Hawk's Way by Joan Johnston

fence.”
    â€œI’ll take my bath early,” she said. “That way the bathroom will be free when you get back.”
    â€œFine.”
    He had to walk by her to get to the door. Honey marveled at how small any room got with the two of them in it. She stepped back until she pressed against the counter, but their bodies still brushed. Jesse hesitated just an instant before he continued past her. He didn’t look back as he pushed his way out the screen door. But she noticed he caught the door and kept it from slamming on his way out.
    Honey heaved a sigh—of relief?—when she had the kitchen to herself again. She wished she didn’t need Jesse’s help so much on the ranch,because she wasn’t at all sure she could handle having him around. His presence was already changing everything. She was beginning to feel things that she hadn’t ever expected to feel again.
    Nothing could come of her attraction to Jesse. He was a drifter. Sticking around wasn’t in his nature. When the mood struck him, he would be moving on. And she would be left alone. Again.
    She had best remember that when the yearning rose to let him get close.

FOUR
    H oney scooted down, settled her nape on the edge of the free-standing, claw-footed bathtub and closed her eyes. Her entire body was submerged and steam rose from water that lapped at the top edge of the tub. There was no shower in the house, only this aged white porcelain tub. She smiled when she imagined what Jesse’s reaction was going to be when he confronted this monstrosity.
    It was easy to blame the absence of a modern shower on the lack of extra money over theyears she and Cale had been married. But the truth was, Honey loved the old-fashioned deep-bellied tub, with its brass fixtures and lion’s paw legs. Instead of putting in a shower, she and Cale had expanded the capacity of the water heater so it was possible to fill the giant tub with steaming hot water all the way to the top.
    Honey had laced the scalding water with scented bath oil, and the room reeked of honeysuckle. She was reminded of hot baths she and Cale had taken together. Honey crossed her arms and caressed her shoulders, smoothing in the bath oil. And imagined how it would feel if Jesse…
    Abruptly Honey sat up, sloshing water over the edge of the tub. Her eyes flew open and she looked around her. Her daydreams had seemed so real. For a moment it had seemed as though that man was here. In her tub. With her. His hands—never mind where his hands had been! And his mouth—Honey shivered in reaction to the vivid pictures her mind had painted.
    â€œHorsefeathers!” she muttered.
    Honey lunged up, splashing water on thefloor, and grabbed for a terry cloth towel. She wrapped herself in it, then reached down to pull the plug. And felt a spurt of guilt. The water heater would fill the tub once—but not twice. Her remorse didn’t last long, and a smile slowly appeared on her face. Jesse Whitelaw could stand to cool off a little. A nice cold bath ought to help him along.
    Honey was in her bedroom and had almost finished dressing when Jesse knocked at her door.
    â€œHey, there’s no shower in that bathroom,” he said.
    â€œI know.” Honey tried to keep the grin out of her voice.
    He muttered something crude under his breath, then said, “Where are the towels?”
    â€œThe linens on the rack in the bathroom are yours to use.”
    Honey heard the water run for a short while, then stop. She left her bedroom and stood outside the bathroom door listening. There was a long silence, followed by a male yelp and frantic splashing. “This water’s like ice!” he bellowed.
    â€œI know,” she said loud enough to be heard through the door. By now her grin was huge.
    Jesse muttered again.
    â€œI’m going downstairs to fix some dinner for Jack and Jonathan. Enjoy your bath.”
    Her laughter followed her down the stairs.
    Jesse