I’m looking for the same thing. Perhaps I might ride with you ladies?”
“Do I know you?” The realtor wrinkled her forehead.
“Your partner rented my brother and I the Turner cottage for the month. We like the land, and thought we might buy here.”
She pushed her hair back and smiled. “Wonderful. We’re always pleased to have new neighbors.” She turned to Rae. “Do you mind if he goes with us?”
* * * *
Rae studied the man. He must be at least six three or six four. He’d removed his hat, and his hair was blond. The bright color shone in the overhead light. His blue plaid shirt stretched across broad shoulders and tight abs. Snug jeans hugged lean hips and long legs. For some reason, she didn’t want to look directly into his face. He worried her. Being around him made her hackles rise, as the old saying went. Still, she had no concrete reason to refuse.
“I guess not.” Rae finally answered the woman’s question.
“I’m Gayle Hutson.” The realtor walked around Rae and put out her hand.
“Garth Sherwyn. Pleased to meet you, Miss Hutson.”
“Please call me Gayle.”
The woman wasn’t very subtle. Her blinking eyelashes and cheesy smile made it evident to Rae and certainly to the man that she was flirting. It irritated Rae. She started to say she’d come back another day when he turned and looked directly into her eyes.
He had an aristocratic face with an aquiline nose. His sky-blue eyes seemed to search into her soul. She tried to look away, but couldn’t. Her face heated with the unexpected desire which had flared to life in her core. What was happening to her?
“And what is your name?” His powerful voice rolled along every nerve ending.
She tried to break the spell. “Rae,” she said, leaving off the rest.
A whimsical smile touched his sensuous lips. “Only Rae?”
“I hardly see the necessity of full introductions. We will never see each other again.”
“Perhaps, and perhaps not.” He turned back to Gayle. “Is there a restaurant where I might take Rae to have lunch and get better acquainted?”
Rae wanted to laugh except none of this was a laughing matter. Gayle obviously wanted to go with them. She’d glanced at the door as though hoping her next appointment wouldn’t show. Rae was sure he knew the realtor wanted to be included.
She knew for certain when he added, “If your appointment doesn’t show you could join us.”
Gayle brightened. “I may be able to. She’s already ten minutes late. But you two go ahead. Cross the street and go to the left one block. You can’t miss the Sampson place. They have good home cooking.”
“Thank you. Rae, will you join me?”
As if she had a choice. She didn’t want to make a scene, and he knew it. His bright eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Thank you. I am hungry. Hopefully you’ll be able to join us, Miss Hutson.”
Garth put his arm out. “Shall we?”
She didn’t want to touch him. All her nerves were tingling, and sending off warning bells. His eyebrow arched as though questioning her reaction. Gayle frowned at her.
Taking a deep breath, Rae said, “Of course.” But she walked past his arm and went out the door. He followed close behind. His musky male scent blew around her. At the door of the restaurant, he reached by her and pushed the door open, then put his hand at the small of her back to escort her inside.
A jolt shook her body, not unlike Cad’s touch. She glanced at him, and his face was right there. He was so close if she leaned a half inch their lips would touch. She thought she saw a flash of fire in his eyes. They’d turned a silvery blue. She licked her dry lips and saw the flash again.
It took all her will power to turn and walk quickly out of his reach. A tired, thin-looking waitress headed their way with menus.
“Come with me. We have a booth toward the back.”
Rae silently groaned. Garth chuckled. How did he know? She hadn’t made a sound. When she slid into the booth,