And bore you to tears?
He shook his head. There is nothing boring about you, and we both know it. Why Whitehorse? Come on, I really want to know.
I was born and raised here.
His eyebrow shot up. No kidding.
Well, thats somewhat true, she amended with a smile. I was adopted when I was born. My adopted family lives in Old Town Whitehorse. Thats where I grew up.
Youre adopted? That seemed to interest him.
I didnt find out until recently.
No one told you?
She shook her head. If you knew my adoptive mother, that would make sense to you. She said the moment she laid eyes on my sisters and me we were hers and nobody elses, and thats why she didnt tell us. Lila Bailey Jackson is a very strong, determined woman.
Like her daughter. He took a sip of his champagne, then frowned. Lila Bailey Jackson?
She recently married Loren Jackson. Its a long story, but apparently they were in love for years.
Jackson, he repeated softly. Like the sheriff? He refilled her glass. She hadnt realized shed emptied it already. Nerves.
The sheriff is Lorens son and my sister Eves fiancé. Its a small town, she added with a laugh and realized she was starting to enjoy herself. And why shouldnt she? She did have something to celebrate, and her date was just as handsome as Arlene had said.
She hadnt dated all that much, too busy between school and a job working for a local veterinarian in Bozeman while shed attended Montana State University. It felt good to be in the company of an attractive cowboy.
So tell me about you.
He shrugged. Not much to tell. Raised on a ranch, like you.
Had she told him she was raised on a ranch? She couldnt remember.
Ive worked all over, wrangling and doing odd jobs. Once you turn thirty you cant help but think about planting roots. Not too deep, though, he quickly amended. I like being a free spirit. When I leave here Im thinking of going to South America. Like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. You know, they robbed a train up here right before they went to South America.
Allegedly. But she didnt tell him that. She knew Flynn Garretts type. He liked to think of himself as an outlaw. Hed used his looks to get him through life, always taking the path of least resistance. Shed dated a few boys like him in college. They were fun. At least for a while.
So why did you bid on the old Harper place? she asked and took a drink of her champagne. She might as well celebrate because shed just bought herself a house and forty acres.
He shrugged in answer. I like competition.
She eyed him over the rim of her champagne glass. Yeah? But he wasnt as good at losing as he was at pretending, she thought. The question was: had he wanted Harper House or did he just not want anyone else to have it?
What will you do now? she asked.
I dont know. Youve forced me to change my plans. He smiled at her as if he thought he could con her into thinking she owed him. Not likely.
Sorry, she said with a grin, but Ive always wanted that place.
Really? Why?
She shook her head. I wish I knew.
Flynn seemed lost in thought for a long moment, and she wondered if he understood the pull of Harper House more than he was admitting.
She felt a kinship with him because of the house. It was odd. Shed just met him earlier today and yet it was as if shed known him a lot longer. Which made this date a little sad, since she didnt think she would be going out with him again.
Flynn poured them both more champagne, emptying the bottle. Dont worry about me, he said as if there hadnt been a lag in the conversation. Im a man who always lands on his feet, one way or another. Meanwhile, Im having dinner with a beautiful, fascinating woman. His expression was so intense she was glad that the waitress appeared with their salads.
The conversation turned to horses during dinner and that awkward moment passed. McKenna realized that hed either guessed about her love of horses or someone had told him. But then, that would mean that hed asked around about her. Arlene. How had McKenna forgotten that Arlene had set this up?
She recalled how Arlene had been so confident this man would be perfect for her. She really should cancel her membership in Arlenes dating service first thing in the morning. If only shed read the contract more closely.
The evening passed quickly, and suddenly they were at that uncomfortable end of the date where he walked her out to her pickup and she feared he would kiss her.
And feared he wouldnt.
His kiss was nice. Soft, sweet, tentative. What surprised her was that she sensed a vulnerability in him when he kissed her that hed kept well
hidden in the time shed been around him. Flynn Garrett didnt have it all together as much as he wanted everyone to believe.
He drew back from the kiss, and she was surprised to see regret in his gaze. As he turned and walked away, she could only assume she wouldnt be seeing him again.
Chapter Five
She jerked up in the bed, her heart pounding, her night-shirt stuck to her skin with sweat.
Hello?
McKenna, I wanted to catch you before you took off this morning.