Free The Reluctant Rancher by Patricia Mason, Joann Baker Page B

running , which is due entirely to your expertise. ”   She smiled gratefully at the young mechanic as she handed him the check.   Always honest in his dealings with her, both in the repairs and the prices he charged, she knew she would have spent twice as much for half the work in a larger city
    “ What’s wrong with the lady’s tires, Carson ? ”
    Mary watched as Luke pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. Before he could flick open his lighter, she pulled it from his han d and tossed it in the garbage, ignoring his muttered curse. She really wished he hadn’t asked that question. He wouldn’t like the answer.
    “ Well, sir. ”   Eddie cleared his throat nervously and Mary smiled.   Everyone knew Luke Tanner and his legendary temper.   But to her amazement, his voice croaked only   a little   when he spoke.   “ They’re worn out, sir.   Balder than a baby’s butt. ”
    Luke growled low in his throat at the other man’s words and Mary knew what was coming.   She shook her finger at him in warning.
    “ Now don’t you look at me like that, mister.   You’ve already scared poor Eddie to death. ”   Even though she started to tremble at the look in his eyes herself, she didn’t back down.   “ I’ll get to it when I can. ”
    “ Go put so me tires on the lady’s car, son, ” He   never   took his eyes from Mary’s face.
    Eddie left as fast as he could, giving her no chance to veto Luke’s high-handed order.
    M ary rounded on the rancher . “ And just who do you think is going to pay for those tires? ” she demanded as she started after the mechanic.   “ Santa Claus? ”
    He grabbed her arm, forcing her to face him. “Y o u need those blasted tires and you’re going to have them.   Got it? ”   The expression on his face brooked no argument , but Mary’s temper had gone beyond reason.
    “ I will not, ” she declared.   The man interfer ed too damned much by putting tires on her car that she couldn’t afford.
    She wanted to take him to task for his high-handed manner but he was kissing her in the most delightful way.
    “ There’s only one way to deal with a wil l ful woman, ” he murmured against her mouth as he came up for air.   Before she could respond, his mouth once again claimed hers, deepening the kiss.
    “ Luke, ” she whispered when he stopped, for once at loss for words.   His kiss floored her.
    “ Say it again, ” he demanded , touching his forehead to hers.
    “ Say what again? ” she asked , too dazed by his touch to think straight.   Boy -oh-boy , could the man kiss.
    “ My name.   Say my name again. ”
    “ Luke. ”
    He groaned, a deep aching sound that seemed to come fr om the very depths of his soul. He kissed her temple. “ What am I going to do with you? ”
    Mary brought her hands to his chest and pushed until he relaxed his hold enough for her to see his face.   In his e yes she saw confusion and desire and knew the emotions mirrored the o nes simmering deep within her own .   It gave her a much needed shot of courage.
    “ What would you like to do with me? ” she asked.   It was almost the same dare she’d voiced the day she’d asked him for a loan.
    Mary’s knees threatened to buckle at the look of raw hunger that blazed in his eyes and she had to lean back against the wall for support.
    “ You don’t want me to answer that, Mary.   No t here.   Not now.” H is voice was low and thick .
    “ Then where Luke?   Where will you tell me? ”   She licked her lips, savoring the taste of him that still lingered there.
    As if her gesture had upset him, he clutched the band of his hat in his hand, ruining the soft gray felt fabric with the strength of his grip.   She quivered with excitement.
    “ At the dance tomorrow, ” he said.   ” Come to the dance with me. ”   On a regular basis the little town of Fiddler Creek held dances at the local community center.   The populace didn’t need a reason to get together and