Wild Nevada Ride by Sandy Sullivan

gnarled hand in his direction and he decided he didn’t want to deal with the wrath of Elaine Jamieson, so he walked in her direction.
    “Come here young man,” she demanded when he neared.
    “Yes, ma’am.” He tried flashing his dimples in hopes she would soften a bit and not rake him over the coals, but it didn’t appear to be working very well. She pointed to the bench beside her, indicating he’d better sit down.
    “I don’t believe we’ve met. I know you came with Mark, but I’ve never seen you at any of our functions before. What is your name?”
    “Justin Wilder, ma’am.”
    “Justin. Nice strong name.”
    “I believe my mother thought so, yes.” He tried grinning again.
    “Don’t you go flashing those gorgeous dimples at me. I’m immune to your charms, but I believe my little Kat is not.”
    He dropped his gaze and blushed under his tan.
    “You must be a strong man to tame her, but I think it’s not above your abilities, Mr. Wilder.”
    “Call me Justin, please.”
    “All right, Justin.” His eyes met hers again and the wisdom of ninety years shined bright in her gaze. “I’ve seen a lot of men come and go in her life. Most couldn’t or wouldn’t stand up to her and her stubborn pride as well as her temper. Trust me when I say she has her father’s Irish stubbornness.”
    He chuckled. “Yes, ma’am, she does.”
    “How did you two meet? She hasn’t mentioned you before, but by your interactions today, I would guess you know each other rather well.”
    He spent the next hour telling Katrina’s grandmother about how they met, and he knew the woman saw right through him with her piercing stare. Even though he didn’t give her the details of what had happened between them, he had a feeling she knew.
    “I would say, you need to decide what you want from my grand-daughter then. You seem to care for her.”
    “I don’t know about that. I mean we don’t know each other well enough for anyone to say I care about her.”
    “It doesn’t take long for feelings to take root in someone’s heart. If you want more than just a short term relationship with her, you need to build on those feelings.”
    “I appreciate the advice, ma’am.”
    “I’ll warn you though young man, don’t hurt my granddaughter, or you will deal with me.”
    “I’ll keep it in mind.”
    “Now off with you. This old woman is getting tired, and I think you have some making up to do with Katrina.”
    He smiled and stood. “It’s been nice talking with you.”
    “You are a charmer, Justin.”
    He bowed at the waist and turned to find the one woman who, in the short time he’d known her, had managed to invade his thoughts on a daily basis.

    * * * *

    She watched the exchange between her grandmother and Justin from her spot near the waterfall. Not able to hear the conversation, she almost shuddered at what her very loveable, but nosy grandmother must have been telling him. He had been smiling and laughing while they talked, and even though he hadn’t been looking her way, the magnetism of the man drew her attention like a moth to flame. Damn it!
    When he stood and turned in her direction, she didn’t want him to catch her watching him, so she quickly turned around to face the water.
    “Katrina,” he whispered softly when he stopped behind her.
    She turned to face him with a questioning arch of her eyebrow.
    “I wanted to say goodbye.”
    “You’re leaving?” She sounded disappointed, even to her own ears.
    “Yeah. I’ve got things to do at my place, but I needed to apologize too.”
    “Apologize for what?”
    He ran his hand through his hair. “For what happened earlier. Things got out of control, and I’m sorry.” She dropped her gaze from his until he put his fingers under her chin, forcing her to look at him again. “I’m not apologizing for wanting you. I’m just sorry things can’t go the way we would like them to.”
    “You’re awfully sure of yourself.”
    He smiled, and the dimples in