Love Somebody Like You by Susan Fox Page B

and only” thing that Sally’d had with Pete. Not that Ben was about to mention her husband and get her all depressed again.
    Jana had made him wary about getting into another serious relationship. She’d been hurt when they broke up, even though he’d never been anything but honest. Seemed like she got some expectations into her head, and maybe felt more for him than he did for her. “The one-night stand thing’s worn thin, but I’m nowhere near ready to settle down. When I do date someone, I’m real clear that it’s just for fun, and I make sure she’s of the same mind.”
    â€œSeems like the best approach.” Sally smiled a little. “I always thought women were crazy if they figured they could rope a cowboy before he was good and ready. But I guess some of them just don’t understand how rodeo can get into your blood.”
    â€œThat’s for sure. It’s one hell of a way to try to make a living, but once it’s in your blood it’s hard to give up.” He straightened, wincing as his shoulder twinged. “I’ll get my portable barbecue out, get going on those burgers.”
    She raised her forearms from the fence rail she’d been leaning on and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “If you’re going to stay,” she said slowly, “you can move your trailer to a better location. Down where my truck and horse trailer are parked.” She gestured. “You’ll find some flat ground and you’ll have a pretty view.” Then, as if she didn’t want him to think she was being too nice, she added gruffly, “And you won’t clog up my parking lot.”
    Ben suppressed a laugh. “Thanks. I’ll do that.”
    â€œThere’s a water tap, if you want to run a hose to it. The closest electric outlet’s by the barn door, but maybe we could patch some extension cords together.”
    Yes, Sally knew all about life on the road. “I’ll take the water, but don’t worry about power. I can run my generator every now and then. Hopefully, I’d be far enough away that the noise wouldn’t bother you or the horses.”
    â€œThat should be fine.” She cast a final look at the pregnant mare, who was grazing. “I’ll go pick salad veggies.”
    â€œBefore I forget, give me your cell number. In case I run into any other prospective clients.”
    She did, and he input it into his phone and gave her his in exchange, and then they went their separate ways. She was so prickly nowadays, he mused. Softening every now and then, but mostly trying to keep him at a distance. Her body language was like that too: those guarded expressions, the arms crossed over her chest. Even her clothing was different. Either she’d lost weight recently, or she bought her clothes a size too large. Always a shirt over her tee, and a long-sleeved one at that. She didn’t even roll up her sleeves on a hot July afternoon. The only flesh that was visible was her work-roughened hands, her unmade-up face, the stretch of her neck, and a small curve of freckled skin not covered by the high necklines of her tee and shirt. It was almost like she wanted to disappear inside her clothes.
    Seven years ago, she’d been a vibrant, confident woman, a rodeo queen at the top of her game, passionately in love with the man of her dreams. Had Pete’s death changed her so dramatically? Or had something else happened to create this wary, closed-in woman?
    One day, she would talk to him. From what the physiotherapist had said, it would be a couple of weeks at least before he could think of rejoining Dusty. Why not spend it here? Ben knew how to be patient, although he had more experience doing it with horses than with women. Eventually, the animal trusted you. It’d be the same with Sally.
    He was smart enough to realize that he might be no more successful at hooking up with her than he’d been seven