Free The Secret Truth at Dare Ranch by Cheryl Gorman

The three of them
started toward her, and Lexie was glad she'd gone to the hairdresser and had a
manicure. She still felt a little self-conscious about the old dress and pumps
she wore. She wished she knew something about fashion and makeup, but who would
care if she did?
    Mitch
stepped up beside her. His green gaze caressed her face with warmth and charm. She
remembered the whisper of a kiss he’d given her the other day in the middle of
the hay field. She’d thought about that kiss a hundred times since then.
    Her
gaze surreptitiously rested on his lips wishing his kiss had been more than
just a light caress. A corner of his mouth tipped up. She flicked her gaze up
to his and found him watching her. Her heart tripped once then stumbled in her
chest. What was she doing thinking about kissing him? Lexie forced herself to
relax and pasted on a smile.
    "Nice
evening.” His voice sounded casual but the way he looked appeared anything but.
A breeze blew in from outside and molded her dress against her body. His gaze
moved slowly over her figure. She thought she saw desire in his eyes, but she
must be mistaken.
    Lexie
knew she didn’t have the kind of body men drooled over. She’d resigned herself
to that fact long ago because she didn’t have the curves to attract a man. And
she wasn’t going to get caught up in a stupid fantasy about Mitch wanting her. He
may have wanted her that long ago night, but Mitch wanted only one thing
now--to take her ranch.
    Vivian
broke away from the blonde and gave her a quick hug. "Hi honey," she
said warmly, then turned to slip her arm around the man's waist. "This is
Chris. He just moved to town."
    "Nice
to meet you, Chris," Lexie said and stuck her hand out for a shake. Instead
of a shake, he enclosed her hand in his and raised it to his lips. His lips
felt warm when he pressed them to the top of her hand.
    Something
very feminine and indulgent slid through her veins at being reminded in such a
subtle way that she was indeed a woman. Maybe she didn’t look so bad after all
in her plain dress and shoes.
    # # #
    A
fast, toe-tapping song vibrated through the barn and bounced off the rafters. Mitch
watched Lexie as she danced with one of the locals. The man slid his hand lower
down her back, leaned her over his arm in a dramatic dip then lifted her up so
they were face to face. He said something in her ear. Lexie tipped her head
back and laughed.
    Mitch
felt something new and totally unexpected twist through his gut. No way was he
jealous. He stepped forward intending to cut in on the happy couple, when he
felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Tommy Flowers, the party's host. A
pair of dark trousers and a light casual sport shirt covered his slightly
overweight frame.
    His
face was tanned, his brown eyes warm and his smile friendly. Right on his heels
trotted a petite woman with a froth of bright, copper hair, flashing blue eyes
and a wicked grin.   
    A
floral print dress, made out of some kind of gauzy material, shifted over her
body with every twitch. Between the bright hair and the careful steps she took,
Emily Flowers reminded Mitch of a poodle on parade. She sidled up to her
husband. "Emily, sweet pea, could you see how the punch is holding out?"
Tommy asked.
    She
gave Tommy’s hands a squeeze. "Okay, sugar plum. I’ll be right back.”
    Tommy
smiled and extended his hand. They shook hands and Mitch was surprised to find his
palm rough and slightly calloused, rather than the smooth hands of a town
mayor, who spent his days cutting ribbons and kissing babies.
    "Mitch,
how are you son?"
    "Fine.
You?”  Mitch let go of his hand and realized how much he'd always liked Tommy. He’d
been instrumental in helping his father get into the house in town. His gaze
couldn't help wondering back to Lexie and her partner. The song ended and the
man gave her a light peck on the cheek. She turned and walked toward them.
    Tommy
shifted his attention to Chris. "And who might you