Free Guardian Angel by Linda Wisdom Page A

remain nearby."
    "I'd like to go over the grounds," she murmured, re maining just as aloof. "Could a horse be made available for my use?"
    "Certainly. I'll let Tim know."
    Now there was only uneasy silence surrounding them. Alex racked her brain. This was something new for her—a loss of words around Jared. They never had a problem talking before.
    "Hell, isn't it?"
    She looked up to find him watching her with a wry expression in his eyes. "For once we can't talk to each other in a natural manner." Jared lit a cheroot and drew on it deeply.
    "It's all your fault," she blurted out, then wished she could take back her childish accusation.
    "I don't know about that," he drawled. "I suggest you take a good look in the mirror sometime because you're going to find yourself looking at a very sexy lady."
    Now Alex did relax and laugh in a natural manner. "You better get your eyes checked, Mr. Templeton. My father said that all that saved me from being homely were my cheekbones."
    Jared's eyes roamed over the almond-shaped green eyes, a nose that women consulted a plastic surgeon to possess, the high cheekbones, a we ll-shaped mouth with the slight ly fuller lower lip that could so easily curve into a stom ach-stopping smile. She was too slender for her height, but he knew that was a result of too few regular meals and working nonstop.
    "Your father is a fool," he said softly.
    Alex resisted the urge to shift in her chair under his close scrutiny. "If there isn't anything more, Mr. Temple ton, I'd like to prowl around the grounds." She endeav ored to replace this talk on a formal level.
    She thought a bleak expression flickered in his eyes, but it disappeared before she could tell for sure.
    "I'll let Tim know you'll be down at the stables within the hour or so." Jared picked up his pen, indicating the conversation was closed.
    As promised, a bay mare was waiting for Alex when she found her way to the stables built not too far from the house. Tim greeted her with a ready smile and cheerfully gave her directions for surveying the immediate grounds.
    In no time Alex had adjusted her body to the mare's easy walk. The light rain had stopped, leaving silver drop lets on the winter-bare trees and bushes. She soon forgot her reason for her ride and lost herself in the delight of the desolate, yet beautiful, countryside. She could easily see why Jared preferred this home to his house in Brentwood for rest and solitude. Here he was one with nature. Even as she lost herself in the stark beauty surrounding her, her keen eyes were noting each hill, gauging the distance to the ranch house and accessibility from the outside.
    Outside, she laughed softly to herself. If someone had read her thoughts, they would assume the land was hers, already thinking of everywhere else as the outside.
    Alex enjoyed her ride so much she didn't return to the house until dusk.
    "The boss is all fired up, wondering where you've been," Tim greeted her.
    "That's nothing new." She dismounted and handed the reins to the man.
    "Mavis said dinner would be at six thirty," he called after her, receiving a nod in reply.
    Alex stretched her arms over her head as she entered the house, anticipating a hot bath to soak the aches away. She had forgotten how long it had been since she had ridden.
    After discarding her clothes, she ran her bath, adding scented bath oil to the hot water. She pinned her hair on top of her head and stepped into the tub sighing with delight.
    Alex soaked in the water and wondered why this switch in Jared's personality. The funny thing was, if she hadn't liked him touching her, why hadn't she handed in her notice? But where else could she find a job with the extra benefits she had now? She also had a reckless streak in her and couldn't help but wonder how far Jared would try to go with her. All she knew was if he informed her it was either his bed or her job, she'd cheerfully tell him what he could do with the job . . . wouldn't she?
    Knowing dinner would