“A deal’s a deal,” he reminded her, his expression intractable.

She saw then, what she should have recognized before. Harlan Adams had a will of iron when it came to the things he wanted. What worried her was that she’d just had unmistakable evidence that what he wanted was her.

6

Harlan was up before dawn the morning following his dinner with Janet and Jenny. By six he was pacing the front porch from end to end, wondering if they would show up and if they did, what kind of reception he might get.

He’d cursed himself a dozen different ways on the drive home the night before. As much as he’d been aching to kiss Janet, he never should have taken a chance on doing it where Jenny could walk in on them. Even a fool would have been smarter than that.

Now, not only had he put his relationship with the intriguing Janet Runningbear at risk, but it seemed likely he’d spoiled the fragile rapport he’d been building with her daughter.

When he finally heard the sound of an engine in the distance, his spirits soared, then crashed just as quickly when he saw that it was Cody’s red pickup barreling down the lane.

Just what he needed. He doubted there was a chance in hell he could keep his perceptive son from guessing what was on his mind. And if Cody picked up on his mood, he’d be offering unsolicited advice to the lovelorn and enjoying every minute of it.

“Aren’t you supposed to be up north today, checking those fence lines?” Harlan grumbled as Cody approached. “You’re getting a mighty late start.”

Cody eyed him warily. “You roll out on the wrong side of the bed, Daddy?”

“No, it’s just that we could lose a lot of the herd if that fence doesn’t get taken care of. I shouldn’t have to be telling you a thing like that.”

“I’m aware of what’s at stake,” Cody retorted as carefully as if he’d unwittingly walked into a mine field. “Which is why I sent Mac and Luis up there first thing yesterday morning. I didn’t want to wait for today.”

“Oh,” Harlan said, and fell silent. It took everything in him, but he kept his gaze averted from the lane.

“How’s Melissa?” he asked eventually since his son didn’t seem inclined to venture any further conversation. He couldn’t say he blamed him, given the reception he’d gotten so far.

“Fine.”

“And Sharon Lynn and the baby?”

“Fine. Just about the same as when you saw them in church yesterday morning.”

Harlan shrugged. “Never can tell with kids, though.”

“True,” Cody said, then suddenly chuckled.

Harlan scowled at him. “What’s so blasted amusing?”

“You,” Cody said. “What’s the matter? Haven’t they shown up yet?”

“Who?”