. He wasn’t usually so touchy, even though she’d heard rumors about his womanizing from Jessica Grayson and Hannah Coleman. If he thought he could take liberties because Cord was away, he had another thing coming.

“I can handle the inventory,” she said with a warning look. “Why don’t you go back to doing whatever it was you were doing.”

“Hell, I’m sorry, Brianna. I didn’t mean nothin’.” His blues eyes sparkling, he gave her that boyish grin again. It did make him look awfully cute. “Don’t hold my friendly country ways against me.”

Trying not to smile, she raised her eyebrows. “I heard you were from Dallas.”

“True enough. But when my daddy left me and my mama, we moved up to the Panhandle to be near my grandparents. Ever been up there, darlin’?”

Bri’s heart squeezed as she shook her head. She knew more than she cared to about being abandoned.

“Don’t guess you would’ve had reason to visit that part of the state. Ain’t nothin’ there.” He winked. “Especially since I’ve left.”

She laughed. “You are something, that’s for sure. Now, would you leave me alone so I can finish my work?”

His expression got serious suddenly. “Are you going to be leavin’ the Flying Ace anytime soon?”

“Why would you say that?” she asked, knowing full well the reason.

“Me and the boys were talkin’ and…” He shrugged. “I guess now that the boss is married, we figured you might not want to stick around.”

“This is my home, too.” She turned away and picked up the clipboard so he couldn’t see how much the idea of leaving frightened her.

“I know that, darlin’, it’s just, I dunno—”

“Don’t call me darlin’.” Her hands shook, but she tried to hold the pen steady as she made a notation about the condition of the work saddles.

“Now, no need to get all prickly. Of course, I’m hopin’ you don’t go. I imagine that house is plenty big enough for two women.”

Bri focused on the clipboard, unsure how much her eyes would give away. “I can’t imagine that you all don’t have enough work to do that you have time to discuss my future.”

“Whew!” Chuck removed his Stetson and wiped his forehead with the back of his sleeve. “It’s gettin’ mighty hot in here. I best wait till it cools down before I ask you what I came to ask.”

She slanted him a sidelong glance. He was grinning like the Cheshire cat. Darn it. Now he’d stirred her curiosity.

“What?”

“I don’t want to ask you when you’re so steamed.”

She sighed and lowered the clipboard. “I’m not mad. I just don’t like people speculating on my personal business.”

“It wasn’t like that at all, darlin’. Honest.” He hunched his shoulders. “Me and the boys just don’t want to see you go. Me, especially.”

Bri turned away again. Why hadn’t she just let the subject drop? She didn’t care what Chuck wanted to ask her anymore. She wanted him to leave. She just wanted to be alone. She faced him, ready to tell him to go.

He twirled his Stetson in his hands and for the first time she could recall, he looked unsure. “Next week is the Bridle dance and I was wonderin’ if you’d like to go.”

A dance? She nearly dropped the clipboard.

“With me, of course.” He raked a hand through his sandy-colored hair. “I mean, the other guys are goin’, too, but I want you to be my date.”

Bri cleared her throat. “I don’t think so.”

“You already have a date?”

“No, I won’t be going.”

Chuck drew his head back in surprise. “Everyone’s goin’. The dance is a big deal in Bridle.”

“I don’t like to dance,” she murmured as she ran a finger down the list of inventory items.

“Why not?”

“You won’t eat beets.”

He blinked. “So?”

“Well, why not?”

Chuck scratched his head and then set his hat back on. “Darlin’, there ain’t one blessed thing that dancin’ and beets have in common. And that’s a fact.”

Bri sighed and shook her head. So he was cute. Just not the sharpest tool in the shed. “Thank you for asking. But I won’t be going.”

“Come on, Brianna. Don’t say no yet. Think about it. The prettiest girl in the whole dang county can’t sit out the dance. It ain’t right.”

She blushed and bowed her head. “Get out of here and let me get my work done, or I won’t be going anywhere.”

“So, you’ll think about it?”

She still wouldn’t look up, but she heard the grin in his voice. “Goodbye, Chuck.”

“I’ll take that as a maybe.” He laughed. “See you later, darlin’.”

She kept her gaze on the clipboard until she was sure he’d left the stables, and then she sagged against the pole, tempted to slide down and crawl into a ball in the hay. It wasn’t bad enough that she had doubts about her place here at the Flying Ace, but others were talking about it, too.

Maybe she should go to the dance. Start circulating. Meet other ranchers. She’d learned enough about the business in the past year that she could get a job at another ranch. Bridle was a small, tight community, and the odds of a position being open were slim, but there were neighboring communities, and around here everything was done by word of mouth.

But a dance? The thought made her shudder.

Aunt Elaine hadn’t believed in any situation that allowed a boy and girl to get that close, and had forbidden Bri from attending any of the high-school dances. She’d snuck out once, on the pretense of going to the library, but the evening had been a nightmare.

Her clothes had been all wrong. She’d been woefully ignorant of the latest dance steps. Not that she’d been all that familiar with the old ones. All she knew was that dancing was not her cup of tea.

The clipboard slipped from her fingers and fell into the hay. She bent to retrieve it and when she came back up, she saw Rafe standing near the rear door. Not looking as if he’d just arrived.

Her pulse picked up speed and her hand automatically went to her hair. Her ponytail was a mess. “What are you doing here?”

His gaze followed the path Chuck had taken out of the stables. “I thought you had work to do.”

“I do. I—” She didn’t answer to him. “I thought you were going to the Desert Rose.”

“I’m taking one of the horses.”

She hid a smile, unable to picture him driving the pickup she’d offered. Even in jeans, a chambray shirt and boots, he looked different from the other guys around Bridle. More sophisticated. Worldly. Exotic.

Definitely more attractive.

No one else gave her that funny flutter in her tummy.

“Is everything all right?” He narrowed his gaze and then again looked toward the door by which Chuck had left.

“Fine.” She wondered how much he’d heard. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“A woman such as yourself has many admirers. Sometimes their attention can seem overwhelming.”

“Admirers?” Her cheeks burned and she hugged the clipboard to her chest. “Don’t be silly.”

He frowned slightly. “You must not take these young men’s intentions lightly.”

Intentions? She wasn’t going to ask. “Help yourself to any of the horses. Cord favors Lightning, the tan gelding, when his horse is being groomed.”

Rafe stared at her, his dark eyes intense and probing, making her want to confess to sins she hadn’t even committed.

“I have to get back to work,” she said, and turned away from him. Nothing on the paper attached to the clipboard made sense anymore, but it gave her something to focus on.

“Brianna?”

“I’ll have something made for lunch around one. If I’m not around, check the refrigerator.”

He touched her arm and she stiffened. “Why are you so uneasy around me?”

“I’m not.” Heat climbed her neck, and when he urged her to turn around, she lowered her lashes.

“What am I to think but that Aliah has said unkind things about me?”

“That’s not true.” Her gaze flew to his face and she saw the amusement he couldn’t quite hide. “Okay, so you make me a little nervous. I don’t know why. Probably because I’d never met a sheikh before.”

“Now that you have, am I so different than any other man?”

“I guess not,” she said, lying through her teeth. He was different, all right. Taller, darker, more self-assured than any of the guys she knew. And when he smiled. Lord help her. Maybe it was a good thing he didn’t smile all that often.

“Tell me, who was that young man with whom you were speaking?”

“Chuck Williams. He works here.” She narrowed her gaze. “Why?”

“In your brother’s absence, I hope you feel free to come to me if you have any problems.”

She stared at him in disbelief. “I thought you said Cord was only teasing about asking you to watch over me?”

“I am an older brother. I would want someone to take care of Aliah in my absence. In effect, now that she has married, I have handed her over to Cord. It is not unusual for a brother to—”

She made a most unladylike sound of frustration, and then clamped her mouth shut when she realized what she’d done.

His eyebrows drew together in a slight frown. “You are upset.”

“Not really.” Embarrassed was more like it. Aunt Elaine would be mortified and furious at Bri’s manners. Of course, since leaving New Hampshire, Bri had changed in a lot of ways. Thanks to Cord, she had more freedom than she’d ever dreamed possible. “It’s just that—” She shook her head. “It’s not important. I apologize for overreacting.”

He stared at her, his dark eyes searching, and for a moment she feared he wouldn’t let the matter drop. Not that she had any intention of discussing the importance of her newfound independence. Such as it was. Here at the Flying Ace the crippling shyness that had stunted her social life seemed to ease. She felt safe here. At peace. But if she had to venture out into the world again…

She couldn’t even finish the thought.

“No need for an apology, I assure you.”

“You’re right.” At his surprised look, she swallowed. “I’m your hostess while my brother is away, not your ward.” There. She’d said it. “Not that I don’t appreciate your concern.” She sighed at the unnecessary concession.

Rafe’s left eyebrow went up, and she couldn’t tell if he was annoyed or amused.

She didn’t care. She’d said her piece and she wasn’t sorry. “Now, if you will excuse me…”

He touched her arm when she started to turn away. “Answer one question first.”

“Okay,” she said slowly. “If I can.”

“Why would you not want to go to this dance in town?”

She lifted her chin. “You were listening?”

“I overheard. There is a difference.”

Amusement and not annoyance had been on his face, she decided. The look was still there. Condescending, almost paternal. She had a good mind to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him so hard he’d never think of her as a child again.

The mere idea stole her breath. She could no more do something like that than ride bareback in a rodeo. Heck, she still had trouble staying in a saddle. Lots of dogs and cats roamed her New Hampshire neighborhood. No horses.

Texas was a whole new world to her.

So was Rafe.

She swallowed hard at the way he stared into her eyes as if he could read her every thought. “I really have to get back to work.”

“Then I will assist you.”

That startled a laugh out of her. “You? Work?”

Anger flared briefly in his eyes. “The idea surprises you?”

“Well, you couldn’t even get your own breakfast.” She bit her lip, wishing she hadn’t said that.

“Ah, how do you know that was not a ploy to assure myself of your company?”

She blinked. “Huh?”

He laughed, and his whole face changed. “Perhaps I am not the man of leisure you assume.”

“I didn’t assume any such thing. Allie told me how much you do for Munir.”

“Ah, but you think I am ignorant of the mundane tasks of life.”

“Well…” Bri thought about Allie’s first attempts at manual labor and she had to stifle a laugh. “Actually, yes, I do.”

His features tightened. “Your honesty is admirable.”

“Not that I’m being critical. There’s been no need for you or Allie to do things for yourselves.”

“While I was at the university, you would be surprised at what I learned to do for myself.” One side of his mouth lifted and made her wonder what exactly he meant. “Allie did not go away to school and as a result became very pampered.”

“But she’s not anymore. She does a lot around here to help. Heck, before long Cord won’t need—” She gasped, horrified at what she was about to say.

Quickly, she turned back to sorting the bits. She’d already lost count of the bridles. After an hour she’d accomplished nothing. If she couldn’t be useful in the business end of the ranch, no one would need her.

When Rafe remained silent for too long, she finally slid him a glance. And wished she hadn’t. The sympathy she saw in his eyes made her ill.

“Brianna.” He took her hand and she was too stunned to pull away. “Just because a man takes a wife does not mean he does not need his sister.”

“You don’t understand.” She looked down at the toes of her tennis shoes, trying to gather her thoughts, willing herself not to say anything foolish.

He stroked the inside of her wrist with his thumb, and her breath caught. “I understand that you mean a great deal to Cord.”

She met his eyes, and pulled her hand away. “You don’t know him. You can’t say that.”

“Ah, but I am only repeating something he told me.”

“I don’t believe you.”

He smiled. “He also said you were shy, but he neglected to mention refreshingly honest.”

This conversation was not helping. In fact, hurt seeped into the fear. Just how intimately had Cord discussed her with Rafe?

As if reading her mind, Rafe sobered. “Your brother spoke of you only in terms of a warning to me.”

“A warning?”

“I told him how extraordinarily beautiful you are and he told me to…” His dark brows drew together in a puzzled frown. “The saying escapes me. Ah, I believe the term he used was ‘hands off.”’

Bri’s mouth opened but nothing came out. Rafe thought she was beautiful. How was that possible? And then she blinked. “Cord said what?”

“Do not look so troubled. He is your brother, your patron. As we discussed earlier, of course he would defend you.”

Bri shook her head. No sense trying to get through either of their thick, chauvinistic skulls. And then she drew in her lower lip, wondering what Rafe’s response had been. Not that she’d ask him. Not in a million years.

“I have an idea.” He took her hand again.

She gave him a cautious look.

“Go to the Desert Rose with me.”

The heat from his palm pressed to hers traveled up her arm and went straight to her belly. “Why?”

“To watch Mac Coleman train the two new colts. I believe one of them is Rising Star.”

No fair. He knew she had a special fondness for the scrawny colt. Although the way Rafe rubbed the inside of her wrist again was an even more persuasive argument. “You forget I have work to do.”

“It will still be here.”

She hesitated, afraid to meet his eyes.

“Hey, Bri. I almost forgot to ask—”

At the sound of Chuck’s voice, she gave a guilty start and tried to jerk her hand away. Rafe held firm.

Chuck stared at them, obviously startled himself, and then his gaze fell to their clasped hands and his lips thinned.

“Sorry,” he muttered in a sarcastic voice. “Didn’t mean to crash the party.”

With a firm tug, Bri withdrew her hand. She was embarrassed. No getting around it, but she’d be damned if she’d let Chuck get away with acting like a two-year-old and give her that accusatory glare. “You wanted something?” Amazingly her voice didn’t crack.

He glowered at Rafe and then gave her a wounded look. “Never mind.”

“Chuck, come on. You didn’t interrupt, and you obviously wanted something.”

“It’s personal,” Chuck said, darting Rafe a sour glance. “I’ll talk to you later.”

Rafe didn’t offer to leave but stood there, looking bored and impatient, which really annoyed her. In fact, both men annoyed her.

“Fine, then if you’ll both get out of my hair, I can finish this inventory.”

Rafe frowned, his displeasure clear. “I thought we had a date.”

Her gaze immediately went to Chuck, whose eyes had narrowed in contempt. “To watch Mac train over at the Desert Rose? I’d hardly call that a date.”

“Afterward, I will take you to lunch,” he said as if the matter was settled, and then reached for her hand again.

She had just enough wits about her to jerk away, but words failed her. What the heck was he doing? The whole bunkhouse would be gossiping about them by dinnertime. She couldn’t bear the thought. Enough of her life had been hurt by rumors and whispers. All that talk about how she was unwanted, a bastard child…

“Okay, I get the picture.” Chuck took a step back, his expression far from understanding. “But you could’ve told me, Bri, and not waste my time.”

She threw up her hands. “Told you what?”

“That you two were already playing footsies under the table.” Lifting his chin in a cocky manner, he adjusted his Stetson.

“We are not.” She looked to Rafe for help. Maybe he didn’t understand what Chuck was getting at, because he just stood there watching with lazy interest.

“Yeah, well, that’s sure what it seemed like.” Chuck slid Rafe an accusing look, which was received with a stifled yawn.

“Well, I’m telling you how it is.” Bri put her hands on her hips. “Not that I owe you an explanation.”

“Sure enough, darlin’,” Chuck shrugged and took a step back. “Just wish you hadn’t led me on about the dance.”

“I never—” She could end the talk before it started. “Who said I led you on? Of course I’ll go to the dance with you.”

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