Free Expecting the Rancher's Child (Callahan's Clan) by Sara Orwig Page A

home.”
    “It’s going to be even more in line with what I want when this wing is finished. I’m ready for a change.”
    “Have you thought about a change that might go deeper than rooms and furniture? Perhaps turning your energy and focus in another direction?”
    “I do believe you are trying to reform me,” he said, looking amused as he ran his fingers lightly over her shoulder and smiled.
    She couldn’t resist, and smiled back. “Doesn’t hurt to try. Have you ever thought about just calling your father and trying to make peace? You’re a grown man now. He might be happy to meet you and talk to you. Have you spoken to him since you became an adult?”
    Blake tugged a lock of her long hair gently and then curled it in his fingers. “You’re trying to reconcile me and my dad. That won’t happen at this point in my life. I’ve tried to talk to him only once. I was three or four, and he had to talk to my mother. A limo waited, and when he came out, I tried to get his attention. My mother stepped out, carried me back into the house and closed the door. He never said a word to me that I remember.”
    “Blake, that’s dreadful. He missed out on so much that he can never get back.”
    “That isn’t how he saw it, I’m sure. The court left my mother financially well off, so I had a good education, but my father was never any part of my life. What’s worse, he was only a small part of his other sons’ lives, even though he definitely played dad to them. I told you, I knew where I stood. They didn’t. They kept hoping for more from him. By the time I was five, I knew better than to expect even a hello.”
    “That’s sad,” she said, thinking again about her father and how much a part of his children’s lives he had always been, and now how good he was with his grandchildren. “Your father cut so much joy out of his life.”
    Blake smiled at her. “You live in a rosy world, Sierra.”
    “No, I don’t. I see people every day who are hurting and have needs—health, income, relationships—their situation isn’t rosy. Children adapt, so all of you accepted not seeing him as part of your lives, but he cut himself off from love from all of you.”
    “How did we get back on the subject of my dad? Damn. There are better things to talk about. And a lot better things to do,” he said in a thicker voice as his gaze lowered to her mouth.
    Her heart drummed. She wanted his kiss, even after spending the past hour learning that he was a man bent on revenge.
    She shouldn’t kiss him. She shouldn’t even stay the rest of the week on his ranch. She could work from her office in Kansas City. She was set up here with all kinds of electronic equipment and could work all week undisturbed, but here she would see Blake. With the attraction that burned between them, she should be packing her bags now.
    If only she could remember how opposite they were and not be dazzled by hot kisses, flirting and sexy smiles.
    If only she didn’t respond to his slightest touch, to just being near him. A week and then they’d part—surely for one week she could keep her heart and head intact.
    As she looked up into midnight eyes, she knew she was making promises to herself she couldn’t keep.
    She lowered her gaze to his mouth and then looked back up to his brown eyes.
    “Sierra,” he said quietly, sliding his arms lightly around her waist and leaning down to kiss her.
    Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him in return, shutting off all thoughts of packing and leaving. She just let go and enjoyed his kiss.
    Soon enough they would say goodbye permanently, and a few kisses tonight wouldn’t matter at all.
    His arms tightened as he leaned over her and his kiss deepened, becoming more passionate. He ran one hand through her hair, down her back and then over her bottom, under the hem of her skirt and along her thigh.
    His warm hand, barely stroking her, drifted up along her leg and then moved between her thighs. Gasping, she clung to him