Definitely good, he thought, but kept his feelings to himself. He knew Patty was just trying to distract him and, damn it, her ploy worked. Now that his sister was safe and, for the moment, out of trouble, he could concentrate on other things. Terri was coming around about Dee Dee, and that left Bliss.

Bliss.

What in the world was he going to do with her?

Ask her to marry you, that’s what. You can’t take a chance on losing her again.

His jaw slid to one side and he adjusted the air conditioner to lower the temperature in the cab. He’d struggled with his feelings for over a week. She was the one woman he’d sworn to avoid and now he couldn’t get enough of her. Making love to her was pure heaven. Holding her close at night was something he wanted to do for the rest of his life. And she’d be leaving soon. John and Brynnie’s wedding was scheduled for the end of next week. Then Bliss was planning to return to Seattle.

That thought settled on him like lead. It was time to come clean. As soon as he’d deposited Patty at her apartment, he’d have it out with old man Cawthorne.

* * *

Bliss gave Fire Cracker her head and felt the hot summer air stream through her hair as the game little mare raced over the dry stubble of the field. The sky was on fire, deep shades of magenta and gold blazing over the western hills, as the sun set in a splash of brilliance.

It was a glorious evening and Bliss felt a rush of adrenaline as Fire Cracker’s hooves thundered over the dry acres. Cattle and horses dotted the hillsides, and shadows grew long at the base of trees. How could she ever leave? In the past few weeks she’d grown to love this ranch, just as her father did. And despite all her talk to the contrary, she’d fallen in love with Mason.

Not that he loved her.

She kneed Fire Cracker and the mare leaped over a dry streambed, sailing through the air and landing with a bone-jarring thud on the other side. A field mouse scurried for cover. Birds flew and scattered.

Bliss would be returning to Seattle in a few days, as soon as her father was married and off on his honeymoon. At that thought her heart twisted. She would miss this place; miss the freedom, the quiet nights, the smell of leather and horses, her father’s grumblings and the prospect of getting to know her half-sisters. But most of all, she’d miss Mason.

“Idiot,” she muttered as the barn, stables and outbuildings came into sight.