Marrying O'malley. Elizabeth August

the woman and the woman looks after the man. Together they make a whole.”

      “I feel perfectly whole on my own.”

      “Evening,” a male voice drawled, as its owner rounded the corner of the house.

      Startled, Sarita gasped.

      “Guess I forgot to mention that Wolf is going to be boarding with us,” her grandfather said.

      “I was driving by your place to take a look at my property when I saw the Room for Rent sign,” Wolf said, mounting the porch.

      Sarita stared at him. “You and me under the same roof?”

      “I know we used to get on each other nerves as kids but we’re adults now. I figure we can keep our tempers in check.”

      “Sure, no problem.” She knew she’d sound childish if she voiced any doubts, but already the thought of his continued presence was causing an uneasiness within. He’s right, grow up, she ordered herself.

      “I told him he could have kitchen privileges as long as he cleans up after himself. And he’s paying extra to have his evening meal provided,” Luis spoke up. “I warned him it wouldn’t be anything fancy. I’ve got a stew cooking for tonight. Figured you could make some corn bread.”

      “Corn bread, sure,” she managed levelly.

      Wolf nodded his approval. “Stew and corn bread sound great.”

      Getting over the shock of seeing him, Sarita began to wonder how much of the conversation between her grandfather and her he’d overheard. Voices traveled on the arid air. Her shoulders stiffened with pride. So what if he knew she was on her way to spinsterhood? Even if he hadn’t overheard, he’d have guessed it soon enough. He knew she was twenty-eight. And it was obvious she wasn’t married. If he stuck around, he’d soon learn she didn’t have any prospects, either. “I’ll go check on the stew.”

      After giving the stew a quick stir, Sarita could not keep herself from doing a little eavesdropping at the living room window. Wolf had settled into the chair beside her grandfather on the front porch, and the men were discussing the weather and whether it would be a hard winter or not. Self-mockery spread over her face as she admitted to herself that she’d been afraid they’d been discussing her. You’re the last subject in the world that would interest Wolf O’Malley, her inner voice chided.

      Leaving the men on their own, she busied herself in the guest room, making certain it was dusted and fresh linens were on the bed. A single leather satchel lay on the floor, still packed. Staring down at it, she recalled that once during her teenage years she’d found herself unexpectedly attracted to him and visualized him suddenly looking her way, seeing her as appealing and coming to call.

      “Now that was a moment of lunacy,” she grumbled to herself. Scowling at the bag, she hoped he would change his mind and seek other quarters.

      “There’s nothing in there that will bite.”

      Jerking her gaze to the door, she saw Wolf standing there, watching her from behind a shuttered mask. “I was just getting your room into shape,” she managed evenly.

      He continued to stand in the doorway, blocking her escape. “If you’re worried that I’ll harm you or your grandfather, I promise you I won’t.”

      She frowned in confusion. “That thought never crossed my mind.”

      He scowled with disbelief. “I know the stories Kath erine spread about me. Everyone in town thinks I pushed her down those stairs.”

      “Not everyone. I never did. And neither did my father or grandfather.”

      His expression remained skeptical.

      Feeling the need to prove her words, she added, “It’s not that we didn’t think she could have provoked you into it, it’s just that if you had done it, you would have admitted it.”

      Bitterness etched itself into his features. “It’s a shame my father didn’t have the same faith in me.”

      “From what I’ve heard, Katherine can be very persuasive.”

      Purpose replaced the bitterness on his face. “This time she’ll learn that she’s met her match.”

      Sarita suddenly was worried for him. She’d seen Katherine in action and knew the woman could be a formidable foe. “Be careful,” she warned.

      “I plan to,” Wolf assured her.

      She found herself considering offering her aid, should he need it, and recalled the last time she’d tried to befriend him. No sense in embarrassing herself a second time, she decided. “I should get back to the kitchen.” Edging toward the door, she gave him space to move out of her way.

      Stepping aside, Wolf let her pass. As she headed down the hall, he watched her. Earlier in the day, Bradford had offered him a room at his place and he’d accepted. But when he’d driven out to the land that had brought him back, he’d passed the Lopez property and seen the Room for Rent sign on their gate. His curiosity still piqued by his early-morning encounter with Sarita at the cemetery, he’d called Bradford and told him that his plans had changed.

      He frowned as he started to unpack. Sarita Lopez wasn’t pleased to have him there. That was obvious. So why the visit to his grave? Her explanation that she thought someone should remember him seemed lame considering their history. “Joe always said trying to read a woman’s mind is harder than figuring reasons for God to have created mosquitoes,” Wolf muttered under his breath. “And he’s right.”

      His expression turned grim. “Except where my stepmother is concerned.” He understood her very well. She was spoiled and selfish and would use any means to achieve her aims.

      He smiled to himself as he put his clothes in the bureau. He’d come prepared to fight for the land that was his. Now there would be no need. Not only did he have the land, but a chunk of his father’s wealth would be his along with a percentage of the family business. And he planned to make his presence felt.

      The slamming of a car door caught his attention.

      “Where is he?” a familiar female voice demanded.

      Wolf strode down the hall, halting a few feet from the front door as Katherine pushed open the screen door and entered. “So you are alive.” Her gaze raked over him. “I was in Houston when Greg called to tell me the news. I had to come see for myself. ”

      “Greg Pike?” Wolf spoke in an easy drawl, keeping his posture relaxed as if her presence was of little concern. “Bradford did tell me you’d hired him to be your lawyer. Bradford said you even tried to have him removed as executor of my father’s will and Pike put in his place.”

      Fury flashed in Katherine’s eyes. “Bradford Dillion was your father’s lawyer. He has never had my best interests at heart.”

      “Bradford Dillion is an honorable man.”

      Katherine shrugged as if that meant nothing to her, then her expression turned icy. “I didn’t come here to discuss Bradford Dillion. How much is it going to cost me to get you out of my life?”

      “I’m planning on staying. My roots are here.”

      Katherine’s cheeks flushed with rage. Issuing a snort of disgust, she pivoted and strode out of the house, ignoring both Sarita standing in the living room doorway and Luis who had risen and followed in Katherine’s wake to the screened door.

      “So you’re gonna build yourself a home on Willow’s land?” Luis asked as Katherine’s car sped away.

      Wolf shrugged. “Haven’t decided what I’m going to do yet. But there’s no reason for Katherine to know that.”

      Sarita eased back into the living room out of view of the men and drew a long, calming breath. She had tensed during the confrontation between Katherine and Wolf, her body readying itself to intercede if Katherine tried to harm him. Shaken by the