Free Her Cowboy's Christmas Wish (Harlequin American Romance) by Cathy McDavid Page B

softly. “Please.”
    She lifted her face to his. She could read in his eyes howdifficult this was for him. He didn’t want people seeing him at his most vulnerable.
    Gripping the hem, she pushed the prosthesis back up his pant leg.
    Ethan didn’t move at first. Then, taking hold of the prosthesis around the cup, he fitted it to his stump. There was a quiet whoosh as air escaped. When he was done, he secured the elastic cuff, which had slipped off during his fall.
    She said nothing, knowing the more professional she acted, the easier it would be for Ethan. Easier for her, too.
    As soon as he was done, they both stood. She placed a hand on his lower back to steady him while he pulled up his jeans and tucked in his shirt.
    “Thank you,” he said, buckling his belt.
    “That’s why I’m here, and what Clay pays me for.”
    “Is that the only reason?” He pinned her in place with those dark brown eyes of his.
    If only she could lie. Say that helping him was just her job. Nothing more.
    But her mouth refused to listen to her brain’s instructions. What they’d just shared had in some ways been more intimate than their earlier kiss. To lie would be dishonoring that moment and the undeniable, yet impossible, connection they shared.
    “No, Ethan. It’s not the only reason.” She straightened, set her mouth in a resolute line. “But we both know it should be.”

Chapter Six
    Ethan stood outside the round pen. He’d been up since five this morning, working with Prince. His deadline for breaking the mustang, as he’d told Justin the other day, was fast approaching, and he was determined to make some real progress. After two patience-testing hours, ones that aggravated his shoulder considerably, Ethan had the saddle blanket on Prince’s back, along with a lightweight pack saddle.
    Prince didn’t like either, and alternately trotted and loped in circles as if he could outrun them. Each time he stopped, he glared menacingly at Ethan.
    “Not yet, pal. A little while longer.”
    Prince stomped his left foot, then started trotting again.
    Gavin came up beside Ethan. “I’m impressed.”
    “Don’t be. The pack saddle may be on his back, but he’s far from accepting it.”
    Prince came to an abrupt halt across from them. Reaching his head around, he took hold of the blanket with his teeth and gave an angry yank. Ethan imagined Prince trying that same move with his pant leg when he finally managed to mount the horse.
    “You ready to help me with that wagon before Caitlin gets here?” he asked.
    Gavin hitched his chin at Prince. “What are the chancesthat blanket will be in shreds and the pack saddle in pieces when we get back?”
    Prince was now sniffing the cinch holding the saddle in place, and making irritated snuffling sounds.
    “I bet he’ll quiet down the second we’re gone,” Ethan said.
    “Hmm.”
    “He always has to put on a show. Let everyone know how tough he is.”
    “He’s not the only one.”
    “Are you referring to me?” They set out in the direction of the old cattle barn.
    “I heard about your fall last night.”
    “Did you also hear I qualified for the jackpot?”
    “I did. And congratulations. So, how badly were you hurt?”
    “My leg came loose is all.”
    “Is that why Caitlin kissed you?”
    Now it was Ethan’s turn to grin. “It was more the other way around. I kissed her.”
    “Clay said she didn’t act like she objected.”
    “He was there?” Ethan scratched his head. “Really?” What else had he missed when all his attention was riveted on Caitlin?
    “Am I to assume the two of you are back together?”
    “No. She’s made it pretty clear there’s no chance of that.”
    “Then why the kiss?”
    “I’d just finished my ride. And she looked really pretty. I couldn’t help myself.”
    “Be careful you don’t hurt her again.”
    Ethan had been having similar thoughts. But then he’d recall Caitlin’s lips, soft and pliant and molding to his. She might be resisting