Free Lone Star Heartbreaker by Anne Marie Novark

step next to her and rubbed Reba behind the ears. He was silent for a moment then cleared his throat. "I need to ask a favor."
    "Sure thing," she said, a little surprised by the request. The man had confessed he hated being dependent on others. Asking her for a favor must mean he was in something of a dilemma. "What can I do for you?"
    He continued petting Reba, and of course, the dog was in heaven. Her tail wagged back and forth a mile a minute. "I need you to drive me to Abilene for my physical therapy session today. Mom was going to do it, except she's not feeling wel . Pete took the day off, something to do with col ege placement tests. Anyway, seeing as how there aren't any application jobs scheduled today, I'd appreciate a ride. I could miss it just this once, but I'm supposed to get rid of the crutches today. I'l stil use a cane, but it's a definite improvement."
    "That's wonderful. I know you'l be glad to be more ambulatory." Caitlyn gripped her coffee cup tightly. She didn't want to drive Tyler the ninety miles to Abilene, except she didn't have much choice. He was the boss and he was in charge.
    "So, wil you do it?" Tyler looked at her with those big blue eyes.
    She forced another smile. "Sure, I'd be happy to help out. What time?"
    Tyler glanced at his watch. "We'l need to leave in half an hour. You can drive the company truck. Just honk and I'l be ready." He stood and tossed her the keys. "Thanks for doing this."
    "No problem." She sipped her coffee as she watched him walk across the compound and into the company office. He did seem to be walking a lot better today. His step was firmer, and he didn't appear to be leaning as heavily on the crutches.
    Reba nestled her head on Caitlyn's lap. "I know you don't like it," she said to the dog, "but I'l have to lock you in the camper while I'm gone. Don't want you getting into any trouble while I'm not here." She ran her fingers through the soft yel ow fur, seeking the peace and contentment that almost always came from petting Reba. She needed to store up an extra amount, because Caitlyn knew she would be feeling anything but peace and contentment on the long drive to Abilene and back with Tyler McCade.

    ****
    Forty-five minutes later, Tyler heard the honk of the horn and let himself out the front door. After the past two weeks' intensive physical therapy sessions, he was final y seeing progress again. He'd seemed to hit a plateau after six months, when al progress had stal ed. He'd worked doubly hard these last couple of weeks. The pain in his leg had decreased significantly in direct proportion to becoming more bendable and strong.
    And today, he was final y trading in the crutches for a cane. A sense of triumph washed over him with the anticipation of being able to move more freely. It wouldn't be long now before he was back in the cockpit. Back where he belonged.
    Jerking open the truck door, he climbed in. He was aware of Caitlyn's green eyes on him and the death grip of her hands on the steering wheel.
    Nothing like strong sexual attraction to make a body tense.
    "Hey," she said. "Sorry I'm late."
    "No problem. We should stil make it in time, if we hurry."
    He positioned the crutches in the backseat and fastened his seatbelt. Fishing his mirrored aviator sunglasses out of his shirt pocket, he slid them onto his nose. He turned his head and al owed his gaze to travel over Caitlyn, wondering for the hundredth time why he was so attracted to this particular woman.
    She wasn't drop-dead gorgeous, by any means. But she had a freshness about her that appealed to him on some level he couldn't name. Her clothes weren't fashionable, but chosen more for function and comfort. The peach-colored T-shirt accentuated her tanned skin and the khaki shorts emphasized her shapely legs. She was wearing those strappy sandals again with her toes painted pink this time.
    Caitlyn's unique scent permeated the interior of the truck cab. Tyler's body responded with a little too much