from behind her. Morgan jumped in surprise. “You left the front door open. I brought your suitcases, phone, and ring.” He handed her the cell phone and opened it to give her instructions on how to make calls and check in. “This is how we keep in touch.”
She followed his directions and nodded. His fresh air scent and his particular male fragrance surrounded her. Today, his green eyes were more the color of new leaves on a tree in spring. A shiny curl had fallen across his forehead, and she had to fight not to brush it back. He glanced up from the phone and caught her staring at him. Their eyes locked for a moment. The air sizzled with their sudden awareness of each other.
Justin stepped back and cleared his throat. “Did you hear anything I said?” His voice was gruff.
She flipped the phone open and called him. His cell rang.
“Good, I’m out of here. Your bags are in the bedroom. Keep your ring on.” Taking long strides, he walked across the living room and out the door. Morgan stood in the doorway and watched until his truck was out of sight and the dust had settled.
She must be losing her mind. She thought she might be love with Ethan and Justin. Hopefully, she’d only have to stay here a short time. After closing the door, she went into the bedroom to unpack. The bed was made with a cheerful red-and-white bedspread that matched the curtains and made the room inviting. Her bath had a sink, long counter, toilet area, and a fairly large shower and tub. All the comforts of home.
Home. She hadn’t really had one her whole life. With her mother’s and father’s careers taking them all over the country and overseas, they were never settled. Oh, they had a mansion in Hollywood and a vacation home in Spain. But, she’d always felt like an extra piece of luggage, not needed but dragged along to sites where her mother posed for magazines, and other places where her father directed movies.
She walked into the kitchen to get a drink of water and stood at the back window staring at the wide-open prairie. Her thoughts went back to her parents. She rarely allowed herself to think of them. When she did, sadness and anger settled in her chest. She’d made her break after college graduation.
Her parents had wanted her to come work for them. Be at their beck and call was what they meant. They’d been furious when she took the job as Bill’s secretary. Part of the reason she accepted the job was to be able to thumb her nose at them. Later, she’d stayed on because she enjoyed doing something, and her best friends were nearby.
Her phone beeped. “Morgan here.”
“Just checking.” She heard his chuckle as he clicked off.
Damn the man. How could she ignore him if he kept annoying her?
She hung her clothes in the closet and changed into jeans and a flannel shirt. She’d bought several shirts since her last visit to see Sara, but she didn’t have boots. She’d noticed Sara wore a pair. Her sneakers would have to do. After running a comb through her short, curly black hair, Morgan went to step outside.
There was a cane leaning against the wall by the door. She’d take it along in case any animals were roaming about. She ought to wait for Sara to show her around. But Sara was busy. I can’t stay inside the whole time I’m here and depend on others.
Taking a deep breath, she walked in the direction Justin had taken. She’d do a little exploring on her own. She saw a barn in the distance. Having the cane swinging in her hand gave her a sense of security. As she walked along, two cowboys on horseback waved, and a woman hanging clothes on a line smiled at her. She was almost to the barn and felt quite proud of herself, when the large, brown dog ran around the wooden building straight at her.
Morgan gave a scream and jumped back, waving the walking stick in front of her. The dog stopped but faced her and growled, showing sharp teeth. She froze in fear. Her mind screamed run, but she was afraid he’d attack.
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