Lost Memories (Honky Tonk Hearts) by Sherri Thomas Page B

questioning gaze flying from her face to Nick’s.
    “I told you last night, she’s helping me with the horses.”
    “I’ll...ah, let him know.” The sound of Trent’s boots clumped as he exited.
    Muscles bunched under the cotton of Nick’s shirt as he hung his head. “This can’t happen.” He turned away presenting her with his back. “Business and pleasure don’t mix.”
    “I’ve heard.” She bristled. Thanks to Chris, she knew all about the kind of women Mr. Authority dated in the past. “Which do I remind you of, the ones who wanted nothing to do with the ranch, or the one who pulled the gun on your brother?” Her blood reached the boiling point more from frustration than anger. It hurt to have him reject her. Hurt more because she was already so alone. And now she’d screwed up the one thing she did have—a job she loved—by throwing herself at him this morning.
    “I know you’re not like them, Darc.” He shook his head, clipped a line under T.J.’s chin, and started to lead him out of the stall. “Let’s talk later. Right now we have a horse to work with.”
    “Fine by me.” She grabbed the rope out of his hand and whirled away. “I can do it.”
    “Darc?”
    “ What? ” She spun back around.
    “I know you aren’t like the other women,” his tone quiet, almost apologetic, “but my brothers and I agreed long before you came here not to mix relationships with the ranch.”
    “You mean you don’t plan to let your girlfriends or wives share in the biggest part of your life?” Did he know how ridiculous he sounded?
    Nick pinched the bridge of his nose. “Can we start today over?”
    “I thought the day began fine. It’s the last few minutes that need redone, but sure, you’re the boss .” The words flew from her mouth before she had a chance to stop them. Her insides twisted at the humiliation of falling all over him only to have him reject her.
    His Stetson lowered, and he sighed. “Let’s take him out to the corral today. Tomorrow we’ll go on the trails.”
    For the remainder of the morning, Darcy sat in the saddle while Nick lunged the horse in a circle, making sure she knew how to stop, turn, and balance her weight in the saddle while T.J. cantered.
    “You know this is pointless. I rode him while you were away.” Every time she mounted up, her body took over where her mind refused to go.
    “You rode him in the corral. We’re taking him out on the trails. I have to be sure you know what you’re doing, although you do ride like a natural.” He continued driving him one way then the other.
    Unable to help herself she stared at Nick, noting the shadow growth of the scruff he didn’t shave and remembered the scrape of those bristles on her skin. The memory brought her hand to her cheek. Her mind raced to visions of him holding her in his arms, his lips on hers. Heat spread through her body, and she shifted her weight in the saddle.
    The horse stopped.
    “Why’d you stop him?”
    “I didn’t mean to.”
    “He’s overly sensitive. Squeeze with your legs and cluck once.”
    She did, and T.J. began to walk.
    “Now turn him yourself.” Nick unhooked the line. “Go to the right.”
    Pushing with her left leg, she loosened one rein and tightened the other.
    “Now to your left.”
    She directed the horse easily, moving as if they were one. The only thing rattling her nerves were the male eyes watching. Her mind jumped to another man helping her in the saddle, leading a horse down the road.
    The sun shone high in the sky. A trickle of sweat traveled down her back.
    “Once you get comfortable with him, we won’t need the rope.”
    “I think we’re at that point now. Don’t you, Captain?” She patted the side of the horse’s neck.
    Perspiration beaded on her brow. Her head pounded in her ears. Why was she having these flashes now?
    The sun’s rays intensified and over the next half hour she found it difficult to concentrate. Her mind held the images just out of