The Rancher's Cinderella Bride. Sara Orwig

We like the same things—symphony, opera, contemporary art. His folks were giving him a terrible time about seeing Tanya and we talked about that. I just didn’t realize what it would lead to and suddenly he was talking a marriage of convenience.”

      “Lesson learned there, I suppose.”

      “There’s no danger of our families trying to push you and me into a marriage of convenience. Actually, this ought to set family tongues wagging about us going out together and get Justin out of the conversation.”

      “This fake engagement sure as hell isn’t going to endear me to any of your family.”

      “I’m sorry about that, but they don’t like any Callahans anyway, so it isn’t like you’re losing their friendship.”

      “Somehow, your logic doesn’t cheer me,” he said and she smiled.

      It was after midnight when a number ended and Gabe spun her around, catching her and pulling her up against him. She looked up into his eyes and her laughter faded, her grin giving way to a sultry smile.

      He gazed back and took her hand. “That look should convince the most doubting spectator. If I didn’t know better, I’d be on fire now,” he remarked.

      “Well, I’m thankful you didn’t laugh because that definitely kills the effect.”

      “What I felt wasn’t laughter,” he said. The smoldering look he gave her made her tingle, which surprised her. How shocking that she found him so appealing.

      “I think we can leave now,” he said, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close against his side.

      She slipped her arm around his waist, looking up at him and smiling, as if they were about to go home and make love. She hoped that’s what others thought.

      “That was fun, Gabe. You’re perfect for this. You would convince anybody that we’re a couple.”

      “Anybody who doesn’t really know you,” he remarked drily. “Otherwise, I think there will be suspicion.”

      “No, there won’t,” she assured him, supremely happy with the way the evening had gone and looking up at him as if she thought he was the most adorable man on earth. At the moment that wasn’t even pretend.

      Gabe drove to her small home in Downly in an older part of town with tall shade trees. Her bright front light illuminated the porch, the surrounding flower beds, the steps, the walk and half of her front yard.

      “That’s some porch light you have. Your house hasn’t been broken into, has it?”

      “Heavens, no. I just like a light when I come home. It’s cheerful.”

      He shook his head. “It’s like the one at the Hansons’ lumber yard at night. Well, I’d say tonight was a success.”

      “Definitely. Next I think we should hit the country clubs in Downly and in Dallas. I’ll get dressed up so I look more like the ladies you normally take out.”

      He laughed. “I don’t think old Justin stands a chance.” After parking his pickup, Gabe stepped out to open her door.

      She waited, hoping someone she knew would drive by and see them. Getting out of the pickup, she looked around. “I don’t see anyone. My neighbors aren’t the curious type and no one’s ever on this street. Nonetheless, just in case someone is watching, I’ll hang on to you, and you can put your arm around me,” she said as he slipped his arm around her waist.

      “This is a unique experience,” he said with laughter in his voice. “Even my first date didn’t tell me what to do and that was fifth grade.”

      Meg shook his arm playfully. “I’m not telling you what to do—at least not the entire evening,” she added as they climbed the porch steps and turned to face each other. “Thank you, thank you. I am indebted to you and tonight was a roaring success,” she said, smiling up at him as his hands rested on her waist.

      “Meg, this night is not over yet,” he drawled in a deep voice. He glanced around. “I feel like I’m onstage right now, under a spotlight.” He looked up at her porch light. “I take it Justin doesn’t mind the light.”

      “There is absolutely no reason for him to. Besides, we haven’t gone out together in Downly.”

      “Are you going to let me kiss you?” Gabe asked, his blue eyes twinkling. “I don’t think I’ve asked that question since my first date, either.”

      Knowing he was enjoying himself by teasing her, she smiled. “Yes, I will, but I’m not going to bed with you.”

      “Now you’ve flung another challenge at me that I’m going to have to deal with,” he said, flirting with her.

      Still smiling at him, she shook her head. “That was no challenge. It’s an established, guaranteed fact.”

      “Oh, Meg, sweetie,” he drawled, taking her hand and stroking it lightly while his eyes still sparkled, “you’ve done it now. I can’t wait for our next date. My reputation with the ladies may be on the line here.”

      “Don’t be ridiculous. If you slept with me, no one would ever know it except the two of us. I know you don’t talk about your affairs of the heart,” she said, trying to keep from laughing and also aware that his light caresses were stirring surprising sizzles. How could Gabe cause any sizzles? He had always been like a brother. She gazed more intently at him, thinking that brother image was being melted away by every stroke on her hand.

      “Now, how can you possibly know about my love life?” he asked.

      “Word gets around about you.”

      “Well, what do you know—you’ve been discussing me with others.”

      “Don’t flatter yourself. I may not be the one bringing up your name, you know.”

      He laughed. “I better back off right now. I know you well enough to know when my teasing is getting to you.”

      “You don’t know zip about the grown-up me. We haven’t spent much time together since I was a teenager.”

      He didn’t respond to that remark. Instead, he was focused on something else. “Let’s go back to my question.”

      She knew the one he meant. Are you going to let me kiss you.

      He tilted her chin up. “We’re in a spotlight. Just in case anyone observes, let’s make this look like the real thing.”

      “No one in this neighborhood will observe us,” she said, amused, curious about kissing him.

      Gabe slipped his arm around her waist. “You know, Meg, we’ve never kissed,” he said, looking into her eyes.

      She gazed back into vivid blue eyes that seemed to turn her insides to jelly. Gabe really was a good-looking man. When his gaze shifted to her mouth, to her amazement flutters tickled her insides.

      He leaned closer, slowly, and her heart beat faster. When his mouth brushed hers, heat engulfed her. She closed her eyes, winding her arm around his neck. His arms tightened around her, drawing her against his hard length as his mouth covered hers and his tongue stroked hers.

      She felt in free fall, her insides clenching while her heart pounded. She forgot everything except his kiss, his arms holding her tightly and their bodies pressed together. Tingles raced through her and she moaned softly with pleasure, sinking into a kiss that set her ablaze. Sliding her hand across his shoulders, she trailed her fingers over his nape and into his thick hair.

      She had no idea how long they kissed. She only knew she didn’t want to stop. When he finally raised his head, he gazed silently into her eyes and she felt as if she were seeing him for the first time in her life.

      “Wow,” she whispered. “Now I know why the ladies like you,” she said, trying to keep the moment light though she was stunned how his kiss had ignited such desire in