Conall's Legacy by Kat Wells

her voice. That was a mistake. His gaze landed on her full lips. Drake’s heart began a heavy, rhythmic thumping as need ignited the blood coursing through his veins. What’s happening to me? he wondered. This whole thing was too personal, and too close for comfort. Things had to get back to normal between them. He was leaving as soon as possible. Knowing that didn’t allow for a flirtation that could lead to more. His heart wasn’t free to give to any woman, no matter how much he admired and wanted her.
    Drake shook his head clear. “What did you say?” he asked.
    “I was apologizing. When things like this happen, you don’t stop to think on a ranch. You do what needs done. And you did it.” She nodded at his soaked body. “I’ll take care of your clothes if you bring them over.”
    “No need. I can handle it.”
    “Right. Okay then.” A rosy flush kissed her cheeks.
    Desire continued to race through Drake’s body. He fought the urge to pull her close. He dropped his hands to his sides before he made a move he’d regret. It wouldn’t be right to take advantage of her when she’d just had the daylights scared out of her.
    His thoughts shifted and pain stabbed through him where desire had been moments before. Cops helped people, didn’t they? Conall always had. Person, animal, it didn’t matter to him. The Conman could never resist a creature in jeopardy. When it came right down to it, neither could Drake.
    Helping, being of service, it was all part of what he did and who he was. It was a major part of what Drake had lost, at least for a time. His job. Something, he admitted to himself, he might not get back if Rick and the medical board didn’t believe he was fit for duty.
    He looked into Luisa’s smiling face, swung his gaze to the baby curled against her mother in the deep straw. Now peace and happiness radiated in this place.
    Would he return to his normal life? Would he ever again know such contentment? Somehow, Drake doubted it. Contentment for Luisa came from her life on the ranch and faith in an invisible force. For him, there was nothing but the here and now--and fate.

    CHAPTER SIX

    “You owe him, big time.” Cindy sounded smug. “After all, he did save Queenie and her foal.”
    “Cindy ...” Luisa tucked the receiver between her ear and shoulder so she could pick up a dishtowel. “I don’t need or want a man in my life.” She dried her dinner plate and set it on the spotless, uncluttered counter.
    “Everyone needs someone special in their lives,” Cindy argued.
    Luisa dried her salad bowl and set it on the plate. “I’m perfectly happy with my animals. They don’t hassle me like some pushy people I know.” She smiled and reached for her fork.
    “I want you to be happy and--”
    “I am happy.” She set the fork beside her dishes. Her gaze settled on the lone place-setting and sorrow settled over her heart. Her gaze slid around the room. The refrigerator’s face was uncluttered. No sloppy children’s pictures hung there. No tacky magnets.
    Cindy’s voice drew her back to the present. “What did you say?” Luisa asked.
    “Darn it all. I asked if you want a family anytime in the near future--like before you go gray.” Exasperation fluttered in her friend’s voice.
    Maybe I do . Luisa fought to erase the picture that sprang up: Little, dark haired kids playing in the grass under the cottonwoods as she had done, or begging for rides on the Welsh pony she’d buy for them. Raising them to appreciate and respect nature the way she did and as her father had taught her.
    Luisa turned her back on the solitary place setting and leaned against the counter.
    “I told you, he only helped me because I didn’t give him a choice. We haven’t said three words to each other since the filly was born.”
    “So--do the neighborly thing and bake him one of your great cakes.”
    Luisa twisted the phone cord around her fingers and thought about Drake. “I’m not sure I should do that. He