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worked its way up and around to his ears. Very cute.
    He looked at her, his eyes warm and green and questioning, and for a second she thought he was going to lean down and kiss her. She sort of hoped he would.
    Abruptly, he stood up straight, turned on his heel, and went out the door.

Chapter 7
    There were a lot of things Mal knew she shouldn’t be doing. She shouldn’t be lying to a perfectly nice family in Kentucky while her practically ex-husband pined away for her in his own maniacal way. She shouldn’t be letting Miss Libby do her laundry or cook her meals without pitching in, although she was not entirely sure that one could be prevented.
    The main thing she definitely should not be doing, though, was lusting after her fake fiancé’s surly older brother.
    He was rude and practically mute and really seemed to think she was an idiot.
    But then he kept the dog out of sight because he knew she was afraid.
    And he had really big hands.
    Dammit.
    Well, she thought as she shoved her feet into her shoes and followed Keith out the door, the least I can do is make myself the smallest burden possible .
    She walked down the two steps from the kitchen door out into the yard. Libby’s vegetable garden was to her right; maybe she could help weed later. First things first, though, she thought, walking toward the stables.
    Keith was nowhere to be seen. But she did see the guy in the dirty hat who’d taken Peanut out. Peanut was also nowhere to be seen.
    â€œChase?” she asked, shielding her eyes from the afternoon sun.
    He looked up at her curiously, then his face broke out into a million-dollar grin. He was tall and lanky, maybe even taller than Keith, with high cheekbones, a sharp jaw, and bright blue eyes that lit up when he smiled.
    Was every man in Kentucky handsome? Did other women know about this?
    â€œYou must be Mal, Luke’s girl.”
    She stopped in her tracks. “Well, I don’t know if I’m his girl, per se.”
    â€œSorry, Luke’s woman?” He had a slightly bemused smile on his well-defined face. He was laughing at her. Or with her? She wasn’t really laughing, but somehow, this guy made her feel like she was in on the joke.
    â€œI like to think I’m my own woman.”
    â€œOh, that’s right, you’re a Yankee. Sorry, let me put on my Yankee manners.” He shook her hand firmly. “It’s nice to meet you, as equals.”
    â€œYou don’t think Kentucky women are equals?”
    â€œSure I do, but I’m not going to tell them that.”
    She wasn’t sure if that was sexist or charming. A little of both, probably. “Listen, I was wondering if you could help me with something.”
    â€œSure, little lady.” Now he was definitely teasing her.
    â€œKnock it off, cowboy.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    She smiled. Ma’am. Nothing can make you feel old or disheveled like someone your own age calling you “ma’am.”
    â€œChase, are you familiar with Peanut? The dog?”
    â€œIf you’re talking about the three-legged mutt who tried to help me dig fence posts all morning while I tried to keep him from tripping up my horse, then, yes, I am familiar with Peanut.”
    â€œSee, that’s what I’m talking about. You don’t usually take Peanut to, uh, work with you, do you?”
    â€œNo, ma’am,” he said, starting to sound a little skeptical.
    â€œDid Keith ask you to do that today?”
    He was definitely skeptical now, if his charming face was any indication. “Yes.”
    â€œDo you know why?”
    She swore she could see the gears turning in his head as he pondered whether or not he should admit that he knew about her fear of dogs, and potentially sell out his employer, or play dumb. He didn’t look like he was very good at playing dumb. Apparently he wasn’t.
    â€œYes, ma’am,” he said slowly, narrowing his eyes at her a