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sharing a long-term joke. Marie unexpectedly felt very much the outsider. With a little pang of jealousy, she wondered what it would be like to belong in a tight knit family group. Watching the comfortable interaction of the family with interest, she reminded herself it wasn’t worth getting upset over. She’d be back on the job in a few weeks, and this would be nothing more than a pleasant memory on the lonesome, sleepless nights.
     
    * * * *
     
    Walter proved to be right. His wife’s fried chicken tasted excellent, but the biscuits were what finally did Marie in. She slathered them with butter moaning softly a couple of times as she let the warm, home baked bread send her into a near orgasm.
    “These biscuits are wonderful.” Marie paused, thinking if someone had told her the woman’s name, she couldn’t recall it.
    Reno quickly came to her rescue. “I forget that everyone in the world doesn’t know Sallie. This is Sallie Eagleman, Walter’s wife, our adopted mother, and the best cook in Wyoming.”
    He reached over to give her an affectionate hug. “Sallie, this is Marie Maxwell. She’s been living in Paris for a few years and now she needs to hide out on the ranch for a little while.”
    Marie could tell by the look on Sallie’s face she didn’t miss the unspoken implication of Reno’s words. The elderly lady gave Marie a motherly smile. “You’ll be safe here with my boys.”
    Marie thought that statement was debatable, but she smiled at her, nodding her agreement. Marie watched Reno glance over at Jack and the two of them shared a private smirk before returning their attention to the heaping plates of food. That look said it all. Marie wondered how many times they had caught her staring at them. How many times she’d been so lost in her erotic daydreams, she hadn’t heard one of them ask her a question.
    After dinner, Marie offered to help with the dishes, but Sallie shooed her away. “You just make yourself at home, Marie. Do a little exploring and get used to the surroundings. It makes things a lot easier when you’re away from home if you feel comfortable with a place.”
    Marie didn’t want to feel too comfortable. In fact, it would have been a lot better if she were itching to get back to civilization, but she kept those thoughts to herself.

Chapter Five
     
    Marie was on the porch swing drinking a cup of coffee when Jack led a gleaming black stallion around the side of the house. He patted the horse’s neck, murmuring encouragement as it danced skittishly, tugging at the reins.
    Stopping in front of her, Jack gave a soft laugh when the horse yanked his head back and whinnied, obviously impatient to be off on their ride. “I’m taking Ranger out for a run. Reno’s staying here with you. Don’t leave the house without letting him know.”
    “I won’t.”
    Marie watched Jack saddle up, swallowing as his powerful legs straddled the horse. He eased into the saddle with a comfortable grace, holding the reins in one hand while resting his left hand on his thigh. “I’ll be back soon.”
    She nodded, her heart doing odd little flips as she watched his body sway in the saddle like an extension of the stallion as the powerful beast danced and sidestepped with an excess of energy. Letting Ranger have his head, Jack loosened the reins and the horse galloped off like it had wings. She watched him ride out of sight, thinking it was going to be a very long night with that image burned into her mind.
    Marie felt restless. Too many thoughts flooded her mind. She wasn’t used to the quiet, or the slow pace of nothing to occupy her time. For three years, she lived in a whirlwind of deceit, society functions, and criminal activities. She’d become an adrenaline junkie. If danger didn’t find her soon, she’d be forced to go looking for it. Fortunately, she didn’t have to go far. She didn’t even have to move from her seat on the swing. Jack Reno stepped out the door giving her a killer smile