Janet denied his assessment with a quick shake of her head. “You’re wrong. I know who I don’t want to be anymore. I don’t want to be a big city lawyer, living in a pressure cooker. I don’t want to go to parties because I might meet someone important,” she said pointedly, then added with a touch of wistfulness, “But I’m still discovering who I am.”

Harlan listened to all that intently, then asked softly, “Any room in the picture for a rancher?”

The direct question took her by surprise. Her heart thumped unsteadily as she considered all the implications of what he was asking. “Maybe,” she said eventually, her gaze locked with his.

“That’s good enough,” he said quietly. “For now.”

She finally forced herself to break eye contact by feigning a sudden interest in a fancy denim outfit.

“Janet,” Harlan said, drawing her attention back to him. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned the past few years it’s that life is unpredictable and often far too short. Don’t get the idea I’m going to leave you much room to maneuver for long.”

Her breath caught in her throat at the silky tone. “Is that a threat?”

He touched his fingers to her cheek in a light caress that set off fireworks in her midsection.

“It’s a promise,” he declared, then winked. “Now, try on that outfit you’ve been eyeing since we walked in the door. And while you’re at it, take a look at that skirt and blouse with the sparkly doodads on it.”

“Rhinestones?” she teased.

“That’s the one. Looks perfect for square dancing.”

“We’re going to be dancing on Saturday?”

“Darlin’, you can’t have a big to-do in this part of the world and call it a party, unless there’s dancing.”

“I had no idea.”

“That’s why you have me,” he reassured her. “I’m going to see to it that you fit right in in no time.”

“I do so admire a man with a mission,” she said as she grabbed the selected clothes off the racks and carried them into a nearby dressing room.

Inside the room, she shut the door and leaned against it, drawing in a deep breath. With every single minute she spent in Harlan Adams’s company, she realized she was coming closer and closer to losing her heart. The day when she would have to choose between that and her own personal mission was clearly just around the corner.