Free Less-than-Innocent Invitation by Shirley Rogers Page B

“And there are rose petals from her purse.” Dried petals in muted colors of purple and pink lay scattered about the small, antique purse. “A woman who could shoot and was considered an outlaw, yet she kept rose petals.”
    Meeting Logan’s eyes, her gaze softened at the sentimentality. “The roses must have been from someone she loved.” Running her fingers across the glass protecting the items, she ached for the outlaw, a woman who also possessed a soft heart.
    Logan reached over and touched her shoulder. “You think so?”
    Reeling from his touch, Melissa felt heat rush to her cheeks. “I can’t explain it. I just feel it inside.” She struggled to maintain her distance from Logan. Clearing her throat, she focused on the display to get her bearings. “Do you think the map is authentic?”
    â€œAuthentic is one thing, but accurate is another.” Not wanting to, but knowing he should, Logan removed his hand from her shoulder. “The markings are unusual and difficult to understand. It may be useless.”
    â€œUnless someone figures it out and uses it to find the treasure.”
    He shrugged. “Anything’s possible.”
    Studying it, Melissa sighed. “Look at all the hearts on it.”
    Logan leaned over the display case, which brought him within inches of her. Her gentle lilac fragrance drifted to him, shifting his already active libido into high gear. He steeled himself to ignore his body’s urges. If he touched her now, he might do something reckless, such as kiss her the way he’d been wanting to since he’d seen her at the ball. “Yeah,” he replied, aware his voice wasn’t as steady as he’d like. “But it’s anyone’s guess as to what the hearts mean.”
    â€œIt’s an interesting design, as if Jessamine made sureshe was the only one who could decipher it.” Melissa turned toward him. “Look, Logan, I know I have no right to ask a favor, but with your association with the Cattleman’s Club, apparently you have some influence. I really want to use the map in my story.”
    â€œWhen do you think you’ll be ready to shoot it?”
    â€œIn the next day or so. Do you think you can arrange it?”
    Logan shoved his hands in his pockets. “Depends.”
    â€œOn what?”
    â€œWhat do I get in return?”
    Wary, her eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”
    His jaw set, he stared her straight in the eyes. “The truth, Melissa. Why did you leave me?”
    Gritting her teeth, she sighed heavily. “That’s not fair. You’re putting this on a personal level.”
    Logan shrugged as if he didn’t care what she thought. “No one ever said life was fair. You want the map. That’s my offer. Take it or leave it.”
    It took Melissa several seconds to calm down before she could speak. When she did, she surprised herself. “All right.” She’d tell him what he wanted to know. But what would happen when she did? Was it possible that she’d been wrong to believe Cara? No, she told herself. Logan himself had confirmed what Cara had told her.
    Melissa couldn’t have been wrong.
    â€œI’ll see what I can do,” Logan said, pleased with himself.
    â€œThanks. I’m going to find the museum director, set up a time to meet with him and ask for permission to film here. I’ll be right back.”
    Logan watched her walk away, mesmerized by the sway of her hips. He sighed. Whether it would bring relief or anguish, finally he’d get what he wanted from her.
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    They decided to double back to town and stop at the Royal Diner for lunch. Logan had to twist Melissa’s arm because she’d wanted to head straight to the ranch and start working on her story. So he’d used hunger as a diversion to keep her with him a while longer.
    Foolish, he knew. He was kidding himself. The more time he spent with