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“I wanted to discuss something with you. Could I come in?”

The contrast of that craggy voice with the overly polite words increased his exotic quotient by ten. He appeared Hispanic—at least part—so perhaps English wasn’t his first language.

“I—uh—”

Hell. Since when did she get tongue-tied around men? She’d been raised by one, been raised with one, worked next to them, and worked for them. However, she’d never seen one quite like this.

Gina took a deep breath, which smelled oddly of oranges, and tried again: “Sure.”

Opening the screen door, he stepped inside. He was a lot taller standing next to her than he’d looked from the upstairs window. For the first time in a long time Gina didn’t experience the urge to slouch. She stood five ten in her stocking feet. Put on her boots and she was pushing six foot.

Here, in the land of itty-bitty women, Gina was a giantess. She didn’t need anything else to make her feel like a freak. Being labeled an orphan had long been good enough.

Her gaze was caught by a single white envelope on the hall table. Dr. Mecate again.

She cursed beneath her breath, snatched up the letter, and tore it in half, then in half again. For good measure, she crumpled the parts into a teeny-tiny ball and tossed them into the trash.

The stranger cleared his throat. “Bad news?”

“Sorry.” What had gotten into her to behave like that in front of a potential customer? Since he was still waiting for an explanation, she shrugged and told him the truth—or at least part of it. “Some professor…” Gina couldn’t help it; her mouth twisted on the word. “Wants to dig up my land. Ain’t happenin’. Not in this lifetime.”

He blinked a few times. “Ah. I see.”

“What can I do for you, Mr.…?”

“I’m Teo.” He held out his hand.

Gina took it, enjoying the scrape of his calluses against her own.

“I was—uh—” He looked around as if he could find what he wanted in her front hall.

“Were you interested in one of our packages?” Gina prompted.

Why else would he be here? Unless it was to try to collect on a bill.

“Sure,” he blurted. “That’s why I’m here.”

“Our Trail and Spa package starts today. That’s a three-day trail ride, followed by two days of spa services in the lodge and surrounding area; then we finish up with a slightly more difficult four-day trip. Does that sound like something you’d be interested in?”

“Definitely.”

“Then if you’ll just follow me to my office, Mr. Teo…” Gina realized they still held hands, but when she tried to retrieve hers he held on.

Confused, she lifted her gaze. His eyes weren’t brown as she’d thought but hazel and, when surrounded by long, dark hair and a well-bronzed face, as striking as the face itself.

“Just Teo,” he said, voice even rougher. “And you are?”

“Gina O’Neil.” She pumped his hand once more, and this time when she pulled back he let her.

“The proprietor.”

“Have we met?” Gina knew damn well they hadn’t. Him she would remember.

“Your name was in here.” He pulled their brochure from his back pocket. “Gina O’Neil, owner.”

Gina was happy to see those brochures had been good for something. They’d cost a bundle she hadn’t wanted to spend, but Jase had insisted self-promotion was the key to increasing their business. Maybe he was right.

“Let’s get you registered, Mr.—” He cocked his head and his garnet-streaked hair slid over one sun-kissed cheek. “Teo,” she corrected. “This way.”

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