Along Came Merrie by Beth D. Carter Read Free Book Online Page B

protected her? Was she transferring her gratitude into something more? She didn’t want to be one of those silly girls who convinced herself she was falling in love when it was a simple case of hero worship.
    More than a little unsettled with her thoughts, she turned on the television back on and watched a movie while she ate her breakfast and pushed Braden firmly to the back of her mind.
     
    * * * *
     
    After a couple of hours, her bladder needed relieving. Carefully, she limped to the small restroom under the stairs. She heard the front door open then Leo called her name. She hurriedly finished her business, washed her useable hand, and when she opened the door, found him looming in the doorway, one fist raised to knock. Startled, Merrie gave a high-pitched squeal. When Leo reached out to steady her, she ended up tripping into his arms.
    For a minute, she just stared into his eyes and he gazed back. Her heart beat frantically from the fright he’d given her but it soon gave way to something different. Awareness sizzled along her nerve endings as if she’d gotten too close to a live wire. His gaze flicked briefly to her mouth and, briefly, hunger flared in the dark depths of his eyes.
    Then he dropped his arms from around her and stepped back. He didn’t say anything as he spun on his heel and walked away. She took a deep, steadying breath, turned off the light and ambled back to the couch. Leo was in the kitchen. Sounds of his puttering around as he made lunch reached her. She picked up his e-reader and opened it to browse his books. Suddenly he set down two plates, each one with a sandwich and potato chips. He disappeared back into the kitchen and when he returned, he carried two cans of soda. He handed her one and she took it with a grateful smile.
    “Thank you for lunch,” she said.
    He shrugged. “I don’t like eating alone. I’m a boring self-conversationalist.”
    She chuckled. “Well, I’ve had nothing but daytime talk shows to sit through, so even if you spouted out mathematical equations for the next hour, I’d much prefer your company.”
    “Um, thanks?”
    They ate their lunches in comfortable companionship. She couldn’t help but sneak peeks at him, admiring his sharp profile. The heritage of his ancestors resided in his features, softened only slightly by a different way of life. The raven hue of his hair shimmered with blue in the sunlight. His eyes were so dark it was hard to tell the irises from the pupils. He caught her studying him.
    “Why are you staring at me?”
    “You’re a very handsome man,” she answered, deciding to be straightforward with him. “You and Braden both are. Why aren’t you two married? Or at least involved with someone.”
    “Braden was married a long time ago,” he replied. “It didn’t work out. As for me, I’ve spent most of my life getting to where I am today. I wasn’t a disciplined student so it took me a long time to accomplish my goals. I never had time to pursue a relationship.”
    “How old are you?”
    “I’m thirty-eight. Braden is forty. How old are you?”
    “I’ve just turned twenty-three. But I’ve decided that I’ll stop aging when I hit twenty-nine.”
    “Oh, yeah? Good luck with that.”
    “Thanks,” she replied breezily. “So Braden told me this is a small horse ranch.”
    “Keeps him busy. Used to be a cattle ranch years ago, when his great granddad first started it. Braden’s father, Clip, began the transition to horses.”
    “And how did you come live with them?”
    “My father used to work for Braden’s dad.” He took a long drink of his soda. “I would come with him and hang out with the horses, and I was good with them. When my father was killed in a car accident, Clip went to my mother and offered to raise me. I have seven other siblings, all younger, so she agreed.”
    “Ouch. That must have stung.”
    “No, not really. I understood but I also didn’t mind because I liked it here. Braden was a great older