"You usually work like that?" he asked, taking in her tight jeans, fancy boots and even tighter tank top. She wore a little cropped pink sweater she probably thought preserved her modesty, but it was sexy as hell. Her shiny, rich brown hair flowed past her shoulders, shifting with every step she took. The girl he remembered had usually worn her hair scraped into a ponytail or bun.
“I hadn't intended to work, but figured I'd get in a little instruction while Biscuit had a potty break. I was supposed to go to Cooter’s. Now, I think I better just get back home and take care of the puppies.”
“Cooter’s, huh? Planning on a little honky-tonking?”
She laughed. “Not exactly planning. More like being pushed.”
“Who’s doing the pushing?”
“Frank.” She raised her brows. “Remember him?”
He wondered if she knew how sexy that eyebrow quirk was. And he wondered why the heck he was noticing. And responding! He grinned. “Vaguely. Six foot. Bushy hair. My best friend since grade school?”
“Yep. That’s my brother. Ever since he and Lori got married, he’s decided that my life is boring and I need to get out and find a man.” Little did her brother know that was the furthest thing from her mind. Her ex-husband, Bret, had seen to that. But no one in her family knew the darker secrets of her disastrous marriage and she intended for it to stay that way. Thus, her agreement to go along with Frank and Lori's persistence.
Lyle’s brow rose, tipping his hat. “Never known Frank to meddle.”
“He’s turned over a new leaf. It’s a bit much."
“So what’s the problem?”
She shrugged. “I’m more comfortable with animals than people.”
He could relate. To an extent. He certainly enjoyed getting out. Definitely enjoyed women. Lyle tilted his head, his crooked grin softening. “Well, Firefly, you’ve got a knack for the critters, no doubt about that. But people aren’t so bad. You just have to train them like your dogs—some need a firm hand, some need a soft touch, and some just need a good belly rub.”
Heather laughed, the sound light and unexpected. “Is that your secret? Charm every living creature with belly rubs?”
“Works on most.” He gave her a wink. “Though I suspect you’re a little more complicated than your pups. Probably take strategy and patience. Lucky for you—” he spread his arms in a mock boast “—patience is my specialty.”
“Is that so?” Heather rolled her eyes, but the edges of her lips curved upward. She turned her attention back to Biscuit, who had fallen asleep on the stainless-steel table now that the swelling and breathing issues had stabilized. Her voice softened. “Thanks for saving him, Lyle. He’s important.”
“That’s my job. Just don’t let him near another honeysuckle patch, and you’ll be fine.”
She smiled at that, an expression of both relief and gratitude that hit Lyle right in the chest. “I’ll try. Though these little troublemakers have a way of keeping me on my toes.”
“Word on the street is that you’re pretty good at what you do.”
Heather met his gaze, her lips parting slightly as if to respond to the compliment, but the sound of a phone vibrating from her back pocket pulled her attention away. She dug out her phone, glancing at the screen. “It’s Frank. Speak of the devil.”
Lyle leaned against the table, crossing his arms. “Guess I’ll let you escape this time, Firefly, but don’t think I’ve forgotten we’re due some catching up.”
Heather raised an eyebrow at him again, slipping her phone back into her pocket without answering the call. “You’ll have to catch me first, Vet.”
“I like a challenge,” Lyle shot back, his grin widening as Heather turned on her heel to gather Biscuit, who was now snoozing peacefully. And then, unexpectedly, Heather parried back over her shoulder.
“Good. Because I’m not easy to keep up with.”
As she carried the pup toward her waiting SUV, the soft pink of the setting sun casting a glow over her, Lyle found himself rooted in place. That was a side of Heather Prescott he hadn’t seen before—one full of quiet fire and boldness. The shy little girl-next-door he remembered was long gone, and in her place was a woman who might just make him break his own rules.
Mike’s voice interrupted the moment. “You thinking what I’m thinking?” his brother’s playful tone drawled behind him.
Lyle turned to find Mike leaning against the barn door with an exaggerated smirk on his face and his arms crossed casually. Why in the world were his brothers showing up in the barn all of a sudden? “Which thought would that be, exactly?”
Mike pointed after Heather’s retreating figure. “That sexy lady might be just what this tired ranch needs. Shake things up a little. Or is it just you she’s got all tied in knots?”
“Get out. She’s Frank’s kid sister.”
“Don’t look like no kid to me.”
