w in her eyes. It seemed Luke’s presence was having the exact opposite

ie said, “and I’ll be back before you know

ed. “Why is Luke leaving so soon? I th

his own

tick around for a while, and maybe

ng out paperwork an

g you two could go down to that Thompson r

be in a dream. “You’re a

’re acting so strange about

immature to make such an import

boyfriend by your side, I’m sure you’l

Hallie resisted. It was too good an offer to pass up. He

ly ask Terry or Bill

” her mother said with a sly smile. “And I’m

ks, m

east because mama actually

tly and went out

owboy was only too happ

drove away from the house. “I’m

owboy stuff,” Hallie said, “So I

ed with the main highway as Luke sat back, evidently enjoyi

uch about catt

“What kind of cowboy w

ng, or maybe he was joking. She glanced o

rds you when you enter the pasture. It means they’re not l

odding, “But don’t you enjo

All that time spent chasing cows and fixing fences is not as fun as

ing a big, stron

ed a glance at him again, trying to see if he

roughbred race horse than a bull, all lean and graceful muscle

ourself killed, we’re not

o fun,” h

dangerous to ha

bull rider

junkies, and it’s better

ust know how

il a bull stomps on you and b

” Luke said, totally unfazed by her warn

, I’m

strange man and

’re all that dange

t a shiver up her spine and made her heart race. It was li

d and didn’t reply. Luke started playing with

at the Thompson ranch, she had her pulse under control. She could sense L

your ranch,” he said just as Hallie turned off the en

iling politely. She wasn’t ready to decide how to deal

k and take in a new setting this ranch w

ny surprise that it was the younger daughter this

, greeting her with a hug, “Your m

too, Mr. Thomps

uke next. “Hi,

all me Luke.” He gave Mr.

the ranch,” Hallie

a friend of mine,” said Jake. “Come o

here Hallie could easily see that they had a nice s

fine-looking c

ggested, “I’ll be around

turned to Luke and mou

g to use bedroom eyes on her again. He smiled

think, being an

rime cows,” Luke said, nodding,

ws that she could find. They all looked beautiful and healthy. She

s so proud of herself making her first independent purchase. Maybe having

apparently didn’t remember agreeing to be a pretend b

he had to set

,” Hallie said when the truck st

k’?” he asked, grinning

t’s not wha

ow what I thin

ing to be easy. He was c

a walk,” Hal

t’s not omin

ck, walking stiffly at fi

where a few cows roamed. It was the middle of the afternoon, but not qui

she began, “you’ve b

re intimidated by me. You’re pretty young, and you probably haven’t had a chance to dat

sness. “You’re very full of yourself, but

up off the street because you thought I was homeless… or attra

ood-looking and sophisticated, and he was at least pretending to be interested

t going to lead him on either. Hallie didn’t want to do t

his arms folded in front of his imposing body, altho

ll you the truth.” Hal