Free The Rancher by Lily Graison Page B

everything she'd ever thought she wanted in
a man. Someone strong and handsome. A hard worker with a gentle
smile and a pleasing tone of voice that didn't make her insides
shake at the mere sound of it.
     
    He was also persistent and
borderline irritating. And she couldn't help the nervous
butterflies that were awakened at the mere sight of him.
     
    She rounded the corner and
walked to the sidewalk, trying to think of something to say to him
but he beat her to it, giving her one of those little smiles she
liked so much and tipping his hat at her. "Mind if I walk with
you?"
     
    "Will you go away if I say I'd
rather be alone?"
     
    "Probably not."
     
    "Somehow, I didn't think so." He
fell into step with her and Laurel clutched her reticule, pulling
her coat tighter against her, and tried not to notice how tall he
was, or how wonderful he smelled. Like fresh hay and sun dried
clothes. "I'm just going to the end of the street, Holden. I'm sure
I can make it there just fine on my own."
     
    He looked down at her and smiled
again. "I'm sure you can but seeing how that's where I'm headed, it
seems a bit silly to walk on the other side of the road."
     
    Laurel glanced up at him and
wished she hadn't. He was far too handsome for her good sense,
especially when he looked at her as if he was thinking things a
decent man wouldn't dare to think about a woman he barely knew.
Those butterflies were back and her pulse fluttered.
     
    They reached the end of town,
the hotel with its newly painted exterior looking as spiffy as any
she'd seen. The diners filling the restaurant were clearly seen
through the window and even though she was near to starving,
walking inside that building was getting harder every day.
     
    Holden walked to the door,
opened it and held it for her. She stared at him, wondering why he
still went out of his way to be nice to her after she'd plainly
told him she wasn't interested in anything more from him. "Why are
you here?"
     
    He had the decency to blush
before letting the door swing back shut. "Well, to be honest,
Laurel, I'm here for you. I plan on courting you all proper like
whether you like it or not."
     
    It was her turn to blush now.
She swallowed to moisten her throat and blinked at him. "Why? I've
already told you my feelings about it."
     
    That grin was back. He tipped
the front of his hat up with one finger, meeting her gaze head on.
"Truth is, despite your surly attitude and your rude behavior
towards everyone in town, me especially, I just can't stop thinking
about you. You can fight me until you're blue in the face Laurel,
but I'm not going anywhere. I'll dog your every step until you see
I'm the man you're suppose to be with. We belong together."
     
    Her face burned at his admission
and her heart was beating so hard she wondered if he could hear it.
She looked down the street, noticing the people still milling about
town on a Friday evening and wondered if her playing it safe, and
keeping her distance from everyone, was what was making life so
miserable. She hadn't always felt this way. In the dozen or so
towns she'd found herself in since leaving home, she'd been happy.
Now, happiness seemed an illusive creature and the man standing in
front of her was the reason.
     
    Turning her attention back to
Holden, she released a pent up breath and met his gaze. He was
still watching her, the look on his face saying he wasn't going
anywhere, and if she were honest with herself, she'd know she
didn't want him to.
     
    She shook her head at him and
smiled. "Fine. Since its obvious you're not going to go away, I'll
make a deal with you. Stop asking me for things I'm not ever going
to give you, and stop getting on my nerves, and I might let you
escort me to supper on occasion."
     
    The smile he graced her with
would have lit a starless night. Her insides quivered as she looked
at him and when he crossed the space between them and took her
hand, her heart skipped a beat.
     
    "All I'm asking for is a