Cowboy for Keeps by Cathy McDavid

ranch.
    It was neither. Dallas’s number flashed on the display.
    Excitement, then trepidation, shot through him. He suppressed
both. “Hey.”
    “Hope it’s not too late to call.”
    “Is something wrong?”
    Had Richard argued with her? Or was she announcing that they
were back together?
    “Everything’s fine. I just wanted to say you’re a really nice
guy, Conner.”
    “I am?”
    “You didn’t have to help Richard. In fact, nobody would blame
you if you’d told him where to stuff it. Especially your former employees.”
    Richard had talked to Dallas about their conversation.
Interesting.
    “I won’t lie. I thought about doing a lot worse than telling
him where, and how deep, to stuff it.”
    She laughed good-naturedly. Even over a phone line, it had the
ability to lighten his mood. Warm him. Make him think of her pretty brown eyes,
shining with merriment.
    Conner stopped his truck at the entrance to Powell Ranch. He
didn’t want to concentrate on anything except the smile in her voice.
    “I’m glad you didn’t.”
    “I care about the people at Triad. It’s not their fault they’re
saddled with Richard as a boss.”
    She laughed again, and promptly sobered. “You’re a good person
for someone to have on their side.”
    “I try.”
    “The kind of person I’d want on my side,” she added softly.
    It was more than he should admit, but he said it anyway. What
was the worst that could happen?
    “You do. And always will.”
    “I’m glad. Good night, Conner.”
    She disconnected without waiting for him to say good-night in
return.
    Conner’s heart didn’t stop slamming into his rib cage for
several long minutes, after which he put the truck in gear and continued up the
long driveway to the ranch.

Chapter Eight
    Dallas couldn’t remember seeing Powell Ranch so busy.
Granted, it was Saturday, a day when many of the residents of Mustang Village
and nearby Scottsdale took riding lessons, exercised their horses and embarked
on trail rides. The unseasonably mild weather was an added bonus. By next week,
November would be upon them and the temperature was bound to drop.
    Grabbing her camera bag from the passenger seat, she left her
car and strode toward the office in the barn. It had been her intention to come
out last Monday and take pictures of Prince, as she’d told Conner she would.
Several unscheduled and well-paying jobs had caused her to postpone the
trip.
    She’d spoken with him twice since then, the second time about
what day would be best for them to get together. They hadn’t mentioned their
kiss on her doorstep or the details of Richard’s visit.
    She was certain Richard had sensed the undercurrents between
her and Conner. He wasn’t stupid and he wasn’t blind. But he hadn’t asked any
questions, for which she was grateful, and had left shortly after explaining
about the insurance papers.
    It was none of his business who she dated, anyway. They’d
called off their engagement months ago. If he happened to acquire a new
girlfriend, she wouldn’t object.
    A new girlfriend who might well be at his place during his
scheduled day with their baby. A girlfriend who’d possibly feed and change her
child’s diapers. Rock him or her to sleep, as Dallas had Milo.
    Nausea struck, and she pressed a hand to her middle.
    She had to stop thinking about Richard and another woman. About
her and Conner, too. They weren’t dating and
wouldn’t start.
    Maybe they’d date later, after the baby was, say, a year or two
old.
    What about Richard and his future, potential girlfriend? Would
she and not Dallas watch her child take his or her first step? Speak his or her
first word?
    This truly had to end. Right now. If not, she’d make herself
sick overthinking things.
    It was probably just as well she’d been busy this past week.
The separation from Conner had grounded her. Given her time to clear her head
and put their temporary foray into madness into perspective. It was simply a
kiss. The spontaneous