Free Who Wants to Marry a Cowboy? by Abigail Sharpe Page A

steady while she stood next to him.
    She turned back to the food, deciding what to eat, when body heat caressed her, like the morning kiss of the sun. She briefly closed her eyes to gain control before she peeked to the side to confirm it was indeed Riley standing next to her, completely ignoring her presence.
    Well, she could do that, too. He brushed her arm as he filled his plate, but she did nothing until they both reached for the serving tongs. His touch turned the heat into a shock of electricity and she froze, not daring to look at him.
    Great. She was attracted to a jerk.
    He stood in silence, though his rigid posture softened. “You go ahead,” he said after a moment.
    “Thanks.” Ainsley wondered if he felt that ridiculous surge, too. She put a strip of bacon on her plate, and he reached for the tongs when she was done. “It’s Ainsley.”
    He paused in the act of putting a piece of meat on his plate and glanced over at her, his brows drawn down over his hazel eyes. “What’s Ainsley?”
    “My name. Ainsley Fairfax. I figured you’d want to know who you threw into the plants last night.”
    “Ainsley Fairfax,” he said softly, caressing her name with his voice. He leaned forward, the solid planes of his body only a couple of inches from hers, close enough that she could taste the outdoors on his clothes, his mouth inches from her ear. His breath sent a small shiver through her that she fought to control. “You’re in the way of the eggs.”
    “Right.” Arrogant man. She practically dropped her plate on the table, not caring about the clamor it made. “I can’t tell you how much of a pleasure it was meeting you earlier. This trip has been everything I’ve been expecting and more. Thank you for making me feel so welcome in your home.”
    *  *  *
    The woman’s words caused a ripple of guilt in Riley’s stomach. His father would have been disappointed in the rude way Riley had treated her. Apparently fed up with his actions, she turned away from the table and crashed directly into Seth, who had barged in from the kitchen.
    Riley grabbed her arms and pulled her close in order to prevent her from falling. Her soft body molded against him and vanilla hit his nose. For one moment he stayed like that, allowing the sweet scent to invade his senses. Geez, what was he doing? He released her and stepped away, cursing the streak of lust that went straight to his groin.
    “I’m sorry,” the teen said, as hay from his plaid shirt drifted to the floor.
    Seth was supposed to be making sure the ranch equipment had fuel for the week. “What are you doing here?” Riley asked.
    “I have to talk to Molly.” Seth ran off before Riley could ask any more questions, but he kept his eye on his siblings. Awareness of the woman by his side did nothing to calm his annoyance while his sister and brother had a quick conversation with Seth gesturing outside. They both shot Riley a quick glance.
    They were definitely hiding something. He took a step toward them, but Molly guided Seth into the kitchen, their heads bent together, talking the entire way.
    Riley’s suppressed energy made his body quiver, but he waited, tracking their exit. Seth coming in with hay stuck to his shirt meant he had been in the barn. Him being in the barn meant something was going on in there. Like Scarlett about to foal.
    He was done waiting around. He gave Ainsley a quick nod and started for the kitchen, but Molly re-entered the room and strolled over to him and Ainsley like the interaction with Seth was a normal, everyday occurrence.
    “What was that about?” Riley asked, his eyes on the entryway as if his brother might return.
    Molly examined the fruit tray while she answered. “Nothing. Let Seth take care of it.”
    “Molly.” His voice held a tinge of warning that he used with people who disobeyed the rules on the mountain.
    “Riley.” Molly answered back in the same stubborn tone and Ainsley stifled a laugh.
    Hard to ignore her