Free THE COWBOY SHE COULDN'T FORGET by Patricia Thayer Page A

utility room.
    “Hold it right there, young lady. You’re not going into the house wearing those filthy clothes.” The housekeeper handed her a towel from a stack of clean ones. “Strip and put everything in the hamper.” She shook her head. “This sure brings back memories. You always could get the dirtiest of all your sisters. I miss those times,” she said, lifting a basket of clean clothes and walking out.
    Ana smiled as she kicked off her boots and unzipped her jeans, shimmied the wet fabric down her legs and tossed them into a hamper. That was the benefit of staying for the summer: she got to be around the horses and live here at the ranch. She pulled off her sweatshirt and threw it on top of the jeans. She was shivering by the time she got out of her soggy panties and bra. She reached for the towel and wrapped it around her just as the back door opened.
    Ana gasped in shock when she turned around and saw Vance step into the small room.
    “What are you doing here?” she demanded, gripping her towel tightly.
    He didn’t answer right away, but his gaze took a slow journey up her body. “Right now, I’m enjoying the view.”
    She felt warmth surge through her. “Well, stop it.”
    He tipped his hat back and leaned against the doorjamb. “That’s a little hard to do.” He shook his head. “Damn, if you don’t look good in a towel.”
    “Oh, grow up.” She hated that he made her feel so anxious. “I’m going to take a shower. So if you need anything... I mean, is there something I can do—”
    “Believe me, a lot is coming to mind, but right now I just need to move in.” He grinned. “Looks like I’m going to be enjoying my stay here.”
    Ana didn’t have a comeback, so she swung around and marched off with as much dignity as she could manage in a towel. All the way reminding herself that there would be a man in the house. A man she definitely needed to stay clear of.
    Vance enjoyed the view from the back almost as much as the front. But if he wasn’t careful, and if he came on too strong, Ana would run far and fast. He frowned. The wise thing to do might be to back off completely, as he’d been doing for years. Yet all he could think about was the kiss they’d shared in the barn. No other woman could tie him in knots like Analeigh Slater.
    Hell, he’d thought the years apart would lessen his appetite for the pretty brunette. But all she had to do was flash those big blue eyes at him, and once again he couldn’t remember his name.
    He grabbed the duffel bag outside the door and walked into the kitchen just as Kathleen was coming down the hall.
    She gave him a bright smile. “So now I know what’s got my girl so riled up.” The housekeeper paused. “A word of advice, Vance. Don’t push too hard.”
    He played innocent. “I only came by to drop off some things in my room.”
    The older woman shook her head. “Yeah, I know. Just be warned, Ana is vulnerable right now. She’s been fighting for her daddy’s approval all her life.” Kathleen pushed her finger into his chest. “I don’t think you’d ever break her heart intentionally, but...just tread softly.”
    Vance felt his chest tighten. That would be the last thing he would ever do. He was more worried that she would destroy him.
    * * *
    An hour later, Ana came out of the same bedroom she’d slept in since she was a little girl. She was freshly showered and shampooed, realizing she’d be sharing a bath with Vance at least for a few days.
    In the past four years, she’d seen Vance Rivers only in town. They would nod in greeting, but rarely exchanged words. Now she had to work with the man, and she’d be sleeping a few doors down the hall.
    Okay, it was a big house. There were four bedrooms upstairs and a master suite at the opposite end. They could go their separate ways, except when they needed to come up with ideas to help the ranch.
    She headed for the stairs and saw her sister Marissa’s bedroom door was open. There was