Rancher at Risk by Barbara White Daille Page A

job.
    He had a job to do, too, dammit.
    While I’m gone, you’re in charge here.
    The boss might as well have said “I’m putting you to the test.”
    Again.
    “We’ve had this conversation before, Lianne. Caleb left me to oversee the project.”
    “Yes, I know.” She sighed. “It’s an entry-level staff position. I can do the interviewing on my own.”
    No fists this time, but he could see them in his mind. “Regardless, I’ll be here. Besides, you might want an independent observer in the room.” He tried a smile again. “When you’re talking to someone you may decide to hire, you want to make sure you stay professional.”
    She laughed. “We’ve had that conversation before, too. Don’t you remember? I am a professional. And I know how to act while I’m interviewing.”
    “Think so? Well, here’s a tip you might find helpful. Keep your hands away from your face. Especially when you’re holding a pencil.”
    Her eyes narrowed then widened in sudden understanding. She rubbed her cheek with her fingertips.
    “Missed it.” He reached up and lightly brushed aside her tendril of hair, then thumbed away the dark smudge on her temple.
    Her eyes met his. Her pink lips softened, and his pulse gave one mighty hitch.
    She stepped back, breaking contact, looking away. “I’d better go check in a mirror.” She moved past him, leaving behind the faint scent of roses.
    And one thoroughly shaken man.
    * * *
    L IANNE FOUND HER bag in the kitchen where she had left it. She quickly checked in her compact mirror to make sure the pencil smudge was gone and then headed out the back door.
    As far as she was concerned, her conversation in the office with Ryan had ended. And whatever else had just started in there wasn’t going to continue.
    One hand touching her cheek, she walked into the yard, warmed by the late-afternoon sun. Blue sky and white clouds stretched overhead. In the distance a tree-covered ridge beckoned. One day, she would check it out. But for now, with any luck, she’d already gotten far enough from Ryan.
    Outside the barn, Tony sat on a low stool, doing something that required a tub of soapy water.
    When he saw her approaching, he smiled. “Hey there. Come to keep an old man company?”
    No, to leave a younger man behind.
    “You’re not old, Tony. You’re just mature for your age.”
    He laughed.
    She, on the other hand, had acted immaturely—like a schoolgirl swooning because the boy she had a crush on had just smiled at her. But Ryan hadn’t smiled. He’d touched.
    All her years of reading faces had told her he’d wanted more. And, all right— yes, she’d wanted that, too.
    She swung herself up onto the top rail of the corral. From here she would have the back porch of the house in view.
    Tony would be good company right now. As busy as he was, he wouldn’t notice her distraction. And since he couldn’t look at her and work at the same time, they couldn’t carry on a conversation.
    But she’d forgotten how much he liked to talk.
    “Went for a look over at the school the other day. They’ve made some progress since I was out there a while back. Things all going well with the construction, I take it?”
    She nodded.
    “Caleb’s left the place in good hands.”
    She smiled and then wondered whether he’d meant hers or Ryan’s. Right now she didn’t want to think about Ryan or his hands. Or his eyes or his mouth or his anything else.
    “Everything going well with you, too?” Tony asked.
    “Yes. Why?” She frowned. She’d just sounded as suspicious as Ryan had the night she’d tried to make conversation over the brownies. “Things are fine. Any reason for asking?”
    “Nope. Bet you’re happy to be staying in that house over there.”
    Why? This time, she didn’t ask, but she shot a glance in that direction. All clear, fortunately.
    “I mean, it’s nice for you being close by with your sister getting ready to have her baby. You’ll still be here for the occasion, won’t