Free High-Stakes Passion by Juliet Burns

was just a kid. His family lived next door to us. Why?”
    â€œThere’s something else you’re not telling me, isn’t there? I mean, I know he can’t ride anymore, and that’s got to be frustrating, but…” Audrey gazed out the window, thinking aloud. “He had product endorsements, the charities and this place. He was probably close to retiring, anyway. And it’s not like he’s in a wheelchair. He doesn’t even use a cane.”
    Audrey turned and Helen lowered her eyes, tracing the tablecloth pattern with her finger.
    â€œYou know, don’t you?” Audrey said quietly.
    When Helen looked up, there were tears in her eyes. “You’ll have to ask Mark.”
    Audrey’s shoulders drooped, weighted with dread. “It was something awful, wasn’t it?”
    â€œOnly Mark can tell you, dear.”
    â€œLike he’d tell me,” she muttered. She whirled back around to the sink, washing the mugs to distract her from ominous thoughts. Looking up, she glanced out the window and saw one of the ranch hands riding up. She did a swift double take when she got a good look at the man.
    It was Mark on Lone Star!
    â€œH-he’s riding!” Audrey whispered, clutching the counter for support before her knees gave out.
    Helen stood and came to put her arm around Audrey’s shoulders, flashing a grin. “Miracles do happen. Maybe you shouldn’t give up so easily, dear.”

Six
    A udrey watched Mark slow his stallion to a walk. God, she loved watching the man ride a horse. The way his hips moved in the saddle and his thigh muscles bunched to control his mount. He halted at the back porch and dismounted slowly, easing his right leg over and down with a grimace, and then tied the reins at the railing.
    When he stepped into the house, her stomach did a little flip. She couldn’t speak.
    Mark scowled. “Hell, I nearly killed myself shaving this morning.” He pointed at himself. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”
    He looked so different with his clean-shaven jaw and short haircut. He was still a little pale, but determined, strong and sexy as hell in that black Stetson and those tight Wranglers.
    Luckily, Helen filled in the silence. “Well, there’s aproper greeting. Where’d you learn your manners, boy, in a barn?”
    Mark yanked his hat off and turned to Helen. “Sorry. Guess I need some practice in that department.” His serious gaze traveled back to Audrey. He took a deep breath and cleared his throat. “I was just on my way to the north pasture. Thought I’d get somethin’ to drink. Uh, water, I mean.”
    But he didn’t move.
    Helen pushed away from the table and stood. “I just remembered I’ve got a pie to bake.” She headed for the door, but turned back. “Mark, see if you can convince Audrey to stay a while. She’s planning on leaving today.”
    â€œHelen!” Audrey glared at Helen. If looks could kill, the foreman’s wife would be in ICU right about now.
    â€œLeaving?” Mark scowled again.
    Helen grinned and winked at Audrey behind Mark’s back. “Y’all have a good morning. I’ll talk to you later.”
    How could Helen do that to her? What did Audrey do now? What a moron she was, just standing there, staring at him. She wanted to confess, to tell him her real reason for being there, but she couldn’t.
    In two strides he was at her side, his eyes locked on hers. “You’re not going to leave before the party tonight, are you?”
    Hmm. That cologne. It was the same musky scent he’d worn the night he’d rescued her. She couldn’t catch her breath. “The party’s tonight?”
    He leaned closer. “The temporary hands are leavin’.”
    â€œOh, yeah. That’s right.” And so am I.
    â€œWe need to talk.”
    Talk? Did he know why she was really here? He couldn’t, or