Montana Sky by Nora Roberts

worth it in the end. When he had Lily back, when he reminded her who was boss. Who was in charge.
    Until that happy day he would stay close. And he would watch.
    â€œYou have a good time, bitch,” Jesse muttered, his eyes narrowing behind the high-powered lenses as Lily walked her mount beside Adam’s. “Payback time’s coming.”
    Â 
    M OST OF THE DAY HAD DIED OUT OF THE SKY BY THE time Willa got back to the ranch house. Dehorning and castrating cattle was a messy, miserable job, and a tedious one. She knew she was pushing herself, and knew she would continue to push. She wanted the men to see her at every angle, at every job. Shifting operators under the best of circumstances could be a rough transition. And these were far from the best of circumstances.
    Which is why she’d been on hand when a herd of elk had trampled through a fence, creating havoc. And why she’d personally headed the crew to chase them off again, to repair the fence.
    Now with the work done for the day and the hands settling down for supper and cards in the bunkhouse, she wanted nothing more than a hot bath and a hot meal. She was halfway up the steps to get the first when the knocksounded on the door. Knowing that Bess was likely in the kitchen, Willa stomped back down to answer.
    She greeted Ben with a scowl. “What do you want?”
    â€œA cold beer would go down good.”
    â€œThis isn’t a saloon.” But she swung away from the door and into the living room to the cold box behind the bar. “Make it fast, Ben. I haven’t had my supper.”
    â€œNeither have I.” He took the bottle she handed him. “But I don’t expect I’m going to get an invitation.”
    â€œI’m not in the mood for company.”
    â€œI’ve never known you to be in the mood for company.” He tipped back the beer and drank deep. “I haven’t seen you since we were up in the high country. Thought I should let you know I didn’t find anything. Trail died out on me. I’d have to say whoever was up there knew his way around tracking.”
    She took a beer for herself, and since her feet were aching, dropped down beside Ben on the sofa. “Pickles thinks it was kids. Doped up and crazy.”
    â€œAnd you?”
    â€œI didn’t.” She moved a shoulder. “Now that sounds like the best explanation.”
    â€œMaybe. There’s not much use going back up. We’ve got the cattle down. Is your sister back from LA?”
    Willa stopped rolling her head to loosen her shoulders and frowned at him. “You’re awfully interested in Mercy business, McKinnon.”
    â€œThat’s part of my job now.” He liked reminding her of it, just as he liked looking at her, with her hair falling out of her braid and her boots propped beside his. “Have you heard from her?”
    â€œShe’ll be here tomorrow, so if that concludes your prying into my business, you can—”
    â€œGoing to introduce me?” To please himself he reached out to toy with her hair. “Maybe I’ll take a shine to her and keep her occupied and out of your way for a while.”
    She knocked his hand aside, but he only brought it back. “Do women always fall at your feet?”
    â€œAll but you, darling. And that’s just because I haven’tfound the right way to tip your balance.” He skimmed a fingertip down her cheek, watched her eyes narrow. “But I’m working on it. What about the other one?”
    â€œThe other what?” Willa wanted to shift over a couple of inches, but she knew it would make her look like a fool.
    â€œThe other sister.”
    â€œShe’s around. Somewhere.”
    He smiled, slowly. “I’m making you nervous. Isn’t that interesting?”
    â€œYour ego needs pruning again.” But she started to rise. He stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
    â€œWell, well,” he murmured,