The Reluctant Texas Rancher (Harlequin American Romance) by Cathy Gillen Thacker Page B

nevertheless.
    Because she had regrets. About all the things she hadn’t said. Or done…
    Travis slowly, patiently closed the distance between them once more. “About what I did then? No. No regrets.” His gaze ardently traced her face, lingering on each feature in turn. He rubbed his thumb across her lip, absorbing the dewy moisture from their kiss. “It was the right decision for both of us at that time.” His expression gentled. “But now—now is a different situation entirely.”
    Liz knew she should keep her distance.
    Travis had crushed her dreams once and would surely do so again, when they found themselves in a different place. But as he pulled her against him, lowered his head and kissed her deeply, her will to fight faded as quickly as it had appeared.
    Being with him like this felt like the most natural thing in the world. It felt right. So right, that with a little bit of luck, and more maturity… She opened her mouth to his, stroking his tongue with hers. With unrestrained passion, she surged against him, tempted by his warmth and his strength.
    Travis responded, seeming to promise that if she dared give them another chance, the second time around would be so much sweeter and more fulfilling....
    And that was when the sound of car engines came to their awareness and a blinding beam of light swept over them.
    Embarrassed to be caught in a clinch, Liz broke off the impetuous kiss and stepped back. She lifted her arm to shield her eyes.
    Silence reigned once again as the motors were cut, the headlamps faded.
    Tillie and Faye Elizabeth got out of the sedan. Reba climbed down from the Four Winds Ranch pickup.
    Hoping to divert their attention, and feel less like a reckless teenager caught in a heated clinch, Liz stepped forward. “What are you doing home so early?” Ignoring the tingling of her lips, she pretended a nonchalance she couldn’t begin to feel. “I thought you were staying late, to play cards.”
    Tillie sighed. “Reba asked about an afghan crocheted by J.T.’s late wife, and that was all it took to get him upset. He asked us to leave, so we did.”
    Liz winced. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
    “J.T. wants you to call him first thing, for an update about his rezoning request,” her mother added.
    No doubt he would be as irascible as ever, too. “I’ll take care of it,” she promised as the first spattering of raindrops landed on her head.
    Faye Elizabeth put up a hand to shield her hair, and headed for the door. “Coming in?” she asked Liz.
    The invitation was clearly not extended to Travis.
    “In a minute,” she promised.
    Over her shoulder, her grandmother warned, “Don’t stay out here too long. We don’t want you getting soaked to the skin.”
    Tillie followed her daughter. “Travis is such a gentleman. I am sure he won’t let that happen.”
    “As long as something does,” Reba teased.
    The three elder Cartwrights disappeared inside the house.
    Chagrined, Liz turned to Travis.
    The two of them ducked beneath the roof of the back porch. “Sorry about that.” She flushed.
    Travis turned to face her and propped one shoulder against the limestone ranch house. “Score two for us resuming a relationship,” he remarked.
    Was that what he thought it was? Liz wondered, both excited by the notion and distressed by the arrogance of the assumption.
    Rain fell in fat drops, splattering on the grass and scenting the air.
    “One against,” Travis continued.
    Sadly, there was no saving either of them from Faye Elizabeth’s disapproval.
    “That pretty much sums it up.” Liz sighed.
    “The real question is—” Travis drew her close enough to feel his body heat “—what do you want?”
    Liz knew she didn’t want a fling. Marriage—or even the hope of anything permanent and long-lasting—scared her, since love never worked out for Cartwright women. The odds of finding any middle ground were just as poor.
    To spare them both further discomfort and embarrassment, she