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wanted to add some bad words aimed at himself. “Thanks. I would like to check the fences. And thanks for keeping an eye on the place while I’ve been gone.”
    Another shrug. “Eliza does more than I do. I have a theory that she takes care of this place because it’s her way of taking care of you. Nonsexually, of course. Although it appears she’s working on the sexual part now that you’re home to stay.”
    â€œHow the hell did we go from fences back to sex?” Kane snarled.
    Lucky jabbed him with his elbow. “It always goes back to sex. If you’re thinking you can resist Eliza, then you’re not thinking straight.”
    That was probably true, but Kane didn’t want to discuss Eliza and sex in the same sentence. Especially after that stubble-irritating kiss they’d just shared.
    â€œEliza and I can come clean after the wedding,” Kane explained. “After that, I’ll have time to get my footing. And it’s not as if I don’t have things to do. I’ll be so busy rebuilding this ranch that I won’t have time to even think about Eliza.”
    As if on cue, both horses whinnied.
    Lucky grinned. “You can lie to yourself. Lie to me. Heck, you can even lie to Eliza. But horses know bullshit when they smell it.”

Chapter Four
    There were a bunch of hungover people at the dinner table, and Eliza was one of them. The other three were Dax, Violet and Kane. The only people without the obvious signs of overindulgence were her mom and dad.
    In hindsight, it had been a really bad idea to plan a family dinner the night after her sister’s bachelorette party. Especially when that party hadn’t ended until the wee hours of the morning.
    And especially since there was a secret dangling over her head.
    The relationship ruse.
    Because of it, she had to be on her best behavior and not let anything slip. Kane was on the same high alert while seated right next to her at the dinner table. But they were the sole ones who knew that the long, lingering looks he kept giving her were as fake as the smiles Eliza kept doling out. She was happy for her sister and Dax, but once they were married and off on their honeymoon, there’d be no looks from Kane. No kisses on his porch.
    That wouldn’t stop her from having dirty thoughts about him, but apparently he was not going to take her up on her suggestion that it might not be so wrong for them to do more kissing. Which, of course, was an offer that would lead to sex.
    â€œIt’s good to see you all so happy,” her dad said. He’d “dressed up” for the occasion and was wearing what he called his Sunday jeans. If he owned dress pants, Eliza had never seen him wear them. Even for the wedding, he’d likely have on jeans and a suit coat.
    Eliza pasted on another smile, which made her face hurt. Judging from the wincing that Kane did, he was in the same boat. Maybe that’s the reason he hadn’t taken her up on her offer to make their relationship a real one. Or called her. Or given her any indication whatsoever if that porch kiss had meant anything.
    Her mother wasn’t smiling, but she was watching them in that way that only a suspicious mother could manage. It was hard to tell what was going on in her mind, especially recently, but it was possible her mom was picking up on whatever nonverbal cues Kane and she were giving off. Cues that hinted they weren’t the happy couple they were pretending to be.
    â€œHeard you’ll be buying some cows from Charlene Fletcher,” her father said to Kane.
    â€œMaybe. She’s waffling so the deal might not happen.”
    This was the first Eliza was hearing of it, so that meant it hadn’t hit the gossip mill yet. Nor was it a surprise. Charlene was using those cows as leverage to get Kane into bed.
    â€œYou might want to talk to Logan,” her father suggested.
    Kane nodded. “Already did, a couple of hours