Crazy for Lovin’ You by Teresa Southwick

said yours is a good way of life. I consider it a civil service to give you a recommendation.”
    Taylor believed him. Maybe it was just because she wanted to so badly, but she did.
    She threw herself into his arms. “I can’t believe it! A thumb’s-up from the legendary Mitch Rafferty, bull rider extraordinaire.” She kissed his lean cheek. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
    â€œYou’re welcome,” he said, a smile in his voice.
    Closing her eyes for a moment, she savored the contact. It was risky, especially when he fell into that sweet and considerate category she was so leery of. But she couldn’t help it.
    Then she felt him tighten his grip, snuggling her more securely against him. Cold feet time.
    â€œWhat will the neighbors say?” She wriggled out of his arms, a second after meeting his amused gaze.
    â€œProbably nothing since the closest one is a left turn past yonder.”
    â€œYeah.” She backed away and stuck her fingertips into her pockets. “Anyway, I’m really grateful.”
    â€œGlad to help,” he said simply.
    In silence they started walking again. As they neared the pool area, she noticed that his limp was more pronounced than she’d seen before. “Are you okay?”
    He nodded. “Just stiff. And part of the reason I camelooking for you to tell you about the reporter. I needed a walk to work the kinks out of it.”
    She slipped off her boots so as not to track muck over the decking. Walking past the pool, she stopped just outside the sliding door that led into the kitchen eating area and set her boots beside the patio mat.
    She glanced back at Mitch where he stood staring into the crystal-clear pool water. Something about his expression tugged at her heart. In her stocking feet, she walked back and stopped beside him.
    She met his gaze. “That must have been a difficult time—the injury and everything. It must have been tough to make the decision to leave the pro circuit.”
    â€œConsidering the alternative, that part was easy. Surgery, pins, screws and plates in my leg was hard. Not to mention rehabilitation afterward.”
    â€œStill, you were young. I hope what’s her name at least hung around until you got out of the hospital.”
    â€œI don’t remember.”
    The dark intensity in his eyes told her differently. “I know you’d never admit to it in a million years, but you were probably scared.”
    â€œYou’re right.”
    â€œYou were scared?”
    He shook his head. “I’d never admit to that in a million years.”
    â€œYou don’t always have to be the strong, silent type, you know.”
    â€œI’m not being any type. But I do believe that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
    Taylor bent over to dip her hand in the water. “Nice.” She stood. “Not too cold. And the Jacuzzi might help the stiffness in your leg—”
    Suddenly he scooped her into his arms, as easily as if she were a five-pound sack of potatoes.
    â€œWhat are you doing?”
    â€œI also believe in don’t get mad, get even.”
    She shook her head. “Haven’t we been through this before? You didn’t throw me in then, I don’t believe you’ll do it now. All talk and no action, Rafferty.”
    â€œIf you yank a rattler’s tail, you best brace yourself for the bite.” There was a devilish grin on his face as he walked to the deep end of the pool.
    â€œYou wouldn’t dare,” she warned him.
    â€œI never could resist a dare.”
    The next thing she knew, she hit the water fanny first.

Chapter Six
    M itch watched for Taylor to surface. He wasn’t quite sure why he’d thrown her in, except maybe to wash away the sadness in her eyes on account of his leg. Since he was a boy, folks had looked at him with the same expression she just had, because he was the kid no one wanted. But he was luckier