A leather case, filled with paints and various art supplies, was open on the table, and the piano stool had been placed in front of the lowered easel. Everything was just the right height for Luke to reach without having to stand on his bad leg.
The canvas showed signs of having been the recipient of a temper tantrum. Splashes of color marred the surface in a surreal jumble of angry color. One end was bent and ragged, as though the whole thing had been thrown across the room in a fit of rage. Obviously, it was Luke’s doing, and she wondered what had made him so upset.
What had he been attempting to paint? And what had made him so angry? It all hinted at the depth of character, the seething passion she’d experience in his arms. There was more to Luke than met the eye.
She didn’t know whether to be intrigued or terrified.
* * * * *
LUKE AND HIS MOUNT, a fiery sorrel he’d named Loco, came out of the trees in a burst of speed and topped the ridge overlooking his land. The stallion wasn’t even breathing heavy, and Luke gave his powerful shoulder an affectionate pat. “You’ll do,” he murmured. “You’ll do just fine.”
Matt had brought him the fine stud horse the day before yesterday, but in all the commotion had neglected to mention it. Or perhaps he’d decided not to push his luck after the comment Luke had made about picking him a wife like he picked stud horses for the ranch. On this trip, Matt had decided to do both.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his brother’s judgment. Matt knew his horseflesh. Women, too, he admitted, letting his gaze stray to his house. It just annoyed him that Matt didn’t think he could make decisions like this for himself.
With a sigh, he turned the horse away from the bluff and headed back down the hill. If he wanted Matt to leave him alone, he was going to have to take charge. Somehow he was going to have to find the courage to ignore the whispers and stares that invariably followed him everywhere he went.
If he needed a new stud horse, or anything else, he would have to venture out into the world. He couldn’t hide up here on this damn mountain for the rest of his life.
As soon as he and his mount were down off the hill, he dug his heel into the stallion’s side and coaxed him toward home. He’d given the fine animal a good workout this afternoon. Despite the exhaustion that was starting to creep up on him, he felt better, more in control, than he had in a long time.
Loco’s powerful muscles bunched beneath him, and he closed his eyes, letting his body meld with the animal. Wind stung his face and whipped at his hair, and for now, for this moment at least, he was whole.
* * * * *
LUKE NOTICED THE CHANGESSarah had made to his home the moment he opened the front door. First of all, it smelled different. A fresh, clean scent had replaced the dust and mildew. A riot of fresh-cut flowers, in hues of red and yellow, filled a huge crystal vase on the elegant table in the entry, and the wood shone in the late afternoon light.
The parlor sparkled, as did the music room. He froze, seeing that his work area in the corner was spotlessly clean. Good Lord. He’d never intended for her to see his pathetic attempts to get something down on the canvas.
“Oh, good, you’re home.” Sarah came rushing down the curving flight of stairs, her green eyes full of welcome. “Dinner’s almost ready.”
He returned his gaze to the destroyed canvas, and her steps slowed.
“I didn’t realize you were an artist.” Her voice had lost its exuberance and was now tempered with hesitation.
Luke gave her a suspicious glance. “And I didn’t realize you’d be snooping through my private belongings.”
She flinched at his sharp tone. “I’m sorry.” The ferocity in her eyes belied her meek words. “But I had no reason to believe you didn’t want me to see it. You left it in plain sight.”
Of course, she was right, which fueled his anger and embarrassment. He shook his head, trying to dispel a sudden sense of panic. “Don’t be sorry. It’s my fault. I overreacted.” He tried to smile at her, but she was still looking at him as though he’d lost his mind.
Perhaps he had. “I’ll get cleaned up,” he murmured, hurrying past her to the relative safety of his messy room.
* * * * *
SARAH HAD DINNER ONthe table by the time Luke joined her in the kitchen.
He pulled out her chair, his handsome face grim. “Forgive me for snapping at you.” His breath was warm and tickled the back of her neck as he seated her. “I haven’t tried to paint anything in years, and I was embarrassed when you saw my pathetic attempts.”
“It’s all right,” she assured him, surprised he’d admit such a thing to her.
He took the place across from her, giving her a rueful smile. “Living with me won’t be easy, Sarah. Are you sure you don’t want to change your mind?”
She caught her breath and held his brilliant blue gaze for a long moment. “I won’t change my mind. Are you sure you haven’t changed yours?”
“I haven’t.” He sighed and filled his plate. “I like having you here. I just don’t want you to feel trapped. Matt said he was more than willing to find you a job in Denver.”
She picked at her food, trying to read between the lines. Was he telling the truth, or was he trying to get rid of her? It would probably be best to take Matt’s offer, no matter how much she hated to do so. She had a feeling her relationship with Luke could only lead to heartache.
