Breathless

  Dedication

  For my Mark. Thank you. You are everything to me.

  And to Jenny.

  Thank you for always believing in me.

  Chapter One

  Gabe walked beside Emma as she sauntered down the steps toward his pickup.

  Sauntered.

  There was a word for you. Not one he used all that often, but there it was. She sauntered, and damned nicely, if you asked him. What made her even more desirable, besides the full, soft mouth and denim-blue, come-to-bed eyes, was her laugh.

  It was addictive, like a drug that was just out of reach but craved with an intensity that shocked you.

  The first time he heard it, he’d nearly fallen off the stool at his brother’s bar. Sitting down to eat quickly before the evening rush, he’d heard that incredible burst of sound wash over him from behind.

  Turning around, he’d seen the woman that they’d all been making such a fuss about. The men had been wondering how they’d gotten so lucky she’d picked this town to live in, and the women had been wondering what they’d done to deserve it. Her moving to Jefferson’s Crossing, apparently from Australia, of all places, was the most interesting thing to have happened in their sleepy little Colorado town in ages.

  The insane thing was she seemed to have no idea how incredibly gorgeous she looked. He darted a quick glance in her direction. Shorts and a New York Yankees tee-shirt. Her long, rich brown hair was pulled back roughly into a ponytail, with soft strands falling out all over the place. Covered head to toe in plaster dust, she didn’t look the kind of girl who was deliberately trying to hook a man. The problem was she looked all the more tempting for that fact.

  She’d been in town a week now, and already the guys were wagering on whom she’d date first. There was a list. The blame for that could be laid right at the feet of his friend Ryan. Gabe thought it a little over the top, but since he refused to be placed on the list anyway, it didn’t really matter to him.

  Not that he’d been asked.

  She kept to herself, having come into the bar only that first evening she was here, and that had only been for directions. She’d hardly been seen since, which was something that had rattled more than a few cages.

  “So, ma’am, I think you have a problem,” Gabe said, glancing over at her.

  Emma laughed. That unbelievable sound washed over his nerve endings, calming at the same time as inciting them. His breath caught in his lungs. He had to get away from this little lady. She was trouble. Big trouble.

  “Please don’t call me ma’am, Gabe. It makes me feel a hundred years old. Besides, no one calls anyone ma’am in Australia.”

  Gabe turned to face her, ignoring the rush of blood through his body in response to her smile. And that accent. It was amazing. The way she said certain words wormed inside his ears and wrapped around his brain.

  “You’re not in Australia anymore. You’re in Colorado. And here, people will call you that. One of those little things you’re going to have to get used to, I’m afraid. If you like, I’ll try to remember not to. How’s that sound?”

  Emma’s mouth curved into a full smile. “Thank you. I’d appreciate it.” She looked at her pickup and shook her head. “Who would ever have thought I’d be driving one of these? They’re so damned big!”

  Gabe eyed the large black truck parked on the circular driveway in front of them. He shrugged a shoulder.

  “Whatever you’re comfortable with, I suppose. What made you choose it if you think it’s too big?” he asked, curiosity overriding his good judgment. He didn’t need to know details about this woman.

  “It’s safe.”

  Her flat tone pulled his attention back to her again.

  Very interesting.

  Gabe looked at Emma a little closer. This girl had secrets. He raised an eyebrow but said nothing. It was her business. Everyone was entitled to their own personal demons.

  God knows he had plenty.

  “That it is. There’re wild deer around these parts, so if you’re driving at night, just keep an eye out, okay? Sometimes they’re hard to spot.”

  The tight set left her features, a slight smile tilting her lips.

  “Thanks, I appreciate that. When you move to a new place, it’s hard to know the little things. The local knowledge. Usually you only find out when you do something stupid. You said earlier you have cattle?” she asked, curiosity making her eyes sparkle in the sunlight.

  Gabe nodded and shifted his gaze to the left. Her ear looked very interesting all of a sudden. “Yeah. I have a ranch a few miles out, on Hampton Road.” He turned and pointed to the south. “That way. I run a part-time veterinary practice from there, along with keeping my own cattle.”

  Emma nodded vaguely in the direction he’d indicated. “Why only part-time for your practice?”

  “I’m scaling back. Once my herd is at optimum numbers, I intend to close it completely. The cattle are taking up more and more time. Soon I won’t have time for a general practice as well.” He shrugged.

  “I’ve looked at the area map a few times this week. Just to try and get my bearings. It’s so lovely here. I don’t know so much about all the cows though. They’re a bit scary.”

  Gabe let out a surprised laugh. “Scary? Nah, they’re just big ole steaks on legs. Pretty harmless really. Unless you get in the way of a bull.”

  Emma’s smile widened. “Steaks on legs? I like that. But yes, now you know my secret fear. Cows. They’re just so big. They’re a little intimidating.”

  Gabe shoved a hand through his collar-length black hair. “Once you get to know them, they’re all right. You should come out one day, once you’re all settled in, and I’ll introduce you to some. You’ll see they’re not so bad.”

  Damn! Had he really just invited her out to his place? That was the last thing he wanted her to do. His brain was having a hard time keeping up with his mouth around her.

  Emma looked surprised. “Thanks. I’ll think about it. So, what exactly is my house’s problem?”

  That was the reason he was here, standing next to this pocket bombshell of a woman. She’d had a burst pipe in the bathroom and, it being a Saturday afternoon, couldn’t get a plumber. Harry Deeks had done the neighborly thing and given her his number. Gabe had done some handyman work about Harry’s place a few months ago, when Harry had broken his leg falling off a ladder while trying to clean out his gutters.

  Gabe glanced at Emma again. His father’s best friend thought he was helping the girl by being a good neighbor. Gabe wished he hadn’t. She was too pretty for her own good and too darn distracting. He didn’t need to be distracted.

  “Your pipes are rusted out.”

  Emma grimaced. “I figured as much. I suppose that’s what you get for buying an old house on the Internet. I bought it on impulse. The estate agent said it had no termites or major structural damage—I didn’t think to ask about anything else.”

  She turned to Gabe, and the deep blue of her eyes hit him sharp in the belly. He edged toward his pickup, eager to be away from her and the unwanted feelings she seemed to stir up. For heaven’s sake, he’d only seen her twice, and already his body was reacting like a teenager’s. It couldn’t be good for his health.

  “The Internet, huh? Seems a strange way to buy a house, from another country and all. But I suppose it was easier than having to come all this way just to see it.”

  Emma went to answer him, but her eyes narrowed when she glanced over at her driveway.

  Gabe looked over and groaned out loud.

  A light-blue, late-model sedan pulled up in front of them. Gabe shook his head. This was going to be hell.

  The driver’s door opened, and a slim young woman stepped out onto the gravel drive. She held a cake platter in her hands, boun
ced the car door shut with her hip and smiled broadly in their direction. She looked at him, the questions in her grey eyes obvious.

  Grey eyes—just like his.

  The woman walked the few steps to Emma and held out a hand, balancing the cake on one arm.

  “Hi, I’m Darby Jameson. I thought it was about time someone welcomed you to Jefferson’s Crossing. But I see I’ve been beaten to it.” She sent a pointed glance in his direction. “You’ve met my brother?”

  Emma smiled and sent a surprised look to him.

  “Apparently so.” Emma looked back to Darby and took her hand. “Thank you. Would you like to come in?” She stepped back, making room for Darby to follow her up the steps.

  “Love to.” Darby looked at Gabe. “You coming too?”

  Gabe shifted to his other foot and shook his head. “No. I was just on my way out.” He flicked his eyes back to Emma, who was standing a couple of steps above him. “Nice to meet you, ma’am…I mean, Emma. I’ll see you around. You let me know if that pipe acts up again before Monday, okay?”

  Emma nodded. “Thanks so much for coming. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t.”

  Gabe looked back up at her, his hand on the door handle of his truck. “No problem. See you, Darb.”

  He slid into his pickup, not waiting for an answer. She’d be in his ear later anyway, and he needed to get out of there before he changed his mind and stayed for some of that cake. He didn’t want his twin noticing how much that woman had affected him in such a short space of time.

  And notice she would if he stayed one minute longer.

  Chapter Two

  Emma held the door open and followed Darby into the house, leading the way after Darby stopped in the entry. She glanced over her shoulder at her guest.

  “I apologize for the mess. I wasn’t expecting guests.”

  “Don’t apologize. I’m the one who’s unannounced. I see you’ve been busy in here. You’ve only been here a week, and look at all you’ve gotten done already!”

  Emma smiled, satisfaction at her start on her new house shining on her face. “I didn’t see any point in waiting. It’s not going to fix itself. The poor old place has needed some TLC for a long while, by the looks of things.”

  “Oh that’s for sure! Ben left, and no one’s been near the place in ten years. Except to mow the lawn once a month, that is. There must’ve been some dust in here when you arrived.”

  They reached the kitchen at the back of the house. Emma flicked the electric kettle on to boil and looked around for some plates.

  “Um…yeah…there was a little.” She looked at Darby. Her open, friendly face so very like that of the man’s who’d just left. Only Darby wasn’t jittery and itching to leave like he had been. Somehow, she must have made one heck of a bad impression in the whole half hour he’d been there. Or perhaps he just didn’t like getting called out by strangers on the weekend. “Would you like a coffee? It’s here somewhere.”

  Darby laughed, bringing Emma’s attention back to her.

  “I’d love some, if it’s not too much trouble. I’ll even help you look for it.”

  Emma’s face heated. “I really am sorry. I’ve been so busy with sanding the walls that I put stuff down and forget what I’ve done with it. I know I have plates around here too.”

  She walked to the overhead cupboards lining the kitchen walls and started opening them. She’d bought a set of dinner plates and all the basics in Pueblo, on her way to Jefferson’s Crossing. She’d put them away in one of the cupboards, but had been using paper plates, since she’d been alone. It was easier just to throw the plates out once she was done, at least until the painting was finished.

  For an old home, the storage space was impressive and they were in very good condition. The warm honey-colored wood brightened up the large, airy room. A coat of lacquer and they’d be as good as new.

  Emma found the plates and mugs in the end cupboard. Luckily, the coffee had ended up back in the pantry. She made it quickly and set the steaming mugs down beside the cake platter, pulled a knife from the drawer and turned to her guest.

  “Voila! Five-star service,” she joked.

  Darby grinned at her, her amusement plain. “Thanks. You’re Australian? I like your accent.”

  So. The inquisition begins.

  Emma had wondered how long it would take for someone to come and check her out. She’d been warned about small towns.

  Emma nodded and took a sip of hot coffee. She indicated for Darby to sit, while she leaned back against the counter. “Yes.”

  She’d make this as hard as possible. At least until she got some of that cake. She eyed it surreptitiously—chocolate was her weakness. It was the most decadent chocolate cake she’d ever seen. She’d give her eye teeth just for the frosting.

  Darby’s smile grew larger. “You want to cut that cake? Perhaps it might make you a little more forthcoming.”

  Emma looked back at her. “I’m that obvious, am I? And here I thought I was being so mysterious.”

  Darby’s laughter rang through the kitchen. “No, but I saw that little look you just sent in its direction. If you were aiming for mysterious, you’ve succeeded. The whole town is itching to know everything about you, especially the men.”

  Emma blinked and frowned, confused.

  “Why? I haven’t seen any, except at the hardware store, and my neighbor Harry. Oh, and of course your brother just now.” She cut the cake into huge wedges and placed one on each plate, handing Darby hers. “Why would they care?”

  Darby took a bite of her cake. “You didn’t come from a small town, did you?” When Emma shook her head, she continued, “Do you own a mirror?”

  Emma nodded, confused.

  “There’s your answer. You came into the Spotted Cow last Saturday, and now they’re all buzzing about you,” Darby said around her mouthful.

  Emma thought hard. That name rang a bell. “The bar downtown? I just went in for directions. I was only there for maybe five minutes. There was hardly anyone around. Maybe half a dozen people at best. It wasn’t even nighttime.”

  Darby’s eyes glinted with mischief. “Well, those half dozen men saw you, and they were very impressed, believe me. It’s all I’ve heard about all week. How darn gorgeous you are. It’s not very often single women move here. You get used to who’s around. They’re friends, you know? You’re fresh meat, and you’ve gotten them all excited.”

  Emma’s shock must have shown on her face. “You’re joking, right?”

  Darby shook her head. “No. I’m not.”

  “And you got sent as a sacrificial lamb? To be the one to check me out?” Emma asked, curious. She was still trying to understand why the guys thought she was hot. She just wasn’t the sex-bomb type. She was as far from it as possible, in reality. Sure, she liked pretty dresses and things, but gorgeous?

  “No, I wanted to come and say hi. I thought it was time someone did. They’ve all been so curious, but none of them wanted to be the one to come see what the fuss was all about.”

  Emma’s head spun. “Who didn’t want to come? The guys?”

  Darby grimaced. “No, the women. They’ve gotten it into their heads that if you’re all that, they don’t want anything to do with you.”

  Emma was flabbergasted. “Really? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  Darby stood and came over to put her hand on Emma’s forearm.

  “It’s not you. Not exactly. They’re just angry at the guys’ reactions. They’ll get over it. Give them a few weeks, and it’ll all pan out.” Darby pulled the edge of her lip into her mouth. “It would help if you showed yourself in public though. It would show them that you’re really not some mythical creature hiding out in here. You’ll have a fuss made over you, but it won’t last. If you can put up with it, it would go a long way toward pushing it all along. You could come out with me tonight, if you like.”

  Emma slumped back against the kitchen counter. She poked a finger at her cak
e, her appetite having suddenly fled.

  She nodded, then looked at Darby. “Why are you being nice to me? Why aren’t you like the rest?”

  Darby took a large sip of her coffee and sighed. “This coffee is wonderful. Why? Because I don’t listen to their crap. My sister-in-law, Amy—that’s my brother’s wife—she wanted to come too, but she had to watch the shop for me while I came. Mom would have come as well, but she’s in Pueblo today at some information-day thing she’s had planned for a while.”

  Emma stared at her, not comprehending.

  “I’ve dumped too much on you at once, haven’t I? Sorry about that. It’ll all come together after a few days. Mom owns the bakery in town. Amy and I work with her.”

  Amy. Another name to file away. Emma gazed at Darby. “So, Amy’s married to Gabe.”

  What a shame. He was a cutie, all right. Emma gave herself a shake. She wasn’t interested in men. Not now, and probably not ever, but he was nice eye candy. Damn nice. He looked a lot like an actor from her favorite disaster movie. It wouldn’t do to get caught staring at another woman’s husband in a town as small as this. That would only amplify their wonderful impression of her.

  Darby’s laughter grabbed her attention again. “Hell no. She’s married to Dan, our older brother. He owns the bar that you’ve already seen, the Spotted Cow.” Her grin turned mischievous. “Gabe’s not married. Doesn’t even have a girlfriend. Why, you interested?”

  “No! I just assumed…” Emma shrugged, embarrassed that Darby had seen through her. “Why isn’t he attached? It’s not because he’s ugly,” she joked to cover her slip.

  “He’s far from ugly. No, he’s just not interested in girls,” Darby murmured.

  “Oh,” Emma said, her mind whirling a mile a minute from such an information dump.

  Emma glanced sharply at Darby as the implication struck, but Darby’s attention was on her cake.

  That’s a shame for women the world over. But good for me. A man that good-looking could make a girl’s pulse speed up just by looking at him. Not that hers had, of course. A man was the last thing on this earth she needed, or wanted.