Read Cowboy's Bride for Free Online Page B

computer.
Philip put one in about four years ago. We can review the programs
and you can get started in bringing your records up to date this
afternoon. I'll get you started, then I really do have to head for
home."
    She nodded, torn between wanting him to stay
and the relief she knew she'd feel when he was gone. She needed
time to get herself back on track. Decide exactly what she was
going to do about him. She couldn't believe she was reacting so
strongly, just because he was the sexiest thing she'd ever
seen.
    "Let's get started. I don't want to hold you
up from leaving," she said, jumping up and walking quickly from the
room to the office she'd remembered from her summer visits.
    He was right behind her, and when she sank
down in the chair behind the desk, he sat on the arm, his hip
pressing against her, his body leaning over hers as he reached
across to flick on the machine.
    Staring at the monitor as if it was a
talisman, Kalli refused to give in to the urge to lean against him,
to tilt her head back for a kiss and forget records and computers
and the ranch. Instead, she listened as attentively as she could as
he explained how to boot up and get into the program and how to
select the different options for input and report generation.
    "I've got it," she said impatiently when he
reviewed it all a second time. "How much information has to be put
into it before it's up to date?"
    "Several months worth. I tried to keep up
with it, but with my own ranch to run, it was just too much. Here
are the receipts, payroll records, calving notes and bills yet to
be paid. You can make a start. When you have everything in, let me
know and we'll run some quick reports to make sure it's in right,
then run a full set of records."
    "I can manage," she said, counting the
minutes until he left. Until she could breathe normally, regain her
customary heart rate and relax her tight control.
    "Yeah, I bet. See you tomorrow, then, Kalli."
He rose and started across the room.
    "Trace?"
    "Yeah?" He paused in the doorway and looked
back.
    "If I need to get you before you come over
tomorrow, how do I call you?"
    "I'll give you my phone number. You can reach
me there if I'm not here, or leave a message." He walked to the
desk and scrawled his phone number on a piece of paper.
    "I won't call unless it's important, of
course. I wouldn't want you to think I can't make it here," she
said, tucking the paper safely into the top drawer.
    He smiled, "Yeah, right." He traced a knuckle
down her cheek and nodded, leaving the room with the same graceful,
liquid prowl she'd seen yesterday. God, he was sexy!

3
    Determined to prove to Trace that she was
capable of running a ranch, that she was not some innocent city
woman who had come to be pampered, Kalli set her alarm for five the
next morning. She'd be up, dressed and have breakfast ready when he
arrived at six. She wasn't afraid of hard work. Nursing was often
hard. The frantic pace of the emergency room left little time for
taking things easy. If he thought she was used to just sitting
around, she'd prove to him she could pull her own weight.
    All good intentions aside, she hadn't figured
on being so sore and stiff! With a groan she rolled over and
slammed her hand down on the alarm knob. Every inch of her body
ached. She hurt in muscles she hadn't even known about, despite the
anatomy courses in college. Sleep had been elusive during the night
as she had tossed and turned and tried to get comfortable after her
warm bath. Nothing worked.
    And it wasn't only her aching body that had
kept sleep at bay. Her thoughts had revolved around Trace. How
adamant he was about her not being able to stay. How he had looked
sitting on a horse. How exciting his body had felt against hers
when he'd kissed her by the corral. The last led to fantasies about
future kisses, and that in turn led to erotic dreams of more than
kissing when she did manage to sleep fitfully. All in all, a
restless and uncomfortable night.
    Now it was