Cowboy In The Crossfire(14)

"I didn't hear him." She leaned against the wall. "He won't talk about it. Not one word about who killed Vince. I don't even know for sure if Ethan saw the murderer."

Vulnerability poured from her. Blake understood the helpless feeling all too well, but he wouldn't keep the truth from her. "From what he murmured in his sleep, I think he witnessed everything. Vince told Ethan to hide," Blake said. "Your brother probably saved Ethan's life."

Blake hated to concede the truth. If nothing else, Vince had tried to protect his own family. Just no one else's.

"Vince was a good man, Blake. I know you don't believe that right now, but he was."

"He lied to me about how my family died."

At the sound of his raised voice, Sugar rammed against his stall with an infuriated whinny.

Amanda jumped back and stumbled against a saddle. The stirrup swung as she caught herself.

"Get away from there. He goes crazy if anyone touches Dad's saddle. Go to the other side of the aisle."

"What's wrong with him?" she asked.

"He killed my father."

She gasped but didn't leave. She shifted, clearly ill at ease, and licked her lips. "Why would you care for an animal that hurt you so badly?"

Blake studied the horse, trying not to let his gaze linger on the slight parting of her mouth. "I'm not sure. It just doesn't feel right to blame him. Sugar hasn't been the same since he kicked Dad in the head. The vet suggested we put him down. Mom couldn't do it, so I keep him. I'm the only one he'll let ride him these days." The horse snorted and glared at Blake, pawing at the gate. "Will you just go until I figure out our next move? I'm in as good a mood as Sugar."

"You care about him despite what he did?" Her voice was curious, with a hint of challenge.

Blake could see where she was going. He thought for a moment. "He always had a bad temper, but he was proud, confident. We think he was spooked during a storm and struck out blindly. Now he's got an edge to him. Anger, fear, regret. Maybe that's why I can't put him down."

"Maybe Vince deserves the same benefit of the doubt."

Blake threw the hay into the stall. "Have at it, Sugar." The horse gave the feed a disdainful look. "Yeah, I know. Oats, too. Dad spoiled you." Blake mixed the delicacy. The greedy animal watched, but Blake could have sworn the beast kept his eye on Amanda, too. Just as he knew Amanda was watching him.

He turned and crossed the aisle to stand so near her that he could study any small change in her expression. He tilted his Stetson. "At least Sugar shows remorse. Vince never did."

Pain flashed in her eyes and a slight wince twisted her lips. "You're wrong."

He ignored the small intake of breath, the delicacy of her skin, even the slight blush in her cheeks almost hidden by the wild curl of her auburn hair.

"It doesn't matter now. Life goes on, and you deal with it. My priorities are to keep you, Ethan and my town safe, find out the truth about my family and bring the guilty to justice. No more. No less."

He backed away from temptation, from the ache to touch and play with those curls, just to see if she still smelled of jasmine, and if his body still leaped to attention at the scent.

Sugar whinnied, and Blake reached into his pocket for a lump of sugar. He eased over to the stall and stuck his hand in, palm flat. "You bite me, and it's over."

As if Sugar knew Blake was serious, he snatched the treat and paced.

"If you want to protect me, then help me leave. Help me disappear." She reached for Blake's arm and tugged at his coat. Her hand brushed his. She didn't understand how his skin could be warm when her body shivered with cold, clear to the bone. She quaked in the flimsy coat. "Please. For Ethan."

She leaned closer and met his gaze, trying to read his intentions, trying to ascertain how much she could count on him. He shrugged out of his sheepskin, and with unbelievably gentle hands, wrapped the warm, wool-lined jacket around her. She had to sigh as Blake's own heat seeped into her skin from the lining, like a cocoon of protection. She wanted to close her eyes and lean on him, to let Blake take over. She'd wanted his embrace since that mind-blowing kiss that Christmas Eve. Her knees trembled and she clutched at him. He clasped her arms in his warm hands, his gaze compelling her to look at him. The gold flecks in his hazel eyes burned hot with intensity. And something else. Something she'd thought she'd never see again. Desire.

"You don't have to face this alone." His voice had gone low as he stared her down. His breath caught. The awareness dancing between them sparked to life.

Her heart fluttered in response to his nearness. She could feel the heat radiating from him. Not only from his body, but also from his gaze. Why was this happening to her?

She wanted nothing from him except a way to run.

Instead, her lips tingled, wanting to be tasted. She licked them, and he let out a small moan. He cupped her cheek and tugged at the auburn curls that had escaped from their clip. Gently, he pushed her hair from her face. "Did I ever tell you that you're beautiful?"

"Blake--"

"No, I wouldn't have. You were forbidden fruit."

He leaned in slowly, giving her plenty of time to resist him, but she couldn't back away. No matter what her mind screamed, her instincts kept her feet firmly planted. "This is a bad idea. There's too much going on. It's not real." The pulse in his throat throbbed, and a whiff of pine from his cologne tickled her nostrils. Her favorite. Did she love that scent because Blake had always worn it? "I have to disappear. I can't stay."