Her Royal Bed by Laura Wright Page B

Abel?”
    Tara grinned. “Deal…Abel.”
    All of a sudden, Jane felt like a third wheel. She’d heard of such a feeling, but had never experienced it. Abel and Tara were standing close, seemingly unaware of her presence, talking quietly about the ranch and Abel’s job. They seemed not to even know that Jane was still there.
    Jane didn’t want to interrupt them, but she wanted to find Bobby. She was glad he’d had Abel call and invite her to the ranch today, glad that he’d let his wall and his pride crumble a little and admit that he wanted to see her again. Granted, she still wasn’t exactly sure what was going to happen with them, but just the fact that he’d made this step gave her some hope.
    Turning to Abel she asked, “Is Bobby around?”
    Abel came out of his dream-like state long enough to nod, though his gaze remained on Tara. “At the paddock. Why don’t you head down there?”
    â€œMom?” Jane said, touching her mother’s arm. “Ready?”
    â€œI got some lemonade up here on the porch,” Abel put in quickly. “Tara, if you’re interested…”
    â€œFresh-squeezed?” Tara asked.
    Abel tried to look aghast. “This is the country, little lady. Is there anything else?”
    Tara shook her head, then said, “And by the way, I like ‘little lady.’ Much better than ma’am.”
    They both laughed, and it was Jane’s turn to shake her head. Her mother was actually flirting, full-on. Jane wasn’t sure if Abel was a shark or a good catch, but she’d definitely find out the answer from his boss.
    â€œAll right,” she said finally. “I’ll go and find Bobby.”
    They both waved at her as she walked away, then Abel took Tara’s hand and led her up the porch steps. Jane went around the side of the house and down the path.
    The ranch was quiet, and she wondered where all the children were. Abel had told her they were understaffed today with an extra-large group of kids. Come to think of it, she mused, there weren’t many cars parked in front of the house.
    As she headed down the path and toward the paddock, she ran smack into Bobby. Surprise registered on his face. So did discomfiture and, if she wasn’t mistaken, a desperate hunger.
    â€œJane.”
    â€œHi.”
    He stared at her, then said a little too caustically, “What are you doing here?”

Eight
    J ane was like a breath of cool air on his hot and sweaty skin. She made the sun shine frustratingly brighter and made his gut tighten with a need he knew would only keep intensifying in her company.
    â€œAbel said you could use another pair of hands.” She studied his face, a slow disappointment settling deeper and deeper into her wide green eyes. “You didn’t do the inviting, did you?”
    His jaw worked. “No.”
    She said nothing, just nodded slowly, then turned around and walked away from him.
    Bobby followed her. “Jane, wait a minute.”
    Stumbling over a large rock, she righted herself and muttered a terse, “No.”
    â€œWhere are you going?”
    â€œTo the car,” she said, her chin lifted as she stalked down the path.
    â€œWhy? You’re here now. Stay.” He cursed under his breath. “I want you to stay.”
    She whirled around and eyed him critically. “Look, I don’t play games. Never have. I think they’re a total waste of time. You either want to see me or you don’t. And after last night, I think I deserve an answer.”
    Frustration seeped into Bobby’s pores. He spotted the barn to his right and grabbed her hand. “Come with me.”
    â€œI don’t think so.”
    But he wasn’t listening. She struggled to free her hand as he tugged her toward the barn, as he kicked open the door and as he pulled her inside. Once there, he eased her back against an empty stall door, his hands falling to