Fire and Rain by Elizabeth Lowell Read Free Book Online

years ago when he had told her that she wasn't woman enough to love a man.
     "Hey," Ten said gently, "don't take the boss seriously. He's just upset about that black mare of his. She's going downhill fast and the vet can't figure out why."
     Carla made a neutral sound and kept on searching the cupboards. She found nothing useful. Part of the problem was that she was fighting against tears. The rest of the problem was that she wanted to throw things.
     "Is that big pot boiling yet?" she asked tightly.
     Ten lifted the lid. "Nope."
     "Close?"
     "Nope. I'll tell the men to take their time washing up."
     "Thanks."
     Carla finally found the pot holders, retrieved the cobbler and set it aside to cool. While looking for the pot holders she also found the coffeepot. Like everything else in the kitchen, the pot was oversize. It quite literally made gallons of coffee at a time. She filled everything, putting in twice the coffee any sane person would have wanted, and thumped the pot onto the stove to perk.
     By the time she lit the burner under the coffee, the spaghetti water was showing vague signs of life. With a heartfelt prayer she slammed the lid back in place and resumed searching the cupboards for plates.
     "What are you looking for?" Ten asked from the doorway.
     "Plates," Carla said despairingly, shutting another cupboard door with more force than necessary.
     "They're in the mess hall, along with knives, forks, spoons and all the rest."
     She flashed him a grateful smile. "Thanks."
     Ten shook his head as Carla rushed past him, all but running. "Slow down, niña. The men won't starve if they have to wait a bit for chow."
     "Tell Luke."
     "All right."
     Carla grabbed Ten's arm as he headed through the kitchen toward Luke's office at the other end of the house.
     "I was just kidding," she said quickly.
     "I wasn't." Ten looked down at Carla's unhappy face and shook his head. "You haven't been here two hours and already you look like somebody rode you hard and put you away wet. Have you tried telling Luke how you feel?"
     "The first day on a job is always tough."
     Ten made an impatient sound. "That's not what I meant. Have you told Luke that you're in love with him?"
     For an instant Carla felt as though the floor had dropped from beneath her feet. She tried to speak. No words came. Red flooded her face.
     "Hell, Carla. There isn't a man on this place who doesn't know it, except maybe Luke. Don't you think it's time you told him?" Ten sighed.
     Her lips trembled as she thought about a night three years ago. She licked her dry lips and said carefully. "He knows."
     Ten said something harsh beneath his breath, took off his hat and raked his fingers through his black hair. After a moment he sighed and said, "It's none of my business, but damn it, I hate seeing anything as gentle as you get hurt. Chasing something that doesn't want to be caught can be real painful."
     "That's not…" Carla's voice faded. "That's not why I'm here. I came to cure myself of loving … of my childish infatuation…" She swallowed twice and tried again, holding her voice steady with an effort. "I think Luke must have guessed why I'm here, so he's doing everything he can to help the process along."
     It was Ten's turn to be speechless. He shook his head and turned away, swearing softly. As an afterthought he added, "I'll set the table."
     "Thank you, Ten. I'll be more together tomorrow, I promise." Silently Carla added, I've got to be. I can't spend the summer holding my breath, feeling my heart beat like a wild bird in a net, listening, listening, listening for Luke's footsteps, his voice, his laughter.

     The rattle of the lid against the pot of spaghetti water jarred Carla from her unhappy reverie. The water was boiling energetically. She added salt and oil and began ripping apart packages of pasta. By the time the last package went in, the water was back to lying motionless in the pot. Anxiously she looked at the big