Free Burned by a Kiss by Tina Leonard

nearby, Santana said, “Do you think I’m nuts to work for Nick?”
    “No. It’s a great idea. Certainly no nuttier than opening a bridal shop in a town that has, as Nick pointed out, a handful of weddings a year.”
    “I thought my sister was going to go up in smoke when he said that.” Santana chuckled. “I shouldn’t laugh, but Nick’s clearly done some due diligence on what he’s getting himself into in Star Canyon. And Sierra didn’t want to hear a word of practical criticism of her new project.”
    Emma smiled. “Sierra is my dear friend. If she wants to open a bridal shop, I’ll support her. I’ll even put her business cards in my clinic.”
    He was silent. Gus and Bean settled at their feet, worn out from playing. “Have I mentioned I’m a little worried about Sierra?”
    She didn’t want to say it, but she was, too.
    “Ever since we found out about everything, she hasn’t been herself.”
    “You’ve lost the only home you’ve ever known. You’re taking a job with a man your sister refers to as the enemy, and you’re just now getting to grieve, Santana.” Emma considered her words carefully. “Maybe none of you have been the same ever since your father died. It would be very understandable.”
    “I think the reason I’m taking the job with Nick is to stay near the old place.”
    “It won’t drive you insane? Working there, but knowing it’s no longer your home?” Emma looked at him curiously.
    “There’s nothing I can do about the past. What happened, happened, and clearly none of us knew Dad the way we thought we did.” He leaned back, his shoulder brushing hers in a way that felt companionable. “I figure helping Nick manage the place keeps it in his hands, instead of letting somebody take it over that will chop it up into small lots for homes. I’m being selfish, I suppose.”
    “I should get everybody to bed,” she said softly. “I fall asleep early, in case I get an emergency call in the night. Routine is everything in my business.”
    He stood when she did.
    Oh, she had good intentions. She was trying to convince herself more than Santana. So when he leaned down to kiss her goodnight, Emma closed her eyes, almost relieved when his lips touched hers. Her whole body yearned to be close to his, as if she’d waited forever to be in his arms. She wanted so badly to pull his head closer to hers, get as close to him as she possibly could.
    “Wait a minute.” She pulled back, looked up at him. “Why are you kissing me?”
    He hesitated for a fraction of a second. “Since saying because I want to isn’t the answer you’re looking for…I guess I have to admit that I’m just as intrigued by you as Nick is by my sister.” He touched the curve of her cheek. “The only difference is that Nick doesn’t know why he’s fascinated by Sierra, and he’ll probably end up getting third-degree burns. I, on the other hand, know exactly why you fascinate me.”
    “You said everything had changed,” Emma reminded him, “I know everything has changed for you. You sounded very clear about having developed a sudden case of cold feet.”
    “I’m not going to say that I’ve handled this whole new-cousin-takes-over-the-ranch and you’re-all-adopted scenario very well. Probably I haven’t handled it one bit.” He shrugged and suddenly released her, as if he’d had second thoughts and was fighting temptation. “You’re right. There’s things I need to work out. You’re the one thing in my life that’s stayed constant, and I guess I’m drawn to that. Which isn’t fair to you. All I know is that when I’m around you, I want you like nothing I’ve ever wanted. Frankly, I’d give anything to be the man who deserves you, Emma Glass.”
    He gave the puppies a swift pat on their heads, delighting them, and let himself out.
    “And that,” she told Gus and Bean, “is how to run a guy off in record time.”
    Santana had wanted her—she’d felt it, in the way he caressed her