Heaven's Kiss. Lois Richer

snorted as if to remind her that the past was hard to forget when the bank statements kept arriving.

      “I have to put it out of my mind for tonight, though. There’s that meeting at church about the dinner theater, and I’m in charge.”

      She’d agreed to help, believing that something other than the ranch and its debt baggage would be a relief to think about. Instead she’d encountered even more problems—when the director left town.

      “Can I tell you a secret, Duke? I wish someone else would have volunteered to direct. I’m so tired of being in charge.”

      Reality check. There was no one else. Not for the Double D and apparently not for the dinner theater. The onus fell on her.

      A whisper touch to his flanks sent Duke galloping across the tufted spring grass of her Colorado pasture as if chased by a pack of yapping dogs. Dani leaned over his neck and felt the wind whipping her hair as Duke galloped toward home—home for as long as she could hang onto it, at least.

      At the barn she took her time brushing the big horse down, added a scoop of oats to his feed, ensured his water was topped up. For herself, a quick wash in hot, soapy water, a tug of the brush through her mop of black shiny curls and a change in jeans was enough. Funny how those jeans always made her feel taller, especially when she put her boots on. And goodness knows Dani could use a boost in height. She just hated being short, and no matter how tall your boots were, five foot three was short.

      A routine check of the reflection in the mirror made her shrug. She’d do. Her lashes were thick enough to fringe her green eyes—“cat eyes,” Daddy had called them. Not that she’d bothered with mascara since coming home. Life was too short and there were too many things to do on the ranch to fuss about makeup. Besides, her lipstick never stayed on longer than it took to smudge, and she’d never mastered the art of powder or foundation.

      Dani stuck her tongue out at herself and giggled. Who cared what she looked like anyway? She was alone most of the time. Tonight she simply had a job to do.

      Her father’s ancient half-ton truck sped her off the ranch and into Blessing Township efficiently enough that Dani decided to ignore its belch of protest when she shut off the engine.

      “Don’t even think about it, Red.” She glared at one rusted fender. “The lead character’s taken a hike, the cook’s left for California, and I stupidly agreed to direct a play we’re to put on in four months—with no lead actor. On top of everything else, I’ve got to figure out my next move with the ranch. I have no time to tinker with you.”

      “Excuse me?”

      She whirled around, her eyes wide with shock. Nobody ever snuck up on Dani. Back in her school years, hard experience had taught teasing boys that she hated to be surprised. Maybe she’d lived down her reputation?

      “Yes?”

      Dani studied the handsome man before her, measured his sleepy brown eyes with their tiny fans of crinkles. He had the kind of smile you immediately trusted, which was exactly why she kept up her guard. Hadn’t she learned the hard way that nothing was ever as it seemed? This lean man in his crisply pressed clothes sent a rush of energy through her bloodstream. Suddenly she wished she’d bothered with the mascara.

      Just as quickly, Dani told herself to forget it. She had known a man as attractive as this one, and she’d been burned. It wouldn’t happen again.

      Who was he, anyway?

      Dani thought she knew everyone in town, but she didn’t know him. Did she? She took a second look at his uncombed mop of sandy hair and mentally shook her head. Nope. It was hardly likely she’d forget a man who looked as he did—loose-limbed, lanky, easygoing, as if he was comfortable in his skin and didn’t care what anyone else thought. In fact, he was so relaxed, he made her feel uptight.

      A flickering memory of a church potluck dinner given to welcome Blessing’s newest doctor… It was right after Dr. Darling’s accident. She’d been home for a weekend, she remembered. Dermot had wanted to leave church immediately to tend a sick calf, but everyone else had stayed. What was his name? Duke? she wondered, then nodded. Just like her horse.

      “Can I help you, Dr. Duke?” she asked.

      “Uh, actually it’s Luc. Lucas Lawrence. But you did get the other part right. I am a doctor.” He grinned, then his eyes widened. “Have you hurt yourself?”

      “No.” Why would he ask that? Dani followed his glance down, saw the jagged tear across her knee. Oh yeah. The rip. Well, mending was not her forte, even if she’d had time. “Thanks, but I’m fine. Just running a little late.”

      She turned, headed for the church. Behind her, his feet rattled on the pebbled surface. He was following her? Dani frowned, faced him.

      “Maybe I can help you?” she offered, suspicion evident in her voice. She never used to be that way, but lately, well—

      The doctor shook his head, grinned.

      “I don’t think so, but thanks anyway. I’ve been here long enough to know where the church is.” He waited for her to move forward, and when she didn’t, he walked around her, moved up the sidewalk and pulled open the church door. Half bending at the waist, he waved a hand as if to usher her inside. “After you, madam.”

      A decidedly English accent.

      “Thanks.” Dani stepped through the doorway, then stopped, her mind busy. Dr. Duke—no Luc—was perfect for the part. Tall, handsome—in a mussed sort of way. He spoke clearly, enunciated his words without drawling the vowels. “Say that again, please,” she requested. “With the accent.”

      His eyes widened, but he obediently repeated the phrase.

      “Excellent. You’ll make a perfect Inspector Merrihew.” She lowered her voice, leaned forward. “I’m pretty sure the part’s yours, but please don’t say anything. Not just yet, anyway.”

      “I beg your pardon? What part is mine?” Dr. Luc jerked to a halt, blinked at her, his brilliant smile faltering. His chocolate-brown eyes lost their sleepy look, darkened to a concerned brown-black; his body lost that slouchy appearance.

      “Shh.” She checked over each of her shoulders, then leaned toward him. “Inspector Merrihew. The tryouts are tonight. Isn’t that why you’re here?”

      “Uh, no.”

      Dani frowned. Big Ed Warner wanted that part and wanted it badly. But Big Ed could in no way be made over into an English police inspector, not even if they pried away his ten-gallon hat, goaded his size fifteens from their hand-tooled cowboy boots, and raced him around town until he lost his paunch. Big Ed was a cowboy, plain and simple—a John Wayne wannabe.

      “The thing is, I— Uh, that is, I was hoping I could help—”

      “You can help. Accepting this part would be the biggest help, believe me.” Dani took pity on his confusion. “Go ahead and grab a seat in the fellowship hall, Doc. I’ve got to get something from the pastor, then I’ll be there.”

      “But— But—”

      “Don’t worry. You’ll do fine.” Dani tossed an encouraging smile over her shoulder, then strode toward the office, hoping she was right about this new guy. A doctor should be able to act. Didn’t they have to hide their emotions when they gave a patient bad news? This Lucas Lawrence might just be the answer she’d prayed for.

      The pastor was out on a hospital call, but, as promised, he’d left the fax from the orphanage officials lying on his desk. Dani’s eyes widened at the dollar figure scrawled across the bottom. Total cost for renovations needed before we can reopen. Tell Dani we’d love to see her again. There’s lots of work here.

      Dani brushed away the tear before it could drop. Two short-term mission trips to Honduras after a terrible hurricane devastated the area had left her appreciative of everything she’d once taken for granted. She’d worked hard to accomplish much in those one-month