Lone Star Cinderella by Debra Clopton Page A

hadn’t been able to think properly. Her brain was in overdrive. She wanted to surge full throttle ahead on this adventure. But Seth was forcing the parking brake. When he’d agreed to show her the ravine, hugging him had just happened. She didn’t throw her arms around men in ecstatic hugs—this was not who or what she did. But, then, she realized as they rode through his pastures that she didn’t mind so much not being who she’d always been.
    She was going to hunt for this treasure. She was. All she had to do was convince Seth to help her. It would be so much fun.
    They drove about five miles cross-country through the flat pastures then up into the hills and the trees. When he brought the truck to a stop at last, they were sitting at the top of a ravine. Before her was a vast, deep, densely wooded swath of steep hills and gullies. She was amazed at how quickly the terrain could change here in the hill country.
    â€œ Now do you see what I’ve been trying to explain?If this guy accidentally found a cave, the odds that he got the map right are against him. You can get turned around in there even when you know the lay of the land as well as I do.”
    She could believe that. Looking at the scope of the ravine made the task appear almost impossible. Almost. She would not be denied as she looked at Seth and smiled. “But we have a map.”

Chapter Six
    â€œS o does anything around here look like twins to you? I mean you said you’ve been all around out here. It’s probably something easy.”
    Seth climbed over a large fallen tree trunk and held his hand out to Melody. Treasure on his land was the last thing he wanted, but he didn’t mind hiking through the woods with Melody. She was not an outdoorsy kind of woman but she was trying, probably because she was so excited. He hated to tell her that her excitement wasn’t going to make him decide to go any farther than this short trip. He was indulging her for a minute just to dissuade her, but he had no intention of opening this potential hornet’s nest. He was just trying to show her how futile it would be to search out here.
    Still, he was feeling guilty about it when she smiled like a schoolgirl and took his outstretched hand. A jolt of electricity shot through him, and she immediately stumbled over the tree trunk as her eyes locked with his, making him think she felt it, too. He swallowed hard and tried to concentrate.
    There was no denying the fact that if he didn’t focus on the big picture he could very well lose his head and do something stupid. “So do you see anything?” he asked again.
    â€œYou mean matching rocks?” she asked.
    â€œRight. That’s what I mean,” he said, more harshly than he should have. “You ever been walking around in the woods?”
    Her expression turned wistful. “No. Katy’s a bit more city than this, being so tied in with the Houston area. But I’ll get used to it. I’m a bookworm, remember?” She glanced back at him.
    He had to react quickly, thrusting a tree limb out of her way before she ran into it. “Believe me, I’ve noticed.”
    â€œBut, I’ve thought about it. I’ve even thought it would be fun to hike down into the Grand Canyon.”
    That made him laugh. “Sorry. But that’s a bit ambitious for a gal who doesn’t even get out into the woods every once in awhile.”
    She deflated. “Well, it’s just something I’ve thought about.” She looked around, then beamed. “And I’m out here now. That’s a start.”
    Man, the woman was just too cute. “Yes, it is. I’m the one who’s out here under duress.”
    She didn’t smile, but he could see her eyes crinkle up at the edges. It was a nice day, and even if he had no expectations for where this was going, he definitely could go along with her for awhile. She was having a good time. And the woman