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bale into place. “Your folks are good people, and your Ma was worried when he fell after the reception. I was just in the right place at the right time.”
    â€œWait, what?” Miya watched her father enter the house.
    He walked past her to grab another bale. “I guess he tripped. I’d stopped by to congratulate your sister on her wedding and your Ma asked me to look at his ankle. I figured she would have told you.”
    â€œShe didn’t.” Miya took a deep breath to ease the guilt clawing at her throat. She was home, and she still didn’t see what was right in front of her. “I should be thanking you.”
    He shook his head and adjusted his hat. “Don’t need it. I did what anyone would do. They’re my neighbors.”
    He knocked his gloves against his jeans a couple times before swiping at the hay clinging to his body. A few stray pieces clung to his hair and sweat-dampened skin, and she walked over to pluck them away. “Still. It’s not your responsibility and I want you to know I appreciate it.”
    He barely moved, at least it seemed that way. Must have been more than she realized since somehow, she found herself backed up against one of the tall support beams bracing the sagging rafters. A sinful smile creased his dust-streaked face. “It’s my pleasure.”
    The words rolled off his tongue straight into her stomach. She’d tangled with rattlers with less trepidation than she experienced at that moment. If he’d just look away, she might be able to catch her breath. At least enough to stop the dizzying pulse racking her veins. “Nick looks good.”
    â€œDoes he?” He settled one long arm above her head on the beam. “Hadn’t noticed. But then I ain’t been able to notice much since you’ve been home.”
    Nothing like spreading fresh honey on home-baked bread. Swearing off further sex with Shawn had been easy last night. But knowing he couldn’t stop thinking about her evened the odds. She’d spent the night riddled with images and sensations of his touch. Damn him.
    His scent enveloped her. Male, earthy, mingling with the natural scent of the hay. “You shouldn’t say things like that. I told you last night that I didn’t want—”
    â€œYou made it pretty clear what you wanted last night.” He jerked his gloves on and headed for the door. “I respect that, but it doesn’t change what I want.”
    She followed, unable to let the conversation end. She must have developed a sick sense of self-torture while living in New York. Otherwise, she’d let it go. They broke out into the bright sunlight and he hopped into the back of the truck. She shaded her eyes to watch him work. “And what exactly is it you want?”
    Several bales of hay landed at her feet before he leaned his elbows on the wooden side rails. “You. But for now, I’d settle for some help.” He glanced around. “Any idea where Nick got off to?”
    While she couldn’t ignore the spark his want caused in her stomach, she appreciated him letting it go. “Getting off is probably more like it.”
    His gaze cut her way and she could see the pulse jump at his throat. “Dirty mouth for such a pretty gal.”
    â€œI introduced him to Chloe today when we got here.” She shrugged. “What else would two gorgeous people be doing?”
    â€œGreat.” He slashed his hat off and ran a hand through his hair. “We’ve got this delivery and two others and he’s off getting a piece.”
    Absolutely refusing the image that tried to surface in her mind, she tied her shirt at her waist and walked to the end of the truck. It took a moment to climb up, but when she met his questioning glance, she shrugged. “It’s my farm too. Guess you’ll have to settle for me.”
    The slow, simple perusal of his gaze over her body should have lit the hay