The Rancher and His Unexpected Daughter by Sherryl Woods Page B

sighed and resigned himself to teaching Janet’s rebellious daughter yet another lesson. He glanced into Janet’s surprisingly amused eyes. “Youin?” he asked her as Mule shuffled the worn deck he’d pulled from his pocket.
    â€œNo, I think I’ll just sit here and enjoy the competition. I try real hard not to deliberately break the law, even when there’s not much chance of getting caught.”
    â€œAnd here I had you pegged for a risk-taker,” Harlan taunted.
    Color flooded her cheeks. “Depends on the risk and the odds,” she snapped right back. “Some are worth taking. Some aren’t.”
    He winked at her. “I’ll bet it’s going to be downright fascinating figuring out which are which.”
    She swallowed hard and turned away. “Rosa,” she called. “A beer, please.”
    That choked voice had Harlan smiling. “Throat dry?” he inquired.
    â€œParched,” she admitted, meeting his gaze evenly. She ran her tongue over her lips. “Absolutely parched.”
    Maybe the gesture was innocent. Maybe not. Harlan doubted he’d ever know for sure. One thing was certain, she could best him at his own game anytime. The sight of that pink tongue delicately sliding over those lush red lips turned his blood hotter than asphalt on a Texas summer afternoon.
    It also rattled his concentration so bad that he lost the first hand of poker to Jenny. So did Mule, which suggested that the thirteen-year-old just might know a little more about the game and gambling than he’d suspected.
    He glanced up from his second hand to find Janet’s gaze fixed on him. She leaned forward, which causedher sundress to dip a provocative inch or so, revealing just enough cleavage to make his own throat go dry.
    â€œMind if I take a look?” she inquired, placing her hand over his and turning his cards in her direction.
    Harlan sucked in a breath as every muscle in his body tightened at that innocent, cool touch. He glanced into her eyes and changed his mind. There was nothing innocent about that touch. She knew exactly what she was doing. He pulled his cards out of her grasp.
    â€œTrying to rattle me, darlin’?” he asked, amused by the blatant tactic.
    Her eyes widened. “Why would I do that?”
    â€œMaybe to protect Jenny’s allowance,” he suggested.
    She grinned and shrugged, clearly not the least bit guilty at having been caught. “Hey, us gals have to stick together.”
    Mule stood, his whole demeanor radiating indignation. “A man would get shot for cheatin’ at cards.”
    Harlan shook his head at his friend’s idea of saloon-style justice. “Sit down, old man. I believe Ms. Runningbear will behave from now on out.” He met her gaze. “Isn’t that right?”
    â€œI’ll be innocent as a lamb,” she promised. “Hands on the table. Eyes straight ahead. Lips locked.”
    â€œI can hardly wait to see how long that lasts,” Harlan commented.
    To her credit, she did exactly as she’d sworn she would. Unfortunately for him, she hadn’t mentioned a thing about any part of anatomy below her fingertips. Just as he was about to bet, he felt a knee nudgehis…and stay there. The heat that rose through him this time could have roasted marshmallows. Turned them to ashes, in fact.
    He found that he enjoyed the sensation a little too much to tattle on her. He folded and left Jenny and Mule to battle for the pot. Mule took it with a full house to Jenny’s two pairs. To his everlasting regret, Janet’s knee retreated to a safe distance. It was by far the most intriguing poker game he’d ever played in. So far, it had cost him five bucks.
    He considered the money an investment in his future with Janet. He was learning more about her with every hand of cards they played. He doubted she knew how much she was revealing about herself. Maybe she was a