THE COWBOY SHE COULDN'T FORGET by Patricia Thayer Page A

desk and Ana’s eyes grew large, but he didn’t stop. He placed his hat in the overstuffed chair beside her, then took the phone from her hand.
    He sat on the edge of the desk directly in front of her as he spoke into the receiver. “Hello, Josie. This is Vance. I have something important to talk to Ana about, so you’ll have to call her back. Later.” He hung up the phone.
    Ana looked shocked. “Why did you do that?”
    He pulled her to her feet, settled her between his legs as his arms went around her waist, bringing her even closer. “So I can do this.”
    He dipped his head and captured her lips. She remained stiff for a second or two, then slowly sighed as she melted into him. Soon she raised her hands around his neck and threaded her fingers through his hair.
    Good Lord. No woman had ever felt as good as Ana. His tongue slipped inside and tasted her essence, only making him want her more. He finally tore his mouth away and looked at her.
    Her eyes were wide with desire. “I take it you don’t hate me anymore.”
    “I never did.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “Just jealousy rearing its ugly head. I’m sorry.”
    “Why would you be jeal—”
    He cut off the words when he kissed her again, and again. “Because I want you, Ana. I care about you.”
    Her eyes rounded. “Oh, Vance...” She drew a shaky breath. “I’m not sure. If things don’t work out between us...”
    “How will we know if we don’t give it a try?”
    Her gaze searched his face. “What about Colt?”
    “He’s not here.”
    “He will be,” she stated.
    “Suddenly you need your daddy’s approval?”
    “It’s not that, it’s everything else. Along with Dad, we have a ranch to run together.”
    Vance was hurt that she had so many excuses, but he hid it with anger. He held her back so he could stand. “I guess that tells me what I needed to know.” He reached for his hat, and was heading for the door when she called to him.
    “Vance, it’s not that.... I mean, if it doesn’t work out...”
    He gripped the brim of his hat. “Ana, why don’t you think about it, and give me a call when you decide what you want?” He turned and walked out. A man had to have some pride, even when it came to love.
    * * *
    Sometime in the early morning, Ana got tired of rolling around in bed, and finally got up and went downstairs. She glanced at the clock; it wasn’t even 4:00 a.m. Great. She poured herself a glass of juice and went to the large picture window behind the kitchen table.
    She kept playing over and over in her head what Vance had said to her. I want you. She wanted him, too, but she was scared, scared to give her heart to a man. No, it was just this man. Vance had the power to hurt her, because she already cared about him.
    She heard a noise behind her, then Kathleen appeared. “Sorry, did I wake you?”
    “I was getting up anyway.” Still in her pajamas and robe, the older woman came up to her, looking concerned. “Are you okay, Ana?”
    “Yeah, I’m just a little restless.”
    The housekeeper had been a mother and a friend. “I suspect it’s more than that.”
    Ana started to deny it, but Kathleen interrupted. “Could you be missing a certain man since he moved out of the house?”
    “Crazy, isn’t it? Most of the time we can’t even be civil to each other.” Ana couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened in the office earlier.
    Kathleen sighed. “Sweetheart, you two have been dancing around each other since you came back here to live.” In the predawn quiet, Ana could hear Kathleen’s humor. “So have you decided to do anything about it?”
    Was that it? Did she feel safer dancing around the issue without risking her heart? “Me? Why should I do something?”
    She was met with silence.
    “Maybe I’m scared,” Ana admitted.
    “Love is scary. Don’t let what happened to your parents stop you.” Kathleen turned to her. “All I can tell you is what I know. Vance Rivers is a good man. But when