Free Second Time Around by Katherine Allred Page A

rings back where they belong.”
    * * * * *
    Lanie closed his door behind her then leaned weakly against the wall. Her whole body was vibrating like a violin string that had been harshly plucked. It was the sight of him in bed, of course. In bed with his hair tousled, chest bare. She shut her eyes, trying to push away the image of other mornings. Mornings when he’d smiled down at her, amber eyes drowsy with desire. Mornings they’d forgone breakfast for the joy of being together, of staying in bed to make slow sweet love.
    She didn’t want to remember, couldn’t allow herself that luxury. Not if she wanted to survive the next three months. He’d made it clear she couldn’t avoid him, but she’d make sure she stayed out of his room from now on.
    Pushing away from the wall, she continued toward the kitchen. Why was he having this effect on her? And she couldn’t fool herself. He was having an effect. Even in Chicago she’d felt it, that flush of heat racing through her at his nearness.
    Maybe it had been too long since she’d been with a man. She shouldn’t have held Jared off. If they had made love then the mere sight of Quinn wouldn’t be able to set her blood racing this way.
    But Jared had never set her on fire with a simple look the way Quinn could.
    Rapidly, she suppressed the troubling thought.
    Duncan looked up as she entered the kitchen, and Lanie made herself smile at him.
    “Quinn said he’d be down in a minute.”
    She didn’t know quite what to make of Duncan. In Chicago, she’d assumed he was Quinn’s butler, or houseboy maybe. But he certainly didn’t look like a servant, or act like one either. He was as tall as Quinn, with dark brown hair and eyes, and the body of a professional athlete.
    Now he nodded at her statement before lifting a cup of coffee and taking a sip.
    “Good. We’ve got a lot to do today.”
    She reached for the chair at the head of the table, then hesitated. When they were married, Quinn had always sat there, and last night he’d unconsciously picked up the habit again. Her chin lifted. Well, things had changed and the sooner he realized that, the better. Defiantly, she pulled the chair out and sat down.
    “What exactly is it that you do for Quinn, Mr.…”
    “Call me Duncan. I do whatever he needs done.”
    “Which is usually a lot more than he gets paid for.” Quinn’s voice came from behind her, sending her pulse racing anew. “But he won’t let me give him a raise.”
    Duncan grinned, his brown eyes sparkling as Quinn took the seat across from him.
    “What do I need money for? You pay for everything.”
    4“Don’t get used to it. One of these days I’ll get tired of you ordering me around and toss you out on your ear.” Quinn’s smile made his words sound like a long-standing joke. Duncan, at least, seemed to think it was funny. He threw back his head and laughed.
    Quinn’s gaze moved to her. “Duncan is more than an employee. He’s one of the best friends I’ve ever had.”
    An honor that used to belong to her. Lanie was startled at the tiny stab of jealousy she felt, and grateful when Martha interrupted, filling first Quinn’s cup, then her own.
    Silence fell while they loaded their plates and dug in. Quinn was the first to break it.
    “What are your plans for the day?”
    Lanie kept her gaze on her plate. “I’ve got three groups scheduled this morning for riding. Since there hasn’t been time yet to hire additional help, I’ll have to take care of them.”
    “I thought you had several people working for you?”
    “I do.” She finally met his eyes. “But only Sherry helps with the riders, and she has groups scheduled, too. Of course, you’re welcome to come with me if you’d like.”
    He seemed to consider it for a moment, then shook his head. “Maybe another time.”
    She saw Duncan give Quinn a speaking glance before he went back to eating, and wondered what was going on.
    “When did you start taking people riding?”
    “Zack was a