Читать книгу What a Man Needs - Patricia Thayer - Страница 13

F our hours later, Cynthia and Kelly returned to the Tanner Ranch from town. Cynthia had brought back her car, along with two suitcases filled with jeans, blouses and a couple of pairs of boots for her stay.

Nora greeted them, then took her to the ranch house, recounting some of the history of the hundred-year-old structure. The place had been remodeled, showing off shiny hardwood floors throughout covered partly by taupe-colored rugs. The large, overstuffed furniture in the main room was done in earth tones and arranged around the stone fireplace and a large television.

“Years ago Patrick knocked out the wall between the dining room and living room,” Nora explained. “He said he needed to keep an eye on all of us girls and this way it was easier.”

“What about your parents?” Cynthia asked, surprised that Nora hadn’t mentioned them.

Sadness flashed in the young girl’s eyes. “They’re dead. My mother passed away when I was about nine and my father a few years later.”

“I’m sorry.” Cynthia knew how it was to be without a father since her parents were divorced, but to lose both would be devastating.

“Thank you. It was tough at first,” Nora explained, “but Jane, Karen and I had Patrick. He was the one who kept the family together, who worked around the clock to save our home. He’d just turned twenty-one when Dad died, and had been handling the ranch long before that.”

Nora managed a shaky smile. “Will you listen to me go on. I’m sure you’re not interested in our family history.”

“Not so. I know what it’s like to be without a parent. Kelly’s and my father left us when I was ten.” Of course it had been better than the nonstop fights, Cynthia remembered sadly.

Just then the back door opened and Patrick walked in carrying her two suitcases. Kelly followed behind him with a small duffel bag. His wary gaze was directed at her. He didn’t say anything, but the meaning was clear. He wasn’t happy she was here.

“I’m putting these in Janie’s old room.”

Kelly handed Cynthia the duffel. “Better go with Patrick and see your accommodations.”

Cynthia reluctantly crossed the room to the wide oak staircase. On the second floor, there was no sign of Patrick Tanner so she continued down the hall, glancing into several of the bedrooms. Each one of them was neat and tidy, adorned with subtle homey touches. So unlike her modern hillside house in LA. Finally she found her host in a soft yellow room with an ivory chenille bedspread covering a canopy bed. Cynthia smiled. She would have given anything to have had a room like this growing up.

At the row of windows across the room Patrick pulled back the floral curtains, then raised the windows, letting in the sweet-smelling country breeze.

Patrick turned around, but he refused to look at Cyndi. What had he done to deserve this? He never brought women to the ranch—to his home. Not since Gwen. Damn. He hated thinking about how stupid he’d been back then. How much it had nearly cost him.

“The bathroom is across the hall,” he instructed her. “Towels are in the cupboard. I don’t have a full-time housekeeper, so you’ll have to make your own bed and clean up after yourself.”

“I can manage that.”

Patrick stole another look and his breath caught in his chest. She was beautiful. Her face, her flawless skin, those expressive eyes. Memories of last night came flooding back. Cyndi’s passion, her eagerness in their lovemaking…then her disappearance. It had never crossed his mind that she was the movie star Cynthia Reynolds.

“Good,” he said, “because no one here has time to wait on you.”

“Patrick, have I made you angry?”

Hell, yes. “No, I’m just busy. I have a mare in season.”

“Please, don’t let me keep you,” she told him without any sarcasm in her tone. “I said I didn’t want any special treatment, and I meant it.”

Cynthia wondered if she would ever again see the Patrick she’d met at Morgan’s. The man who had been so attentive, so loving. She realized she wanted to see that sexy smile of his again.

He gave her a sharp nod. “Sounds good to me,” he said, but remained standing there with his hands on his hips. Those narrow hips attached to those long muscular legs. She let her gaze move upward over his flat stomach, to his broad chest and shoulders, unable to erase the memory of every alluring naked inch of this man.

Her pulse shot off, racing. Staying here for the next ten days was going to be torture. If this movie role wasn’t so important, she wouldn’t be here.

She picked up one of her suitcases and tossed it on the bed just as Nora and Kelly came in, nearly running into Patrick as he tried to get out the door.

Nora called to him, “Patrick, I’m cooking a tri-tip roast for dinner so be on time.”

He mumbled something impossible to understand, then all they heard were footsteps on the stairs.

“Oh, Cyndi, I had another room picked out for you,” Nora said as she glanced around. “I don’t know why my brother put you here. We can move you.”

“No, this is fine. I think we’ve disturbed Patrick enough for one day. I’m going to try and do exactly what he wants.” She glanced at her sister. “And you, I’m not finished with you. You didn’t even give me a chance to decide what I wanted to do. I’m not sure I can handle this.”

Kelly didn’t seem fazed as she helped unpack the clothes, putting things inside the dresser drawers. “If I’d waited, the movie role would have been gone before you decided to get near a horse again.”

Cynthia took out her cosmetic bag along with her bottle of NoWait oil. She glanced at Nora. “Is she like this at the office? If so, I feel sorry for you.”

Nora smiled. “I thought my sisters and I were the only ones who argued like this. I’m the baby so I have no sympathy for older sisters. I got bossed around by everyone.”

“Yeah, but I bet you were spoiled, too,” Cynthia said, glaring at Kelly. “Just remember all the mistakes are made on the oldest child.”

“And I got all your hand-me-downs,” Kelly tossed back.

Cynthia knew that Kelly wasn’t just talking about clothes. During their teenage years they’d shared a few boyfriends, too. She surprised herself by saying, “Not anymore.”

Kelly grinned. “I guess there are some things we need to put off-limits.”

Cynthia wondered what had gotten into her. Had she gotten territorial over Patrick? She shook away the thought, knowing she needed to concentrate on her challenge of learning to ride.

But which one was going to give her the most trouble—the horse or the man?

After dinner, Patrick stood out on the back porch watching a light rain wash over the mountains. Billowy clouds clung to the peak, hiding the last of the day’s sun. He loved this time. The end of a busy day, when his body felt a satisfied tiredness, which meant he’d accomplished a lot. And he had. If everything went as planned, the mare Black Knight had covered today would soon test pregnant.

Later that afternoon, he and Forest had ridden out to check fences and the herd. The cows and the new calves were doing fine. Then they went on to the west section to check the ten acres of rootstock vines they’d planted last spring. And finally he’d made it home in time to have a great dinner.

He liked having his sister home and he loved her cooking. With Nora working in Portland she hadn’t been able to get out to the ranch much. That meant he was usually all alone. Not that he got lonely. He had plenty to keep him busy. And that was the way he liked it.

Old memories rushed into his head. Aside from his sisters it had been years since he’d shared his life with anyone. Not since Gwen had ripped out his heart and nearly bankrupted him. He’d wanted a wife, a second mother for the girls, especially someone to love. But she had played him for a fool.

Since then, Patrick had decided that he didn’t need the hassle or heartache. After striking out with Gwen, he realized he wasn’t cut out for relationships. So he kept any associations with women short, nothing serious, nothing permanent. And he’d let them know the score by the second date. But waking up this morning in the hotel room alone meant he’d never get the chance for that.

Now he needed to stop remembering his incredible night with Cynthia Reynolds. His body suddenly stirred to life and he cursed his weakness. How was he going to handle having this woman around, sharing his home…his life?

Just then the door opened and Cyndi, Kelly and Nora walked out onto the porch. Nora came up to him. “Patrick, Kelly and I are headed back to town, unless you need anything.”

My solitary life back, Patrick thought as he shook his head. “I can’t think of a thing.” He leaned down so his sister could kiss him goodbye.

“Then I guess I’ll be going.” She looked him in the eye. “Behave yourself. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Kelly and Cyndi hugged, then she and Nora walked to their cars. Cyndi waved until they drove off, then turned to Patrick.

“Would you mind if I stayed out here for a while? I’m a little too restless to sleep.”

Yeah, he knew the feeling. “It’s a free country.”

Cynthia leaned against the post and looked toward the barn. This wasn’t going to be easy, especially since she couldn’t seem to push aside the feelings this man churned up in her. “You own a beautiful piece of Oregon, Patrick.”

“I know. Wouldn’t live anywhere else.”

Cynthia knew she should go up to her room, but the draw to him was magnetic. She couldn’t stop the need she felt to rediscover this handsome man with the killer eyes, sexy grin and to-die-for mouth. She moved closer and could feel his heat, smell his fresh soap scent.

“Nora said you’ve lived here all your life.”

He gave her a stiff nod. “True.”

“That’s nice,” she said. “After my parents divorced, our mother moved us all to L.A.” She remembered the endless crummy apartments in bad neighborhoods. As a twelve-year-old kid, she’d dreamed of a house and no money problems.

But Carol Reynolds hadn’t been good at handling money, a job and kids. She was never meant to be without a man. If only she’d known how to pick the right ones. After two more bad marriages, her mother had wisely chosen to stay single. Why not? Her oldest daughter made sure she’d been taken care of. Cynthia had made a lot of money in her career, even if she never worked again.

“I was there once,” Patrick’s voice broke into her reverie. “Hated the place. Too many cars and people.”

“That’s true. I don’t like to drive around on the freeways, either.” She glanced toward the shadow of the mountains. “Like I said, you live in a great place.”

“Well, it may be a great place but we start early in the morning. So you need to get to bed.”

He started to move away, and something made her touch his arm to stop him.

“Please, not yet,” she whispered, not willing to end it. “It’s barely dark.”

Cynthia’s heart began to race when he gazed into her eyes. “You’re right.” His warm breath caressed her face. “It’s not nearly dark enough. I can still see the fiery highlights in your hair.” His gaze lowered. “And your sexy mouth.”

The rush of pleasure his words caused was so intense she couldn’t speak or resist when he reached for her and jerked her against him. Then he leaned down and took teasing bites from her lower lip. “Damn, you’re too tempting.”

She whimpered and her fingers gripped his shoulders.

His sapphire eyes met hers. “Want more?”

Cynthia’s throaty whisper was barely audible, but he heard her. When he closed his mouth over hers, the muscles in her legs were suddenly nonexistent. But Patrick held on to her as his mouth moved over hers. His tongue slipped inside and rubbed against hers, recreating flashes of their night together. His touch, his mouth, his… Suddenly he released her and stepped back. His eyes were dark and intense.

“If you think this is going to make tomorrow easier, think again,” he whispered. “So you better get some sleep.” He turned and walked off the porch toward the barn.

Cynthia was still trying to catch her breath. What had gotten into her? What was it about this man that made her want her hands on him all the time? She’d never thrown herself at a man before. She raked her fingers through her hair. Well, she’d better think of a way to control herself and remember why she was here. To learn to ride.

She turned and headed inside the house. She doubted she’d be dreaming about horses tonight.

Patrick wasn’t in a good mood the next morning. He’d been up by five to do chores, even though he hadn’t slept much at all, not after kissing Cyndi. He’d lain awake, unable to get her out of his head.

He checked his watch. It was six o’clock and time to meet his student. He headed to the barn for the first lesson, but he doubted that Cynthia Reynolds was even out of bed yet. He groaned. The picture of the sexy redhead in tumbled sheets was not something he needed to think about. At least it meant that he could send her packing and out of his life. Then he could get back to normal.

Patrick walked into the barn and stopped when he saw his student standing in the center aisle. Dressed in worn jeans and a pink blouse, she looked too damn good for this early.

“Am I on time?” she asked.

“You’re fine.” He ignored her cheerfulness, trying to stay down to business. “Follow me,” he said and walked to a stall. A camel-colored horse with a white star on her forehead immediately came to the gate. Cyndi stopped about ten feet back and her face turned pale.

Patrick frowned. “What happened to you?”

“What do you mean?”

“What’s the reason you’re so terrified of horses?”

She shrugged. “A horse is a big animal.”

“Yeah.” He petted the animal. “But something else happened to make you look like you’re going to pass out. And if you want to ride, you better tell me what I’m dealing with.”

Cyndi let out a breath. “When I was six, my dad took us to his family’s farm in Missouri. He thought it was time that I learned to ride. All I can remember was that the horse was huge, but my dad still put me in the saddle. I begged him to take me off. He told me not to be a baby. The animal started moving sideways and I screamed when I lost control and ended up falling off. I broke my leg…and ruined the family vacation.”

“I’d say your dad was a fool. Sounds like the horse wasn’t used to kids.” He went to the gate and rubbed the mare’s nose. “Daisy isn’t like that. She’s the sweetest animal here. All my sisters learned to ride on her. Isn’t that so, sweetie?” He crooned to the horse, but when he glanced at Cyndi she didn’t looked convinced. “Look, I’m not going to force you to do anything. Maybe you’re not ready to get on a horse today. The first step is to get used to your mount. So come here and just pet Daisy.”

Surprisingly Cyndi did as he asked, came closer and reached out a shaky hand. Patrick took her sweaty palm and placed it against Daisy’s forehead. The animal obviously welcomed the attention. “See, she likes it.”

Cyndi smiled and Patrick felt it all the way to his toes as she continued the stroking.

“You’re such a pretty horse,” she said.

Daisy bobbed her head and they both laughed.

“I’d suggest you take this slow, but you only have ten days. Now, I have no idea what horses they’ll be using in the movie, but if you learn what to do and what not to do around a horse, that should help you.”

Cyndi nodded. “At this point, anything would help me.”

“You have to know that animals sense your fear, but a little respect is a good thing. As you mentioned, horses are a lot bigger than we are. I’ve trained all the horses on the ranch and I’ve never raised a hand or a whip to any of them. I find they respond better to a gentle touch and my voice.”

Cynthia already knew firsthand about Patrick’s gentle touch. She blinked away the memory and turned back to Daisy. “I can do that.”

“Good,” he said, then smiled. “For the next ten days the two of you are going to spend a lot of time together. You’ll be Daisy’s sole caretaker. You’ll not only be riding her, you’ll feed her, groom her and clean her stall.” His blue eyes locked with hers. “If you can’t handle that, now is the time to let me know.”

Cynthia knew he was giving her a chance to quit. Not to say she hadn’t thought a lot about it during the night. She could walk away, go back to Hollywood and find another movie. No! She wanted this one. She wanted the role in Cheyenne.

“Show me what to do.”

“First, you and Daisy need to get familiar with each other. She has to get used to your voice, your commands. You two need to become friends.”

Cynthia followed Patrick to a room at the end of the barn. Inside, the scent of leather and polish was overwhelming but pleasant. She glanced around at the dozens of saddles atop sawhorses, and walls lined with bridles and halters.

“Later on you’ll come in here to get Daisy’s tack, so you’re going to have to know where to put everything back where it belongs.” He took a leather halter from a hook, then went to one of the saddles with beautiful hand tooling. “When the time comes, this will be the saddle you’ll use. And you have to be strong enough to get it on Daisy.”

She nodded, then followed Patrick back to Daisy’s stall. He opened the gate and went inside. He ran his hand over the horse, speaking softly as he examined her, then slipped the harness on. “Watch how I’m doing this because tomorrow I’m going to expect you to be able to handle it.”

“What if I can’t?” she asked.

He stopped what he was doing and studied her a moment. “If I didn’t think you could do this, I never would’ve considered taking you on.”

“You’re doing just fine,” Patrick said as he watched Cyndi lead Daisy around the corral. He could see her uneasiness, but she was toughing it out and doing everything he’d asked of her. The old mare was a trouper, too. She could put up with nearly anything as long as she got some attention.

“Talk to her,” Patrick coaxed. “Daisy will respond to your voice.”