The Wrangler by Jillian Hart Page A

green earth, sun-filled sky. "It was a dream that grew stronger the longer we stayed in Montana. When Pa won this place, it felt like destiny. We had land, good land, and all we needed were horses."
    "Horses?" His boots moved him closer when he ought to stay back.
    "The wild mustangs. They run across my land all the time, coming to the spring just west of here to drink. One night I saw them running in the night and I thought, Blue is fast, I'm decent with a lasso. I could catch a few mares at a time, get my own herd started. Over the years, I'd have a way to earn a living."
    "You're good with horses, I have to give you that." He thought of Blue, the big stallion as gentle as a lamb. She'd done that. "It's possible. It's a good plan."
    "If I can keep the land." She blew out a shaky breath, chin firm, jaw set. "I have to keep this land."
    "I can understand what having a place like this means."
    "How long have you been like this, without a home?"
    "I was about your age. That makes it eight years ago." The wild Montana winds blew harder, beating against his shirt, making his chest feel hollow. He never spoke of this to anyone.
    "What happened eight years ago?" Her question came gently, her concern sincere.
    Don't be roped in by her caring nature, he thought. The truth stuck in his throat and refused to budge. No way could he say those terrible, terrible words.
    "Sorry, there I go being nosy. It happens. One of my many faults." Her light tone couldn't hide her caring.
    He was a sucker for that. It had been so long since anyone had cared about him. His wanting to matter to someone, even incidentally, was a weakness. He hung his head, feet braced, hands fisted, wishing he could make sense of the need inside him. "I can't believe you have any faults."
    "Was that sarcasm?" Her soft laughter was the sweetest sound. "Go ask my sister and brother. They could recite a list of my flaws for at least ten minutes straight."
    "Ten minutes? No. I'd believe maybe five minutes."
    "Hey. That's not a gentlemanly thing to say."
    "I'm no gentleman."
    Golden tendrils escaped her braid to lash across her face, bringing his attention to her mouth. Her rose-petal pink mouth. Heat stirred in his blood, but could he turn away? Not even if he tried.
    "I guess not." Dimples bracketed her smile. "No gentleman takes a bullet the way you did."
    "Not my first bullet."
    "So, you are the outlaw type. What am I doing letting you hang around?"
    "I've been asking myself that all morning." His fingers reached out of their own accord to brush the honeyed lock of hair out of her eyes. Warm satin, soft silk. A lightning bolt cleaved straight through him when he touched her. She brought out the weakness in him.
    She didn't move as he tucked the strands of hair beneath her hat band. He didn't fool himself thinking that her heart had stopped beating the way his had. An innocent female like her would never be attracted to a rough, shiftless horseman like him. His only saving grace.
    He stepped back, fighting the desire rising in his blood. "I've got the mare to tend. You've got Tannen to pay. You'd be wise to look over that document and make sure it's authentic."
    "Oh, I'm sure it is." She pulled the parchment out of her skirt pocket and unfolded it. "It's Pa's signature. No doubt about it. Well, there is one good thing. After I make this dang payment, I'll still have some cash."
    "That is good news. There's a lumber mill east of here, beyond Gold Dust City, probably a half day by wagon. I spotted it on my travels."
    "And it's where I bought the wood for the fence. What are you doing wandering through the territory?"
    "I'm looking for work. Or I was. Looks like I found it."
    "Here? I never said I'd hire you. Besides, you're wounded. Damaged. I'm not hiring a damaged worker."
    "And whose fault is that?" Humor looked amazing on him, putting midnight-blue sparks in his dark eyes.
    "Mine?"
    "Yours." The hard granite planes of his face gentled with his amusement, hinting at a