“I came up from Texas to work the Trails West Ranch.” He made a motion with his head to the west, wondering why he hadn’t told her he was co-owner of the family ranch. Because it was none of her business.

“I take it the ranch is down the road apiece?” she asked with a grin. “Everything up here seems to be down the road apiece.”

He couldn’t tell if she was having fun at his expense or not. Whatever she was doing, she seemed to be enjoying herself and he kind of liked her when she wasn’t on her high horse.

She wiped a hand across her forehead, skin glistening in the heat, and left a smudge of dirt just above one finely sculpted eyebrow. It made her look a little less in control, something he thought probably rare.

“Mind if I ask what you’re planning to do here?” He gestured toward the house.

“Just going to take a look around, then put the place up for sale. I inherited it sight unseen and was just curious.”

“Inherited it, huh. Is your family from around here?”

“No. Would you be interested in buying the property?”

He noticed the way she had quickly changed the subject. “Might be interested. So you aren’t related to the Beaumonts?”

“Did you know the woman who lived here? The one who was murdered?”

“Before my time.” Russell was getting tired of her not answering his questions, but then again, who was he to ask? He started to leave, but couldn’t help himself. “If you’re determined to go in there, you should know the floors might be rotted through, rattlers probably have nested inside, not to mention bats and mice and every other rodent known to man.”

She cocked her head at him. “You like scaring me, don’t you?”

“Just trying to give you some friendly advice, which is clear you aren’t going to heed.” He took a step back, telling himself that no matter what she said or did, he was out of there. She wasn’t his responsibility.

“Thanks for the advice,” Dulcie said to his retreating backside. Not a bad backside. For the first time, she understood the expression “cowboy swagger.”

The man was blessed. Not only did he have the looks, he came fully equipped with broad, strong shoulders, slim hips and long legs. And damn but didn’t he look good in his Western attire.

She couldn’t help grinning as she watched him kick a small stone with the toe of his boot, sending it flying into the sizzling heat. Her grin broadened as she listened to him mutter under his breath just as he had last time.

“Stop by anytime,” she called after him and smiled as she watched him swing a leg over his four-wheeler, crank up the engine and take off without a backward glance, the tires throwing gravel.