Second Chance At The Ranch. Maxine Morrey

the right girl yet.’

      Hero considered that. ‘From what I’ve heard, you’ve conducted plenty of research in that department.’

      Again, Nick saw the eyes twinkle. She was enjoying this. As much as he was? It was hard to tell.

      ‘Research can be a very valuable tool.’

      ‘This is true.’

      ‘Want to help me with said research?’ He flashed a grin, enjoying this rare, unguarded version of Hero.

      She laughed. ‘No, but thank you for offering me the chance to take part in such a prestigious and vital project.’

      ‘No worries.’

      Silence fell between them for a few moments, but it was companionable. From the open windows, they heard the DJ transition one song seamlessly into another. She turned to the sound, then looked back at Nick, a question in her eyes. She didn’t really want to go back in. Not just yet. She wasn’t even comfortable at parties where she did know lots of people. When you barely knew anyone and were also receiving openly questionable looks from certain females, the discomfort tended to grow. Nick understood.

      ‘Got somewhere else to be?’

      A pause. His companion shook her head. The movement was almost imperceptible, but its ripples caused the shining locks to sway gently, catching the light of the outdoor lamp. Nick smiled softly at her, and Hero returned it. She shifted on the bench. The back slats were uncomfortable on her back. Keeping hold of her hand, Nick ran his other arm around her waist and shifted her body until she rested on him, rather than the bench. Much better.

      ‘Truth is, I thought I had found the right one,’ he said after a few moments.

      Hero waited.

      ‘Turned out I was wrong.’

      When he said nothing more, she spoke. ‘What happened? If you don’t mind me asking?’

      He didn’t mind her asking. Strange really, because until this moment, he would have thought that Hero Scott would be the last person on earth he’d open up to.

      As close as they were together, Hero felt the deep breath he took and then exhaled slowly as his mind worked.

      ‘I don’t know. To be honest, I thought everything was fine. I thought we were happy. We’d talked about getting married and she seemed stoked. I bought the ring, did the whole down-on-one-knee thing, she accepted, said she couldn’t be happier. Then, next thing I know, I’m walking in on her in bed with her boss. Stupidly, I’d never questioned all that overtime she was doing.’

      ‘Oh, Nick! I’m so sorry.’ She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. ‘I would never have said anything if …’ She trailed off and looked awkward. Nick laid his cheek against her head. She felt the smile as he returned the reassuring squeeze.

      ‘Don’t be daft. It’s fine. I didn’t know if Juliet had told you, but I guess not.’

      ‘No! No, she hadn’t!’ She pulled herself up and twisted so that she could see him. He was surprised to see she looked genuinely upset. ‘Nick, I know you think I’m rather cold, but I’d never make light of something like that … of you being hurt.’

      One hand gently cupped her face, the expression in his eyes soft and warm under the low light.

      ‘I know you wouldn’t. And just for the record, I don’t think you’re cold.’

      She smiled at him almost shyly. Their initial distrust and differences had been put aside – at least for the moment. It seemed so obvious to her now. What she first thought was conceit and arrogance wasn’t that at all. It was part of a defence mechanism, a shield. Creating an armour against the world was hardly something she could criticise him about when she spent so much time, perhaps too much, behind her own. She could see, feel, that it was a relief for both of them to have a break from it, even for a just a few moments, revealing themselves to each other, if no one else.

      ‘So,’ Hero began, ‘you do actually have a fear of commitment, just not your own.’

      He thought about that for a moment, then gave her a lopsided smile. ‘I guess so.’

      She nodded, understanding, empathising, before breaking eye contact with him. Nick drew another deep breath before pulling her back closer. Without thinking, Hero let her body follow, feeling the warmth of him through the fine material of her gown. His slow, steady breaths soothed her. She knew she was on dangerous ground. But right at this moment, she didn’t care. Right now, it felt as though this was exactly where she should be. Resting her hands on the warm, muscular arm that encircled her waist, she didn’t need – didn’t want – that mask she usually wore. And as she felt his lips softly brush her hair, Hero closed her eyes and let the moment envelop her.

      ‘You tired?’ Nick’s deep tones drifted close to her ear.

      ‘A little,’ she replied. The truth was she could so easily stay here with this man, feeling his strength and his comfort, and not move for the next several days. It had been a long, although beautiful, day. Emotions had run high and Juliet had burst into tears on more than one occasion, especially with Hero. Hero’s eyes, as always, remained dry but Juliet knew it wasn’t because she didn’t care. Crying just wasn’t something she did. Not for a long time. She’d smiled as the ceremony came to its climax and everyone cheered, welcoming Juliet into her new family and her new life. Again, Hero had smiled. Smiling was the only way to stop the panic rising in her. Suddenly she felt alone. Out here in this land where their father had been born but that had meant nothing to either of his daughters. Now, to one it meant everything, and Hero felt cast adrift.

      ‘What’s up?’

      ‘Nothing.’ She closed her eyes again, pushing away the panic that had begun to creep towards her again. Her hands tightened almost imperceptibly on Nick’s arm.

      ‘So why don’t I believe you?’

      She shrugged against him.

      Feeling the soft kiss on her hair, her breaths gradually slowed. What was it with this man who could make her mad one moment and chase away her demons in the next.

      ‘You know your sister is worried about you.’ His words were a statement, not a question.

      ‘I know. She doesn’t need to be though. I’m fine.’

      ‘She thinks you work too hard.’

      ‘I like keeping busy.’

      ‘There’s keeping busy, and there’s back-to-back assignments.’

      Hero drew in a breath and let it out slowly, concentrating on the glittering stars and the warmth of Nick’s body behind her.

      ‘A girl has to pay the rent,’ she said, trying to lighten the mood, not to mention deflect the enquiry.

      ‘I don’t mean to be nosy, but I’m pretty sure you’ve probably got that covered.’

      ‘Maybe. But I like to be sure.’

      ‘Why do I get the feeling there’s more to this?’ Nick asked, getting his answer as he felt Hero’s body tense within his arms.

      ‘Of course there isn’t. I just like to be sure I’m financially prepared and independent. I know that’s still quite a radical view to take in some parts, but that’s what happens when you invite outsiders into your world.’

      Nick smiled. ‘Not me. I’m all for that.’

      ‘Good to hear.’

      ‘So, what do you do to relax?’

      ‘I …’ What did she do to relax? She spent time with Anya shopping, and visiting restaurants. She liked to read but the only times she ever seemed to be able to sit down with a book was on a long-haul flight like the one that had brought her here, although even then she never seemed to get far as fatigue overtook her and sleep won over reading.

      ‘What