“Momentarily.” Her dad studied the board. “Aha.” Then he proceeded to take command of the game once again.

  As Wyatt went down in flames for the second time, taking his defeat without excuses and complimenting her dad on his playing, Olivia longed to wrap her arms around this amazing guy and hold on tight. She thought of the way he’d looked at her sofa, and glanced at the time on her phone. The afternoon was getting away from them.

  “I hate to break this up.” She thought the lie was forgivable under the circumstances. “But Wyatt and I need to get moving if we’re going to finish our other little chores before we head back to the ranch for dinner.”

  Wyatt pushed back his chair. “Guess so.” He held out his hand to Grover. “You’re a tough competitor and I’m looking forward to a rematch.”

  “Any time.” Grover stood. “Any friend of Olivia’s is a friend of mine.”

  “She mentioned that, and I feel lucky that she considers me a friend.”

  Grover nodded, his white hair bobbing. “You are lucky. I need to warn you that she’s picky, though. She’s given three men the boot already, back when we lived in Pittsburgh.”

  “Because they were jerks,” Olivia said. She hadn’t told her father the exact reason she’d broken up with all three of those guys, and she didn’t intend to.

  “I think there was a little more to it than that,” her father said with a smile. “But I guess it helps if you don’t act like a jerk.”

  “I’ll do my best not to, sir.”

  “I hope so. I’d like to keep you on as a chess partner. Now run along, both of you. I know you have things to do. Thanks for spending some time with an old man.”

  “You’re not old, Dad.” Olivia gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “You’re timeless. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Once they were out the door, Olivia laced her fingers through Wyatt’s. “Thank you. You were terrific.”

  Terrific didn’t even cover it. He’d passed this test with flying colors, but she had to be careful not to overdo her compliments or he might suspect he’d been set up.

  “You say that like I was making some sort of sacrifice. I had a blast.”

  “Well, I could see you were engaged in the chess game, and he is an outstanding player, but I can’t believe you were okay with the food.”

  Wyatt laughed. “It was like being back at Scout camp when we used to dream up every gross combination we could think of. I’m pretty sure we had hot dogs and peanut butter once. It tasted very familiar.”

  “You really didn’t mind it?”

  “Hell, no! Even the bug juice made me nostalgic for those days at camp. Considering my home life, I loved camp. One of the counselors taught us how to play chess. I was in my element just now.”

  She hadn’t expected that kind of response in a million years. “Then maybe I shouldn’t have dragged you away.”

  “Oh, yeah, you should.”

  “But if you were having so much fun, you probably wanted to stay and wallow in nostalgia some more.”

  “I might have, if I hadn’t known there was a certain cushy sofa waiting for us over at your house.”

  Now she felt better. “You think that’s why I suggested we had to leave? So we could roll around naked on that sofa?”

  “I hope so, because if that’s not what you have in mind, then I’m going back for another game of chess with your dad.”

  She tightened her grip on his fingers. “My dad’s had his time with you. Now it’s my turn.”

  13

  OLIVIA’S HEART RATE HAD skyrocketed by the time she and Wyatt reached her front door. “We’ll have to lower the blinds,” she said.

  “I’ll leave that to you.” His voice was low and urgent. “I’m feeling so desperate I might pull the damned blind right out of the window casing, and then what would we do?”

  “Go back to my bedroom.” Nothing was going to stop her from having her way with him.

  “Maybe we should do that in the first place. Just because I have an image of you naked on that sofa, doesn’t mean—”

  “Yes, it does. Anybody can do it on a bed.” She drew him through the door. “Let’s make some memories on the sofa.”

  “Yeah, let’s.” Shoving the door closed with his booted foot, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her feverishly as he began divesting her of her clothes. He behaved as if he couldn’t get enough of her.

  “The blinds…” she gasped between kisses. “We have to…”

  “I know. In a minute. I just need to—” Pulling her T-shirt over her head, he unhooked her bra.

  “You’re crazy,” she murmured, but she was just as busy unsnapping his shirt and running both hands up his lightly furred chest. “I love how you feel.”

  “I love how you feel, more.” Cupping her breasts, he leaned down and sucked an aching nipple into his mouth.

  She forgot all about the blinds. Nothing mattered but his hands, his mouth, his tongue. They wriggled out of their clothes, laughing as her zipper stuck and his boots refused to come off his feet. Her zipper finally gave way but his boots weren’t so cooperative.

  “I can do this with my boots on, damn it. And my jeans.” He stripped hers away. “At least one of us is naked.” His voice was thick with need. “The most critical one.”

  “I don’t know about that.” She was panting by the time she flopped back on the sofa. “I think you should be—”

  “—kissing you all over.” Kneeling beside the sofa, his shirt and his jeans unbuttoned and unzipped but still on, he proceeded to do exactly that. “You’ve covered with rainbows.”

  “That’s because the blinds…are still up.”

  “I can’t bring myself to care.” He circled her nipple with his tongue.

  Neither could she. She abandoned herself to the sensuous pleasure of lying naked on her sofa while Wyatt hovered over her, bestowing erotic kisses.

  “There’s a rainbow here.” He licked the underside of her breast. “And another one here.” He touched down just beneath her navel. “Oh, and one more here.”

  She didn’t know whether a rainbow rested at the sensitive spot where he put his mouth last, but she wasn’t going to question his word. She’d experienced his expertise at this endeavor before, and she was willing to believe a rainbow had guided him there.

  She was willing to believe anything he told her when he was doing…oh, yes…that.

  “I love how you taste,” he murmured, his breath hot against her moist skin. He slid both hands under her. “And how you make that little noise in the back of your throat when I do this.” He settled in and began to get serious.

  She had no idea what little noise he meant, because her brain had turned to mush. She probably made that noise, along with several others, as he nibbled and licked and generally drove her insane. She vaguely remembered begging him to make her come, and he did…gloriously.

  As she vibrated from the intensity of it, she heard boots hit the floor and the clank of a belt buckle followed. A foil package was ripped open and then he was there, managing the gymnastics necessary to make love to her on a sofa that was almost, but not quite, long enough.

  Or wide enough. She put one foot on the floor and so did he. They maneuvered and shifted, their laughter breathless, their excitement building along with their frustration.

  “I know what,” he said at last. “Let me sit on the sofa and you—”

  “Brilliant.” Which was how she ended up straddling him in the center of the middle cushion, her hands braced on his shoulders as she rode him to glory, both his and hers.

  Gasping for breath, they touched foreheads.

  “I love this sofa,” he said. “Don’t ever get rid of it.”

  “I won’t.” She gulped for air. “It’s a part of history now.”

  “Yeah.” He slid his hands from her hips to her waist. “Our first ride together.”

  She probably should be worried that they were talking about furniture as a history of their relationship, as if it was destined to last a very long time. But he’d been so great with her dad, and in her warm, postorgasmic glow, she couldn’t be bothered to worry about anything.

  True, she hadn’t known him very long, and she’d promised herself that she’d take her time about singling out another guy. But Wyatt had shown himself to be a hero in so many ways already. What could possibly go wrong?

  * * *

  ALTHOUGH WYATT WASN’T crazy about the idea of driving back to the ranch separately, he couldn’t argue with the logic of it. Olivia wanted time to shower and change clothes, and he needed to go back to the Bunk and Grub and get his things. He’d called the ranch and the travelers weren’t expected for at least another hour, so he had time to shower and change, too.

  After dinner Olivia would go home. Not knowing how tonight would turn out, Wyatt thought it was probably best if they each had their own transportation. He expected to spend the night at the ranch, but if things went south with Jack, Wyatt could always ask if Olivia would take him in temporarily.

  With a mental promise to return at some point in time, he left the yellow house with the white trim, the rainbows, and the most excellent blue denim sofa, not to mention the amazing woman he’d made love to there. He was comfortable with the term made love when it came to Olivia. Their connection deepened with every moment they spent together.

  He would not, however, pursue her. He would love her with everything he had to offer and hope that she would pursue him. It wasn’t the way he normally handled events in his life, but he was willing to adapt to the situation.

  When he arrived at the Bunk and Grub, he sought out Pam in the little office she’d created right next to the living room.

  She turned in her wooden swivel chair with a smile of greeting. Her blond bob shone in the afternoon light coming through a window. “I knew you’d show up sometime, but I wasn’t sure when. I have your duffel bag over in the corner, ready to go. How has your day been?”

  “Incredible.” As he said it, he realized he’d put a hell of a lot of emotion into that one word. Probably too much if he wanted to keep things under wraps.

  “It’s Olivia.” Pam wasn’t asking. It probably only took one look at his smiling face to know, especially after seeing them gravitating toward each other last night.

  “Yeah.” He sighed. “It’s Olivia.”

  “She’s great. I hope you two continue to get along. Listen, do you have a minute to sit and talk?”

  “Sure.” He levered himself into a wingback chair in the corner of Pam’s tiny office. “But first off, I want to pay you for the nights I booked here. It’s not right to reserve a room and then cancel at the last minute.”

  Pam gazed at him. “I don’t know how much you know about me.”

  “A little. You own this place, and you’re Nick’s aunt, and from what you said last night, there’s some connection to Emmett Sterling, the ranch foreman.”

  Pam chuckled. “Oh, there is. I’ve had a serious crush on that guy for years, which isn’t surprising. He looks like Tom Selleck and is a real sweetheart and a good dad to Emily. But he’s not what you’d call wealthy, and I…am.”

  Wyatt nodded. “My dad’s around that age, and I don’t know if he could accept being with a woman who was richer than he is.”

  “I intend to keep working on Emmett, but the real point I wanted to make is that I don’t need the money from that reservation. But if you’re determined to pay it, I’ll accept on one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  “As you can imagine, Sarah and I had a couple of conversations about you.”

  Warmth crept up the back of Wyatt’s neck. “I’m sure she’s worried about whether my presence will cause trouble. That’s one reason I wanted to stay with you, but Sarah wouldn’t hear of it.”

  “Of course she wouldn’t. Jack may be part owner of the ranch but Sarah still wields most of the power over there. You came with good intentions, and she wants you to feel welcome. She doesn’t think anyone should tiptoe around Jack on this issue.”

  Wyatt nodded. “Okay. I respect that.”

  “But she realizes that having Jack come home to find you in his old clothes might start things off on the wrong foot.”

  “Exactly. That’s one of the main reasons I’m picking up my things, so I can go back to the ranch and change into my own stuff.”

  “Shorts and T-shirts, right?”

  “That’s what I live in.”

  “It’s anyone’s guess what the best strategy is when it comes to Jack, but Sarah and I think it might be better if you looked less like a California dude and more like a cowboy. Besides, you can’t ride a horse in shorts, and if you want to bond with Jack you’ll do it best on horseback. That’s where he feels most at home.”

  “Guess I’ll go shopping first thing in the morning, then. I’d thought about doing that, anyway.” Not so much for Jack, but for Olivia, who seemed to like his cowboy look.

  “Or…” Pam left her desk and opened a small coat closet. “You can accept these things I picked up today in Jackson.” She took a shopping bag out and brought it over to where Wyatt sat, openmouthed. “Once Sarah knew you fit into Jack’s old clothes, she was able to give me the size. I’ve taken all the tags off because I want you to consider them a gift. I wasn’t lucky enough to have kids of my own, so I spoil those Chance boys rotten and I’d be tickled to do the same with you.”

  Wyatt looked from the bag to Pam. She’d driven to Jackson and spent her valuable time and money on him, someone she barely knew. He was overwhelmed by her thoughtfulness and generosity. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say, ‘thank you, Pam,’ and then hop in your truck and head out to the ranch so you can change clothes before Jack and the other guys get home.”

  “Thank you, Pam.” He stood and gave her a hug. In the past twenty-four hours Sarah and Pam had acted more like mothers to him than his own ever had.

  “If you don’t like anything I can take it back, even without the tags. They know me there.”

  He grinned. “I’m sure they do, but I’m not giving anything back. I’ll proudly wear every stitch until it falls off me.”

  “One other thing. I didn’t buy boots, but I don’t think wearing Jack’s will be a big issue. And I didn’t get you a hat, either. That’s something you should probably pick out for yourself. A cowboy’s hat is kind of like his signature.”

  “Got it. Thanks, Pam. You’re the best.” With a heart full of gratitude he picked up the bag, grabbed his duffel from the corner, and left the Bunk and Grub.

  Olivia had told him he had support in his quest to make friends with his half brother and his extended family. Apparently that was true. Now all he needed was for Jack to arrive home feeling mellow from the success of his trip and in the mood to give friendship one last chance. If Jack would just meet him halfway, Wyatt was willing to do the rest.

  * * *

  LESS THAN AN HOUR LATER, Wyatt finally had his first opportunity to sit on the ranch’s front porch in one of the wooden rockers. After taking a quick shower and putting on one of his new pairs of jeans and a pale green yoked shirt, he’d come downstairs and discovered everyone had gathered on the porch with wine, beer and snacks to await the arrival of what Sarah had dubbed “our returning heroes.”

  Apparently the final tally of horses sold and stud fees collected was very good financial news for the Last Chance. Wyatt got the impression that the family sometimes struggled with being land-rich and cash-poor, but that wouldn’t be the case this summer. He was happy for them.

  Peter Beckett, a tall, distinguished guy in his mid-sixties, had come for the welcoming party. Sarah introduced Peter, and Wyatt liked his easy smile and firm handshake. Wyatt wasn’t sure if he was supposed to congratulate them on their engagement or not.

  “Sarah tells me the cat’s out of the bag,” Peter said, ending Wyatt’s uncertainty. “Looks like I’ll be joining the family soon.”

  “I heard that,” Wyatt said. “I haven’t been here long, but I can already say that anyone who’s allowed to hook up with the Chance family is one lucky SOB.”

  “I totally agree.”

  “Thanks, Wyatt.” Sarah leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You look great.”

  “Pam’s a persuasive woman.” He smiled at her. “Like I said, hooking up with the Chance family comes with all sorts of benefits.”

  She beamed with happiness and linked her arm through Peter’s. “I’m glad you think so. Now, go get yourself a cold beer and snag yourself a seat. They should be here soon.”

  “You bet.” Feeling as if this might go well after all, he pulled a beer from a much larger cooler stocked with far more bottles than Mary Lou had provided the night before. This was shaping up to be quite a party.

  Josie called him over to an empty rocker next to her. He couldn’t help thinking that the chair had been saved for him because Josie wanted Jack to see immediately that she’d accepted Wyatt. Rodney padded over and plopped down at his feet. Wyatt grinned and leaned down to scratch behind the dog’s floppy ears.

  Josie glanced over at Wyatt as she bounced little Archie gently on her knee. “Nice duds, cowboy. Glad to see you accepted Pam’s generosity.”

  “You knew about that?”

  She chuckled. “Oh, yeah. Sarah told us what she and Pam had cooked up and we all speculated as to your reaction. You made the right choice. Pam would have been crushed if you’d refused.”

  “I was touched that she’d do such a thing when she barely knows me.”

  “You made friends here last night, Wyatt. We all want this to work out for you. Even the dog.”

  “Thanks, but don’t feel you have to step into the breach if it starts going downhill with Jack. As I said before, I don’t want to cause a problem, either between you and Jack, or Sarah and Jack.”