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however, he thought, make a fine bed partner.
    Lucas had gotten out of a lot of tight situations by using his head, and he was too smart to let any of his thoughts show. He knew that if he even hinted at anything sexual between them right now she’d have that shotgun pointed at him faster than he could blink. Let her get used to him first, accept him as a friend, then they’d become really
close
friends. So he kept his face blank as he turned the conversation to his original reason for being there.
    â€œYou’ve gotten by okay because so far all you’ve had to deal with are a few liquored-up cowhands with nothing more than hoorahing on their minds. But let a man come up on you without all the yelling and shooting to warn you, and he’d be on you before you could get to your shotgun. Or a bunch of them could decide to get even with you; there’s no way you could guard both doors and every window. It’s dangerous for you out here,” he said persuasively. “With the money you could get for this land you could set yourself up in town in any kind of business you wanted, and you’d be safe. Think about it. I’m willing to give you more than a fair price.”
    â€œI don’t have to think about it,” she said. “I don’t want to sell. This is my home; I like it here. I tend my garden and sell vegetables in town and get along just fine. If I’d wanted to sell, I could have sold to Mr. Bellamy a long time ago.”
    He frowned. “Bellamy’s offered to buy you out?”
    â€œSeveral times.”
    â€œYou should have taken his offer. You’re a woman alone.” He didn’t like the idea of Bellamy owning Angel Creek, but he was serious about the potential danger she was in. A good-looking woman living by herself like this was just asking for trouble from any no-good passing through.
    But Dee only shrugged, dismissing his warnings. “So? I’d be alone no matter where I went, so I might as well stay here.”
    â€œYou’d have other people close by if you lived in town, in case you needed help. You’d be safe instead of working yourself half to death out here.”
    â€œAnd just what would I do in town?” she demanded, getting to her feet and placing her empty bowl in the big wash bowl. “How would I earn a living? The town doesn’t need another dress shop, or another hat shop, or another general store, and the money from selling the land wouldn’t last forever. There’s nothing I could do except maybe take one of the rooms over the saloon, and somehow I don’t think I’d be a success at that.”
    Luke was jolted at the thought of her working as a, whore. No, he couldn’t see it either. She was too proud and independent. A man didn’t want a challenge when he went to a whorehouse; he wanted simple, unthinking relief. He pictured her taking her clothes off, her eyes flashing green heat in a dim room, and his blood started pounding through his body. Mounting this filly would take a strong man, but it would be worth it when he was locked deep inside her, feeling her heat, riding her hard and fast. Only a strong man would be able to handle her, keep her satisfied.
    He was a strong man, and he liked a challenge. His earlier thoughts hardened into determination. He was going to teach Dee Swann that she needed a man for one thing, at least.
    But because he was smart, he didn’t say anything on the subject or push her anymore to sell her land. He thanked her politely for the meal, offered his aid if she ever needed it, tipped his hat, and left like a gentleman. He didn’t feel the least bit gentlemanly, though, as he rode back toward the cut over the mountain. He felt tense and alive, his senses alert, his loins stirring with anticipation. No, there was nothing gentlemanly about his thoughts or his intentions; in both he was purely male, scenting female and wanting her. The only thing was,