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half to death, she grumbled, rising to her feet and brushing the hay
from her jeans.
 Need some help? Eric s eyes gleamed devilishly.
 No, I don t. Jane glared up at him.  Did you want something?
 I came to see if the goats were settling in.
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As if in answer, Sam snorted.
 That means no in goat talk, Jane said.
 A snort is no?
 A snort is no. It also means that he doesn t like you, she added
smugly.
 He s probably figured out that I m the competition. Eric grinned.
 I don t think Sam has much to worry about. Jane bent and gave
the goat another cracker.  Sam is better looking and has a pleasant
disposition.
 Sadie seems to like me. Eric bent and rubbed the female goat
along her back.
 Baa, Sadie said in approval.
 Another flighty female succumbs to your charms. I should have
expected it.
 But you re damned determined not to succumb, aren t you, Jane?
His tone carried the oddest edge of challenge.
 You aren t my type, though Hildy disagrees.
 So you ve been getting an ear full from my housekeeper while I ve
been gone, have you? Eric reached for the box of crackers and ate two.
Then he fed one to Sadie.
 Your name came up, Jane admitted.  I found the topic boring.
 Why, because Hildy is loyal and likes me? He ate another cracker
and gave Sadie seconds as well. When he reached out a cookie to Sam,
the goat backed away, refusing to eat from Eric s hand.
 The topic bored me because you don t interest me in the least.
 Too bad, because you re stuck with me. Eric ate two more
grahams, then reached another one out to Sadie.
 I m only stuck until Janice gets back. Jane snatched the box of
grahams from his hands.  They ve had enough, they ll get fat. So will
you.
 Worried that I ll lose my sex appeal? He jiggled his eyebrows.
 Sex appeal? You think I care about that? Jane crossed her arms
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over her chest.
 Why else would you worry that I might get fat?
 I don t care how you look. I just don t want you eating all my
goat s cookies.
 Actually, they re my cookies. Hildy always keeps a box around for
me.
 Poor baby, the goats ate his afternoon snack. Hildy s right, men
don t change much from diapers to drawers.
Eric lifted a brow at her words but didn t question her further.  I
bought some oats and a small trough while I was out.
Jane s stare widened at his thoughtfulness.
 Despite what one misguided female prefers to think, I am not cruel
to animals. I just haven t been around too many. He lifted a finger and
pressed it to the tip of her nose briefly.  The bag of feed is outside the
door. I ll bring it in.
Jane stood silently by while Eric filled the new trough with
sweetened oats. Then he checked the water bucket.
Sadie tested the oats. Sam snorted and refused to go near them.
 Sam will eat once you leave, Jane said, moving toward the door.
 Hildy said dinner would be ready soon, we d better go in.
Eric secured the barn door, then led the way to the house. On
arriving at the back porch, he turned.  Since we re not having any
guests, I suppose it doesn t matter, but we usually dress for dinner. He
surveyed her jeans which had become smudged from her roll on the
barn floor.
Jane noted that his tailored suit and tie exactly matched the color of
his eyes and she lowered her head in humiliation, feeling decidedly like
Little Orphan Annie. She hadn t intended on actually making this trip
and had all but dismissed the idea of packing. But she could hardly
admit that to him. Besides, who was he to tell her how to dress?  I ll
wear what I want, she said, pushing past him. The back door slammed
in his face.
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Eric released a sharp oath and reopened the door. Jane ignored him
and headed toward the dining room.
The room was as elegant as the rest of the house and Jane had to
admit that she looked a little out of place. Dirty denim and fine linen
napkins were not synonymous with one another. But she placed her
napkin on her grubby jeans and pretended not to care.
Eric cleared his throat and took his place at the head of the table.
The stew was good and Jane enjoyed a second helping. She refused
the offer of a third bowl and settled for nibbling on a warm roll.
 Do you always eat like a farm hand? Eric asked, passing her the
butter.
 Most men like a girl with a healthy appetite. Jane smeared a large
pat of butter on her bread and waited for it to melt.
 You practically inhaled your food.
 I m a nurse, I m lucky to get a lunch break or any break at all. I m
used to eating fast, she explained, a little self-consciously.
 Well, slow down. There s no time clock to punch.
Jane tried to relax. It was nearly impossible. The man was watching
every move she made.  I ve noticed that when you re not voicing some
flaw you ve already found in my character, you seem to be searching
for a new one. Stop staring at me. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]