What a Man Needs by Patricia Thayer Read Free Book Online Page A

night.”
    Forest dried his hands on the towel and sat down at the table across from her. “Is she coming back tonight?”
    Patrick pulled out a chair. “Nora does have a job.”
    Forest’s gaze went to Cynthia. “I know. She works for your sister, Kelly. The lawyer. Right?”
    She nodded, noticing his subtle interest. “Yes, she has a practice in Portland.”
    The foreman shook his head. “Beauty and brains, not to mention guts, all in the same family.”
    â€œWhy do you say that?” she asked.
    Forest took a drink of milk. “Because you both have demanding and successful careers.”
    She didn’t want to go into her lack of movie roles the past few years. “I’ve been lucky.”
    He smiled and tiny lines appeared around his eyes. “Don’t sell yourself short, Cyndi. Your talent has had a lot to do with it.”
    Before she could say anything, Patrick’s chair scraped the floor as he got up. “It’s time to get back to work.” He carried his plate to the sink where he stood and finished his milk.
    â€œPatrick,” she called to him, “what do you want me to do?”
    â€œTake the rest of the day off. I’m going to be busy.” With those parting words, he was out the door.
    Cynthia didn’t know what to say. She looked at Forest. “What just happened here?”
    â€œNothing that’s your fault. Patrick likes you well enough. He’s just not sure he can trust you, but then he hasn’t trusted any woman in a long time.”
    So the fascinating Patrick Tanner had a past—had been hurt. Cynthia couldn’t help but wonder what kind of woman could walk away from this man.

Four
    T wo hours later, Patrick was still fuming. He pulled on his horse’s reins to slow him, then started walking along the barbed-wire fence. He turned in the saddle and saw that Forest was in his sights.
    What the hell was wrong with him? He didn’t have any hold on Cynthia Reynolds. They’d spent one night together. She was only around now because she was paying him a lot of money to teach her to ride, not to give her attitude.
    Patrick blew out a long breath. He’d pridedhimself on his control. For years, he’d fought hard to be nothing like his father. Michael Tanner hadn’t set much of an example for his son. He’d drunk to excess and used his fists freely, especially on his wife and kids. Years ago, the old man had told his son that a few slaps kept them in line. They needed to learn respect, just like his daddy had taught him.
    Patrick was the second generation Tanner who’d been raised by an abusive father. Shutting his eyes, he felt his gut clench, remembering the awful circumstances of his mother’s death. The police had called it an accident. He knew better. He didn’t doubt that Mary Tanner had died at her husband’s hands when he’d shoved her down the basement stairs. He took several calming breaths, but it didn’t ease the guilt he’d carried with him for years. If he’d been home that night, he could have saved his mother.
    Patrick heard Forest ride up.
    â€œHey, boss, you think I can have the night off if I get all my chores done?”
    â€œKnock it off.” Patrick didn’t need his friend’s sarcasm.
    â€œLook, Pat, I’m not interested in Cyndi. She’s nice and I like talking to her. That’s all.”
    â€œWhy should I care if you are?”
    â€œBecause, my friend, whether you want to admit it or not, you’re interested in her. You can’t even stand it when she talks to me.”
    â€œThat’s crazy.” He knew it was a lie, but he wasn’t going to admit to anything. “She’s just a client I’m teaching to ride. Yeah, she’s moved into my house and disrupted my life, but she’s also paying me enough to help plant a lot more acres of vines next spring.” He glanced at his