"Not now, Megan. It would be dinner time before I got them rounded up. We'll do it in the morning." With that, he whistled for Blue, then turned and went back to the house, his rigid posture telling her he was still furious.
She watched him go, knowing he was right, but frustrated beyond reason that he'd once again managed to make her feel like a fool. Darn it. She'd spent seven years getting her degree. She knew what she was doing. She could have gotten out of the way in plenty of time. Probably.
CHAPTER FIVE
"You'd better plan to stay another night," Logan said tightly when she stepped into the kitchen. "There's a big wreck on the highway through town. I just heard it on the scanner. It will take them a while to get it cleared." He didn't wait for a reply, just turned and went back to his office.
Megan looked at Carol and shrugged. "Fine with me, but doesn't he ever ask instead of issuing orders?"
"Nope. When he says jump, he expects everyone to ask how high. Most people do exactly that." Carol handed Megan a glass of tea and sat down at the table. "He's used to being in charge. He owns his own company and does very well. People listen to him and respect his decisions. He forgets that, out here, he isn't a hotshot entrepreneur. He's just Logan."
Megan dropped onto a chair and glared in the general direction of the study. "Well, I didn't spend the last seven years getting my degree just to have some man boss me around. If he's not careful, he may end up with a boot print on his butt."
Carol laughed out loud, her eyes twinkling. "I'd give just about anything to see that."
***
Logan disappeared into his office again as soon as the dinner dishes were cleared from the table. Katie was in Charlie's room watching television. Megan washed the table, then tossed the rag in the sink, still fuming over Logan's high-handed, bossy ways.
Carol put the last of the dishes in the dishwasher and closed the door. "Are you too tired to take a walk?"
With Logan closed up in his office, Megan had nothing else to do. She felt a little guilty about spending so little time with Carol, too, since she'd agreed to stay on the pretext of visiting with her friend. "No. I'd love to."
They stepped out into the deepening twilight and Megan stopped to watch the last of the sunset. "It's so beautiful out here."
"It is, but I miss my friends. We'd planned a trip to New York City for next week. I'd already bought my plane ticket when Dad had his stroke. I hate having to miss it." Carol frowned, then shook her head. "Oh, well. It's too late to worry about it now."
"Would you go if you had someone to help take care of Katie and your father?"
"Of course. But I'm the one who insisted Logan stay here to help me out. It wouldn't be fair to him for me to leave him to deal with a stranger."
They walked along in silence for a few minutes, but Megan's mind was racing. She didn't have anything planned for the next couple of weeks. If she stayed, Carol could go on her trip. The hardest part would be convincing Logan.
When they reached the neighboring ranch, Carol looked wistfully up the long driveway before she turned around to head back to the farm.
Curious, Megan asked, "Who lives there? That's a gorgeous house."
"Yeah, it is. It belongs to Jake Reilly. His parents passed away a couple of years ago, within a month of each other, and he inherited the ranch. I haven't seen him since their funeral."
"Is he someone special?" From the look on Carol's face, Megan thought she might have been hoping to see him tonight, but there was no one moving about the property.
"He used to be. We lost touch after I left for A & M. He was engaged the last time I saw him. He's probably married by now." She looked back one last time and sighed, then squared her shoulders and set a brisk pace down the dirt road.
***
Logan still hadn't emerged from the office by the time Carol went to bed, so Megan knocked on the door. When he barked out permission for her to enter, she pushed the door open. He sat behind an old, scarred oak desk with a laptop open in front of him. One hand rubbed absently at his temple as he read the screen.
He looked up when she stepped into the room. "Is something wrong?"
"No, everything's fine. I wondered if you had time to talk to me. If this isn't a good time, I can come back later."
He stretched, then linked his fingers behind his head and arched his back. "This is fine. Come on in and close the door." With a sigh he dropped his hands to the keyboard and made a few quick strokes. Then he closed the laptop and leaned back in his chair.
"I hope I'm not interrupting your work." All she needed was for him to be more irritated with her than he already was.
"No. I was just reading an email from my lawyer. He thinks I have a good chance of getting custody of Katie."
"That's wonderful."
"Yeah, it is. I've missed her terribly these last few months and this latest mess was the last straw. I can't believe her mother could be irresponsible enough to let her take off without even knowing where she was headed."
"Katie wasn't exactly honest with her, though."
"No, but when I found out Sue Ann's boyfriend was the one who bought Katie's ticket with her baby-sitting money, then dropped her off at the bus station without even making sure she got on the right bus, it made me even more determined to get custody. Her safety is at stake here."
Megan agreed completely. She'd been totally shocked when Katie had explained how she'd gotten on that bus.
"I'd better get off that subject before I get mad all over again. What did you want to talk to me about?" Logan leaned forward and gave her his complete attention.
Megan decided to get straight to the point while he seemed to be in a good mood. "Did you know Carol is giving up a trip to New York City with her friends to take care of you and your dad?"
He frowned and shook his head, then he winced and rubbed at his temple again. "She hasn't mentioned anything to me. When was she supposed to go?"
"Next week. She's already paid for her airline ticket, but she won't leave you here alone." Megan hoped Carol wouldn't resent her interference, but if Logan agreed, it would solve both of their problems. She'd get to stay, and Carol would get to go on her trip.
Maybe she should be asking herself why she wanted to stay so badly. Okay, she was attracted to Logan. Physically. But he was aggravating, stubborn, old-fashioned, opinionated, and he hated the very thing she wanted more than anything else.
So why did she want to get up and go rub his neck to try to relieve his headache? Why did she want to help him solve his problems? Why did she want so badly to prove herself to him? And why couldn't she get her mind off that kiss?
The questions were enough to give her a headache of her own.
Logan watched Megan's expressive face as she waited for his response. She had something on her mind beyond passing on information. And he had a feeling that something would mean more headaches for him. He suppressed a groan and the urge to bury his head in his hands. "So what do you want me to do about it?"
Megan looked up at him through her lashes, making his heart speed up. She really was pretty. Her skin had a freshly scrubbed glow, and freckles dusted the bridge of her nose.
"Well, I was thinking maybe I could stay until she got back. That way she could go and have a good time without worrying about things here."
Logan's headache intensified. That was exactly what he'd been afraid of. "No. Not a chance. I can take care of everything while she's gone. You need to get back to Dallas and do whatever it is you had planned for the summer."
"I don't have anything planned, not really. If I have my roommates send me some clothes, I can easily stay another week or two."
"No. You don't belong out here, Megan. I can handle things on my own."
Her jaw clenched and he could see the fight building in her eyes.
"You are the most stubborn man I've ever met. How are you going to take care of Katie and your father, and still do the chores? Have you thought about that? You're out in
the field all day. Do you think Katie is capable of taking care of the house, the meals, and your father? She's only twelve. That's too much to ask of her."
Knowing she was right didn't make the idea any easier to swallow. At least Carol had grown up out here. He didn't have to worry about her so much. "I'll hire someone to help out." Surely he could find an older woman who could use a little extra cash in exchange for cooking and caring for his family.
"Logan, be reasonable. I'm here, I'm willing, and Katie and your dad are comfortable with me. Why bring someone else in? And I'll do it for nothing."
"I just don't think..."
"That's just it. You're not thinking. Use some common sense here. Besides, Katie needs clothes. What do you know about shopping for a twelve year old girl?"
Not a thing. She had him on that one. But could he spend the next two weeks in her company without doing something stupid? Better yet, could she spend two weeks out here without getting into trouble? He didn't know, and he didn't really want to find out. But she was right, though it irked him to admit it.
"Fine. Two weeks. That's it. After that, you go back to Dallas. Got it?"
She nodded. "Yes. And Logan?"
"What?"
"Thank you. I promise you won't regret it."
Now why did that sound like a sure invitation for trouble?
***
Megan called Nancy the next morning to ask her to ship some of her clothes and gave her the address. Then she went to break the news to Carol.
"You're kidding? Logan actually agreed?" Carol's expression conveyed her surprise. "Hey, who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth?" She enveloped Megan in a hug. "Thank you. I can't wait to call my friends and let them know I'm going after all."
Megan laughed and took over scrambling the eggs for breakfast. "Go call them. I can finish up here."
With a grateful smile, Carol headed for the living room.
A few minutes later Katie entered the kitchen, still in her pajamas. "Who's Aunt Carol talking to so early?"
Megan told her about the change in plans.
"Cool. It'll be fun."
"Well, I won't have time to play. Someone has to stay here with your grandfather. But before Carol leaves, you and I are going shopping. You need clothes and things to last you through the summer."
Katie grinned and started setting the table. "I'm glad you're going to take me. Dad has absolutely no sense of style."
"Hey, I resemble that remark."
Logan walked in, his face freshly shaved, smelling so good Megan would have been more than happy to have him for breakfast instead of eggs and sausage.
Katie giggled. "Well, it's true. Do you remember the dress you sent me?"
"Hey, what was wrong with that dress? I thought it was the perfect Easter outfit." Logan plopped into a chair and pulled Katie into his lap, sending her into fits of giggles when he tickled her.
"Maybe for a two year old." She looked up at Megan and rolled her eyes. "It was this stiff and scratchy pink stuff, all flounces and ruffles. Mom nearly died when she saw it. Said I'd wear it over her dead body."
Megan laughed. "Organza. That stuff was all the rage back in the fifties. I didn't know they even sold dresses like that now. My mom had one when she was a kid."
Logan watched the easy way his daughter talked to Megan. He couldn't remember Katie ever being that comfortable with Sue Ann. Shoot, he couldn't remember ever being as comfortable around Sue Ann as he was around Megan. When she wasn't trying to scare him half to death, that is.
At least, while Carol was gone, Megan would have to spend most of her time in the house. She couldn't get into trouble there. Could she? But he could almost feel his wallet emptying as he listened to Katie list everything she'd need for the summer.
Carol came back into the room, her face beaming with happiness. "We're all set. We leave Monday, and I can't wait. Melissa has tickets to a Broadway play for all of us, and we have reservations at '21'. This is going to be the trip of a lifetime." She kissed Logan's cheek. "Thank you."
***
Logan handed Megan his credit card as she and Katie prepared to leave for their shopping trip. "Do me a favor and keep a close eye on Katie, okay?"
"Sure. I won't let her out of my sight. Is there something I should know about?"
Logan rubbed a hand across his face. "Something her mother said has been bothering me."
"What was it?" Megan glanced toward Katie, who was just out of earshot, playing with Blue.
"It's probably nothing. She told me not to get too smug about winning this round. She was mad about Katie coming to find me and she figured I had something to do with her running away. She shut up when I told her about her boyfriend's part in it, but it still worries me."
"There's no way Sue Ann would know where we're going, but I won't let Katie out of my sight, anyway. I'll take good care of her."
"Thanks."
She looked up and waited until he met her gaze. "Thank you."
He cocked his head and lifted a brow. "What for?"
"For trusting me with your daughter."
***
Megan and Katie returned after dark, the car loaded with packages. Logan was on the porch before Megan had turned off the ignition. Katie opened her door and jumped out, then ran to her father. "Wait till you see all the stuff we got. Megan is a blast to shop with. And we didn't even burn up your credit card."
Logan pulled her in for a hug. "I'll bet you melted it just a little bit, though, didn't you?"
Katie giggled. "Well, it got a little warm from going through the machine so many times, but I think it will still work. Megan bought herself some clothes, too, but she wouldn't put it on your account like you told her to."
He looked up when Megan stepped onto the porch. "Why didn't you charge your clothes to me? I told you I'd buy them since you're staying to help us out."
"Because I didn't need that much, and because I'm staying as much for my own benefit as for yours." And because I don't want to feel obligated, she thought.
Logan shook his head in bewilderment. "Women. I don't think I'll ever get it right."
"That's okay, Daddy. That's why God made us--to help guys like you figure things out." Katie stuck her tongue out at her dad, then screeched when he rubbed his knuckles on the top of her head.
"Brat. Let's get this stuff unloaded. Aunt Carol made homemade ice cream and your grandfather is waiting for you to come share a bowl with him."
Katie raced for the back of the car. "Cool."
Logan put a hand on Megan's arm when she started down the steps. "Any trouble in town?"
Megan shook her head. "None at all. Don't worry. I don't see how Sue Ann could get to Katie. She's never alone. She'll be okay."
He nodded and let her precede him down the steps. As they reached the car, a pair of headlights swung into the driveway. "Who would be coming out here this late?" He walked past the car, putting himself between his daughter and the approaching vehicle.
Megan joined him, curious about the visitors. When the car stopped and Nancy jumped out of the passenger side, she groaned. "Oh, no."
"You know her?" Logan looked at her questioningly.
"Yeah, I'm afraid so. But how on earth did they find their way out here?"
Nancy walked up, a huge grin on her face. "Well, well. Now I know why you haven't been in any hurry to come back. Hello, Cowboy." Her voice was a low, sexy purr when she addressed Logan.
Jean climbed out of the car and joined them. "I'm sorry, Megan. I tried to talk her out of it, but she insisted on bringing your clothes to you instead of shipping them."
Nancy sidled closer to Logan and batted her lashes. "Shipping takes too long. I figured she needed them right away. Besides, I wanted to see what was keeping her out here in the middle of nowhere."
"Excuse me. Megan, do you want to introduce us?" Logan asked quietly.
"I'm sorry." In more ways than one, she thought. "Logan, this is Nancy, and that's Jean. They're you
r other tenants. My roommates." Turning to the pair, she said, "Y'all already know Katie. This is her father, Logan Tanner. Your landlord." She hoped Nancy caught her subtle hint, but there wasn't a subtle bone in Nancy's body.
"My, my. I knew they grew them big in Texas, but I had no idea how big," Nancy drawled.
"I take it you're not from around here." Logan took a few steps back until he was positioned behind Megan.
"No, honey. I'm from Alabama. And believe me, the male species isn't nearly as interesting back home."
Megan grabbed Nancy's arm and led her toward the house. "Come on. Leave the poor man alone. You guys can wait inside while we unload the car, then you've got some explaining to do."
CHAPTER SIX
Logan left the house at daybreak to avoid his unwanted guests. It had been too late to insist they find a motel for the night, but he wanted them gone as soon as they'd finished breakfast. He seemed to be the only one who felt that way, though. Even his father had been delighted when they went in to meet him, bowls of ice cream in hand.
He tossed a bale of hay from the back of his dad's old truck. Damn. He was outnumbered. Now he had five females to watch out for. And there was no way he could be everywhere, which almost guaranteed someone was going to get into trouble.
He hoisted another bale and pitched it over the tailgate. Sweat dripped into his eyes and he impatiently wiped it away with the back of his hand. He jumped from the bed of the truck and grabbed his water jug, drinking deeply before pouring some on his handkerchief to wipe his face and neck.
"It sure is hot out here, isn't it, Cowboy?"
Logan almost jumped out of his skin. He turned too fast and nearly knocked Nancy off her feet. "What are you doing out here? Didn't Megan tell you to stay in the house?"
"She might have," Nancy purred as she ran a finger down the buttons of his shirt, "but I don't do what Megan tells me to. I do what feels right for me."
"Look, this isn't a game. You could get hurt out here." He pointed at her blood-red toenails. "Look at those shoes. No toes, high heels. Nothing but trouble."
"Worried about me, Cowboy? How sweet. But you don't need to. I'm a big girl."
He didn't like the way she said that. Maybe he could scare her back to the house. "Do you know anything about coral snakes?"