Read The Legacy of Copper Creek for Free Online
Authors: R.C. Ryan
without permission. A signature, Cara Walton , was scrawled as an afterthought. Inside were neatly folded bills that totaled fifty dollars.
What a funny little thing she was. Such a contradiction. Fearless enough to break into a shack in the middle of wilderness, yet scrupulous enough to do something so unexpected in order to make it right. She had apparently used the last of her money to pay for her room and board.
Whit glanced over to see Cara lean her head back. Within minutes her breathing was slow and easy.
He tucked the envelope back in the cupboard where he’d found it, reluctant to let her know that he’d uncovered her secret honesty.
Goldilocks was asleep, and it wasn’t even in a soft Baby Bear bed, but a hard, wooden chair.
No wonder. It must have taken her hours to put together that whopper of a lie about No Name. It sounded like the plot for a great who-done-it. And he wasn’t buying a word of her fiction.
But he had to admit that he’d enjoyed hearing her recite it. Of course, she could probably recite the month’s grain prices and he’d enjoy it just as much. It wasn’t just that low, sexy voice. Or those deep, soulful eyes that a man could happily drown in. Or that killer body with the face of an angel. But all of it together in one fabulous package was enough to make a man overlook the lies and just enjoy having her around. If, he reminded himself, a man was looking for trouble. Because this little Goldilocks was trouble with a capital T . And he was smart enough to avoid the obvious trap.
With a vengeance, he opened a can of this, a box of that, allowing a vague recipe to form while his thoughts returned again and again to his strange visitor. Though it made no sense, he had to admit he was enjoying her company. He’d come here hoping for a little solitude from his very big, very raucous family, and here he was actually looking forward to this intruder’s next surprise.
Part of her appeal was her easy acceptance of the situation. She’d quickly come to terms with the fact that she would have to share this space until the blizzard blew over. And once she’d satisfied herself that he wasn’t a bully or a rapist, she’d actually become a model roommate. She was smart and neat and fun to be around. He especially enjoyed her clever mind and quick wit. And next time he wanted to play a game to pass the time, he’d suggest poker instead of a word game.
Hey. A guy was entitled to win some of the time.
Of course, he could think of a much more satisfying way to pass the time. But first, he’d have to find a way past that wall of mistrust she kept around her.
He’d always loved a challenge. And this challenge came wrapped in a gorgeous package.
He was actually smiling as he dug out a heavy iron skillet and several sturdy pots and pans.
Cara felt a touch on her shoulder and came instantly awake.
Whit was bending close, his eyes on hers as they opened. He shot her one of those quick, charming grins. “Wow. In the blink of an eye you went from Sleeping Beauty to Goldilocks. I wonder which one I’ll be having lunch with.”
Still reeling from the rush of heat from his touch, her head came up sharply and she was forced to struggle to ignore his lips, mere inches from hers. “The Wicked Witch of the West if that food doesn’t taste as heavenly as it smells.”
He smiled and, as if testing her willpower, leaned in even closer, brushing a lock of hair from her eyes. “You’ve got a quick mind, Goldilocks. Barely awake and already trading insults.”
“Just trying to stay one step ahead of you, Cowboy.”
He remained there, so close she could feel herself sweating, before he got to his feet and crossed to the fireplace, where he set slices of bread slathered with thick slabs of ham and cheese on a wire rack over the hot coals. Sitting back on his heels, he stirred some fried potatoes and onions in a skillet.
Watching him, Cara muttered, “I hope you know what you’re
What a funny little thing she was. Such a contradiction. Fearless enough to break into a shack in the middle of wilderness, yet scrupulous enough to do something so unexpected in order to make it right. She had apparently used the last of her money to pay for her room and board.
Whit glanced over to see Cara lean her head back. Within minutes her breathing was slow and easy.
He tucked the envelope back in the cupboard where he’d found it, reluctant to let her know that he’d uncovered her secret honesty.
Goldilocks was asleep, and it wasn’t even in a soft Baby Bear bed, but a hard, wooden chair.
No wonder. It must have taken her hours to put together that whopper of a lie about No Name. It sounded like the plot for a great who-done-it. And he wasn’t buying a word of her fiction.
But he had to admit that he’d enjoyed hearing her recite it. Of course, she could probably recite the month’s grain prices and he’d enjoy it just as much. It wasn’t just that low, sexy voice. Or those deep, soulful eyes that a man could happily drown in. Or that killer body with the face of an angel. But all of it together in one fabulous package was enough to make a man overlook the lies and just enjoy having her around. If, he reminded himself, a man was looking for trouble. Because this little Goldilocks was trouble with a capital T . And he was smart enough to avoid the obvious trap.
With a vengeance, he opened a can of this, a box of that, allowing a vague recipe to form while his thoughts returned again and again to his strange visitor. Though it made no sense, he had to admit he was enjoying her company. He’d come here hoping for a little solitude from his very big, very raucous family, and here he was actually looking forward to this intruder’s next surprise.
Part of her appeal was her easy acceptance of the situation. She’d quickly come to terms with the fact that she would have to share this space until the blizzard blew over. And once she’d satisfied herself that he wasn’t a bully or a rapist, she’d actually become a model roommate. She was smart and neat and fun to be around. He especially enjoyed her clever mind and quick wit. And next time he wanted to play a game to pass the time, he’d suggest poker instead of a word game.
Hey. A guy was entitled to win some of the time.
Of course, he could think of a much more satisfying way to pass the time. But first, he’d have to find a way past that wall of mistrust she kept around her.
He’d always loved a challenge. And this challenge came wrapped in a gorgeous package.
He was actually smiling as he dug out a heavy iron skillet and several sturdy pots and pans.
Cara felt a touch on her shoulder and came instantly awake.
Whit was bending close, his eyes on hers as they opened. He shot her one of those quick, charming grins. “Wow. In the blink of an eye you went from Sleeping Beauty to Goldilocks. I wonder which one I’ll be having lunch with.”
Still reeling from the rush of heat from his touch, her head came up sharply and she was forced to struggle to ignore his lips, mere inches from hers. “The Wicked Witch of the West if that food doesn’t taste as heavenly as it smells.”
He smiled and, as if testing her willpower, leaned in even closer, brushing a lock of hair from her eyes. “You’ve got a quick mind, Goldilocks. Barely awake and already trading insults.”
“Just trying to stay one step ahead of you, Cowboy.”
He remained there, so close she could feel herself sweating, before he got to his feet and crossed to the fireplace, where he set slices of bread slathered with thick slabs of ham and cheese on a wire rack over the hot coals. Sitting back on his heels, he stirred some fried potatoes and onions in a skillet.
Watching him, Cara muttered, “I hope you know what you’re