My Southern Bride (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 4) by Kathy Carmichael Page A

showed her trepidation.
    "I am sorry."
    She nodded. "Thanks."
    "You can't take care of all of us if you don't take care of yourself first."
    "Not eating breakfast wouldn't have hurt me—"
    He cut her off. "Yes, it would have. When I brought you to the ranch, you didn't sign up for any of this. The storm, the animals, me."
    She gave him a wan smile but remained silent.
    "I'm thankful you're here and willing. If you hadn't been here, I don't know what would be happening. How we'd survive. I'm grateful, is all."
    "I'm sure you would manage."
    "By crawling to the barn and back?"
    The image brought a smile back to her face. Good.
    "I think the problem is I'm not used to being cooped up like this. Maybe I should try going to the barn with you to let the horses back in."
    "No way. If you fall and hurt your other leg, I won't be able to carry you back to the house."
    He fought the crankiness that threatened to take over. It wasn't like him to be idle, and it didn't sit well. "I need something to do. I'm going stir crazy."
    "What you need is a fresh ice pack and another aspirin. Once the swelling is down in your ankle, you might be able to move about more."
    Monty Joe grinned. "I like it when you're nursing me."
    "Don't try your wiles on me, cowboy. I've got your number." She gave him a saucy toss of her hair. "You think if you sweet talk me I'll be more likely to help you out to the barn."
    "It was worth a shot."
    Their eyes met while she studied him for a moment. Silence hung in the air, and he wondered what she hadn't said. Something was eating at her.
    Well, to be honest, something was eating at him, too. A man could drown in the depths of her blue eyes, and those depths were a place he most definitely shouldn't want to go.
    His mind shot back to everything they'd been through together in less than 24 hours. Most times he'd made her feel less than welcome. Other times he'd gone out of his way to be civil, like when he'd cooked her steak. She'd seen him in his element with the horses. But she'd also witnessed a man fallen, literally, and in need of her help.
    And she'd seen him in his boxers.
    When he'd fallen on the bedroom floor, he'd noted how her gaze had settled to his torso and her jaw had dropped. He hadn't planned it, but it had happened. But being a lady, she had helped him up.
    In such a short time, they'd been through more than most couples who'd dated for months. More trying times and more moments of intimacy.
    Considering how lonely he'd been, was it any wonder he found her company enticing? Was it any wonder he found the way her nose twitched when she was fighting anger to be endearing? Was it any wonder he'd spent the morning debating whether her lips would be as soft as a baby bunny or sweeter than a ripe nectarine?
    "Why don't you turn over the new list of chores you made?"
    His list contained some chores he normally wouldn't have added if he hadn't felt so cooped up. Chores he wasn't likely to do himself.
    Giving her this list was not a good idea. Not while she was just on this side of a smile. "Why don't you grab your shower first, and then we can discuss my list?"
    "I want to think over the chores while I'm in the shower."
    "My list is too complex. Shower first."
    She shot him a look that bored into his soul. How did she do that?
    He squirmed.
    "Is there any reason why you don't want me to see your list?"
    Bingo.
    But he couldn't admit that.
    "It'll take awhile to discuss it. Go do your girly things first, and afterward we'll have a nice chat."
    "Is there something in my hair? Do I stink?"
    "Maybe a little hay in your hair, but it looks cute." He sniffed the air near her. "No, you don't stink."
    "So if it's not me, then it's your list. Where is it?" She glanced around the area where he sat.
    At least he'd been smart enough to slide it under one of the magazines on the table.
    "Hah!" She'd caught him looking and made a mad grab for the magazine, but not so fast she got to his list before him.
    He pulled the paper