Perfect Touch by Elizabeth Lowell Read Free Book Online Page B

cows.”
    â€œNo horses, either.”
    â€œNothing’s perfect,” she said.
    â€œExcept the name of your company.”
    She laughed. He’s quick. I really like that in a man. Or a woman, for that matter. Too many people just stumble through life, eyes fixed on the ground.
    Jay’s cell phone made a sound like a bawling calf. Slowing down, he pulled the phone out of his pocket. As he moved, his pants pulled across his crotch tight enough to strike a match on.
    A quick mind isn’t all he has. I like that in a man, too. A lot. Sara felt like fanning herself and settled for blowing out a soft breath.
    â€œWhat’s up?” he said into the phone.
    â€œWhere the hell are you?” Henry demanded. “I got back to the ranch near an hour ago.”
    â€œI’m a few minutes out.”
    â€œWell, take your foot off the damn brake. Liza’s here and she’s mad as a skunk in a bubble bath.”
    Though the news of Liza made Jay want to turn the truck around and head back to town, he said, “On my way.”
    He shoved his phone back in his pocket and started driving like he was alone.
    After a few hard bumps, Sara braced herself and hoped the ranch wasn’t too many more miles away.

CHAPTER 6
    V ERMILION RANCH’S MAIN house was sheltered among huge old trees whose leaves were just past budding. They surrounded the second story of the house in a shimmer of faint green. Fenced pastures bigger than Sara’s family farm spread lushly in every direction. Outbuildings were scattered at the back of the house. Pickup trucks of varying ages and upkeep were tucked close to a bunkhouse.
    Though the exterior of the living quarters could have used some paint, the pasture fences were straight and tightly wired. Like the barns and outbuildings, sections of fence had been recently repaired.
    Jay drove straight up to the big house and parked next to a red Mercedes that looked like a beauty queen in a construction yard.
    â€œThis could be ugly,” he said.
    â€œAt least your family has stuff worth fighting over,” Sara said, releasing her seat belt. “We always fought hard because we had close to nothing.”
    â€œSome folks never get enough.”
    â€œThen it’s not money they’re after.”
    â€œLiza doesn’t understand that,” Jay said, opening his door. “Too damn bad the ranch doesn’t have enough money to fill the hole inside her. Never has. Never will.”
    The door shut hard behind him.
    Two black-and-white dogs raced out from behind the house, barking as fast as they were running.
    Jay gave a shrill whistle. “Skunk, Lightfoot, go back to the barn.”
    The dogs looked disappointed, but trotted off toward the barn.
    Sara slid down out of the truck and nearly landed on Jay’s big boots. When he steadied her, heat sizzled through her blood at the casual strength in his arms. She remembered his jeans stretching tight across his lap when he reached for his phone.
    Think of something else.
    Anything else.
    Like having to live in the country again.
    Her blood cooled immediately.
    â€œI’ve had clients like Liza,” Sara said. “Well off and able to do nearly all of what they want, but all they think about is what they don’t have. It gnaws at them. They love buying things, because until the sale is closed they’re in the spotlight. I think it’s really the attention they crave.”
    â€œOnce a showgirl, always a showgirl.” Jay shut the passenger door and took Sara’s arm.
    â€œWas she really? Liza?”
    â€œWhen JD met her, she was slinging drinks and dancing. Mom had just died, and Custer talked JD into a wild drunk weekend. JD and Liza were married about four months later.”
    â€œHe must have been very lonely.” And vulnerable, Sara thought.
    â€œThat’s one explanation,” Jay said neutrally.
    The front door of the ranch house opened, revealing