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Slade rose, refusing to rise to that bait as he picked up his Stetson off the chair to put back on. He couldn’t fault her rigid refusal to give an inch because he’d acted the same for a long time, and six months wasn’t long enough for those memories to fade. Nevertheless, he wouldn’t walk away without responding to that taunt. “I expect you to face me when you’re going to accuse me of something. I’ve been up front with you from when we first met. Don’t ever assume otherwise.”
Nicole’s stiff shoulders sagged, and he let it go, unable to leave without offering a sounding board when she was ready.
“I’ve taken several lives, all in the act of saving others. You killed to save yourself. It helped to tell myself they were bad people with malicious intentions until my last assignment. When, or if you want to talk, you’re welcome to drop in anytime. Follow the trail over the creek bridge until you see a house.”
***
NICOLE WAITED UNTILshe heard Slade whistle for Chace, and Sam came barreling inside alone before turning from the sink to face the now-empty kitchen. The space had seemed much smaller and cramped with his large presence, and she breathed easier now that he’d left. She didn’t care for the sudden flush of pleasure she’d experienced when she first saw him outside, or the gratitude she owed him for rescuing her from her folly about the mistaken coyote. It didn’t bear thinking about what might have happened if he hadn’t come over a few minutes after the animal returned. Worse, though, was the guilt from allowing him to think she believed he’d come here wanting sex again. She bemoaned letting the flood of emotions he opened get the best of her.
Sam practically plowed into her, and she bent to rub his chest, Slade’s accurate assessment of her mental struggles still on her mind. Wasn’t it bad enough she’d had to sit through dinner aching to repeat the mistake of sleeping with him? Sexual attraction had always been easy to define and either ignore or go for until he’d demonstrated the benefits of giving up control. The hours of letting go had freed her of guilt for a short time, a much-needed respite from regrets and loneliness, expecting it to end there. Instead, the second she heard his voice, she’d gone hot and damp, her quick response as annoying as his interference until he’d set her straight on the coyote. Her irritation turned inward after hearing she’d unintentionally put Sam in jeopardy.
“Tell me something, boy. How can I want the man when I don’t like him?”
Sam barked and wagged his tail, looking from her to the treat cabinet.” You have a one-track mind, my friend, and are of no help to me in my hour of need.”
Padding into the living room, she turned on the television, hoping to find something that would take her mind off Slade’s last words. He’d said enough to figure he had been overseas in the military, seen and done things necessary to save lives, and that the last mission had not gone well, changing his perspective. Damn it, just enough to keep her curious.
Nicole threw herself onto the couch with a sigh. She didn’t want to appreciate anything about the guy, or feel bad over the blunder he’d rightfully called her on. The possibility they might share something in common went down as well as owing him an apology. And she sure as heck was not happy to admit, one touch and she would strip naked, praying for him to jump her bones again. For the first time since leaving Chicago, she wished her mother or friends were here. After Tony’s death, they became her rock and sounding boards, their honest feedback as truthful and welcome as his used to be since they knew her best.
Sam hopped onto the couch and laid his head in her lap, and she felt her melancholy slip away stroking his soft fur. Comparing the relaxed, happy dog snuggling next to her to the timid, scared pup that first arrived at the shelter reminded Nicole of the months of hard work and socializing it took to rehabilitate him.Maybe I should apply that technique to myself,she contemplated. She would see how the upcoming week went with people around all day and go from there. For certain, the way she’d been going about getting over Tony’s death wasn’t working.
Chapter Eight
After spending halfthe night pissed off at Nicole and the other half worried about her, Slade entered the stables the following morning itching for a battle. He spotted Evan nailing a new horseshoe onto Apollo’s hoof with Reed’s guidance. Instead of obliging his mood, Evan tossed a rare grin over his shoulder as he straightened, dropping the stallion’s leg.
“Check this out. Not bad if I say so myself,” he boasted.
Slade checked the hoof then looked at Evan, pleased with his improved disposition today. “Good job. Are you two done in here?” he asked Reed.
“We’re done. Go ahead and join the others, Evan.”
He waited until Evan was out of earshot before saying, “Came in early and without attitude. I wonder why?”
“I’d rather enjoy the reprieve than waste time questioning it,” Reed stated, stroking Apollo’s brown-spotted neck. “Besides, you walked in with enough attitude for both of you.”
“I was in battle mode, expecting another confrontation.” He strode to Bandit’s stall, and they led their mounts outside before Reed picked up the conversation.
