Free Heartfield Ranch (Communities of Discipline Book 2) by Fiona Wilde

one,” she said, and noticed that he was smiling a bit. “Oh, great. Now you’re picking on me.”
    “No, I’m not,” he said. “You probably won’t believe me when I say this, but I didn’t want to have to do that. And it’s not because I thought you might be a cop, either.”
    “Why then?”
    He looked down at the floor and then back up at her. “Well, I guess part of me was hoping you’d trust me enough to tell me the truth. If you don’t mind my saying so, you’re such a pretty girl. It would have flattered me.”
    Karen didn’t know what to say. It had been a long time since a man had told her she was pretty, even longer since she’d been referred to as a ‘girl.’ Most of the men she knew were afraid to be so bold lest they be labeled a sexist. She blushed deeply, realizing that she rather liked being told this, especially by this man.
    “Well, under any other circumstances I would have,” she said, blushing. “But I was trying not to blow my cover.”
    “I hope you’re not too upset with me for forcing you to reveal who you really are,” he said.
    Karen studied him for a moment. “Can I ask you something?” she finally said.
    “Sure.”
    “Why are you being so nice to me?”
    He smiled, and Karen was suddenly aware of how handsome Clay Sanders’ face was. His eyes were a deep brown, his teeth white and even. And he had dimples.
    “Well, maybe it’s because I’d like to get to know you better, as unlikely a prospect as that probably is.”
    “Why do you think it’s unlikely?” she asked.
    “I can think of all kinds of reasons,” he said. “You’re a modern girl in a take-charge kind of job. You probably think I’m some kind of troglodyte who plans to flatter and distract you so you won’t find the nuclear weapons and chained female slaves we have hidden in underground bunkers out back.”
    Karen allowed herself to laugh. “I may well be suspicious, but probably not for those reasons.” She sighed. “No, I think my suspicions may be more along the lines of wondering why anyone would be interested in getting to know me better. I actually scare most guys I’m trying to attract.”
    “You don’t scare me,” he said.
    Karen felt a flush at the words, not in her face but in the pit of her stomach. It was the kind of flush she’d not experienced in about two years. But then again, she’d not run across many men who sparked her attraction the way Clay Sanders did. She liked the fact that this man did not see her as intimidating.
    “So,” he said. “Would you like to stay a little longer, as a guest? You’re still free to ask anything you’d like to ask of us. You can go anywhere you’d like to go. I should tell you that a few of the residents here are upset with you, but that’s understandable.
    “I suppose I’ll have to, then, especially since my boss just asked me to continue to check things out,” she replied.
    “I take it you weren’t entirely up front with him about what happened,” he said.
    “I know I shouldn’t lie…” Karen began before Clay interrupted her.
    “No you shouldn’t,” he said. “But we’ll just take this in small steps. So even if you aren’t honest with your boss, just make sure you don’t lie to me.”
    “Don’t worry,” she said. “I won’t.” As she said it, she wondered at the seriousness in his voice. He sounded as if he meant it, and she suddenly realized she didn’t mind at all.
     

Chapter Nine
     
    The men were in an uproar, and this time even Adam was finding it difficult to support Clay.
    “This is unprecedented!” Ray Faulkner boomed. Generally a quiet man more given to mulling opinions than advancing them, the sight of him standing there red-faced and agitated generated surprise stares. “Heartfield puts the acceptance of new members to a vote. You know that, Clay! How could you invite this woman to stay without consulting the rest of us?”
    Clay put his hands up and brought them down repeatedly, as if