"You're going to do what?"

Sarah Maxwell gazed at her cousin's mutinous expression, willing her to understand. "Rafe's reputation is in shreds since I left. I need, deep in my soul, to set things right. Please try to understand, Pipi, I have to go back."

"Back into the lion's den." Pipi shook her head. "Listen to me, cuz. You'll be going on a fool's errand. You don't think the man will actually take you back with open arms after you deserted him on your wedding night three weeks ago do you?"

"Rafe's housekeeper is going on a long deserved vacation. I'm all set to fill in for her at the ranch."

"So she's the one who's been feeding you all these gloom and doom stories about him." Pipi scowled. "It could be a set up you know."

"No, Rafe's not that devious." Sarah added sadly, "He can't even tell a decent white lie. That's how I found out that he doesn't really love me. He only married me because of my family connections."

Pipi shook her head. "You, a housekeeper? I can't picture it."

Sarah shrugged. "How hard can it be? You mop a few floors, open a few cans. I should even have enough spare time to finish the series of endangered species photos I was working on. It's the best work I've ever done and my editor said it could lead to some prestigious work."

"That's just an excuse, Sarah, and you know it. You aren't responsible for ruining the cowboy any more than your mother was responsible for ruining your father. That was all our grumpy old grandfather's imagination. You can't fix the past by doing this."

"That's not why." Sarah noted Pipi's disbelief and sighed. "Maybe that's part of it, but the plain truth is I love the hardheaded, stubborn cowboy and I can't see his life ruined."

"Somebody's sure in an all fired hurry, boss."

Rafe leaned forward in his rocker. His fatigue after a long dusty day on the range melted as he watched the silver Jeep Cherokee kick up a plume of dust in its wake. It sped toward them down the long ranch driveway. "It's the wife."

"Wife." Zeke Taylor, his ranch foreman, made the word sound like a curse. "I can't believe she has the guts to show her face around here after hightailing it on your wedding night."

Rafe noted the sour expression on Zeke's wizened face, but ignored it. This wasn't up for debate. "I want you to spread the word. She's to be treated with respect."

"I don't get it. The woman runs roughshod over you and you're going to lay out the red carpet for her."

"Don't worry about it, Zeke." Rafe smiled, adding confidently, "I've got everything under control this time around."

"What you plannin' to do, sweet talk her into sticking around this time?" Zeke scowled and spat on the ground.

Rafe shook his head, his jaw tightening. "No, it'll take more than sweet talk to bind a saddle shy filly like Sarah to my side. Don't you worry, I've got her figured out and before she knows it I'll have her tied to my side."

Zeke slowly got up from the creaky rocker, slapping his battered Stetson against his leg. "I hope you know what you're doing, boy."

"So do I," Rafe said softly as he watched Zeke stomp toward the bunk house. He had to make this work. His future depended on it.

The Jeep came to a halt amid a cloud of dust. The inevitability of the moment hit him hard. He never doubted that one day Sarah would return, and when she did he would be the one in control. But first, before they settled down to domestic bliss, he planned to extract a little payback. Sarah got out of the jeep and Rafe swallowed the lump in his throat. Dying embers of the sun caught the golden highlights in her long, red hair, turning it to molten fire.

As she walked toward him, Rafe was struck anew by the confident way she moved. That was what had attracted him in the first place six short weeks ago when she'd come to the area to shoot a series on the Grand Teton wildlife.

Rafe noted the proud angle of her chin and the keen intelligence in her sparkling green eyes. Dealing with her was going to be a challenge. And oh, how he loved challenges. The first moment they met, he'd known he had to have her and he almost had until she ran off on their wedding night. Three weeks later he still wasn't sure what spooked her, but he knew the best way to treat a spooked filly was put blinders on her. Instead Rafe put up a blinder of a small white lie. Sure it was true that there'd been unmerciful gossip, but he could take it. And yes, his expansion loan had been turned down but there were ways to keep from selling up.

Rafe knew that Sarah's sense of honor would make her come back to right a wrong and he intended to capitalize on her integrity. He studied her as he would any opponent. There was strength in the proud angle of her chin, and a keen intelligence in her sparkling green eyes.

Rafe sat motionlessly in the shadows of the porch and watched her stride falter as she neared the steps. He could almost feel her instinctive desire to turn tail and run as she gazed up at him. His fist tightened on the rocking chair arm, awaiting her decision. Sarah took the first porch step and Rafe leaned back, letting out an imperceptible sigh.

He tilted his head back, snagging her gaze as she drew near. "It's mighty nice of you to come a' calling, wife. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

Sarah frowned, her chin raising defiantly. "I can see that you're not surprised to see me. Rose must have filled you in on our conversation."

"That's right." He kept a tight reign on his feelings as he watched the play of emotion across her expressive face. "So you want to sign on as my housekeeper. Have you got any references?"

"It's no joking matter, Rafe." Sarah scowled at him. "To put it bluntly, I've come to save your reputation. Now do you want my help or not?"

Rafe slowly got to his feet, he could feel her simmering resentment. But he felt something else as well--the unrequited passion that hung between them. He heard her indrawn breath as he brushed by her and opened the door. "Why don't we take this inside, wife? There's no need to give the hands any more food for gossip."

Sarah nodded and briskly walked through the door with Rafe at her heels.

"Let's go into the study," he directed.

Rafe followed her. The door clicked shut behind him with soft finality. He watched Sarah's shoulders tense before she turned to face him, her expression enigmatic.

Rafe hastened to relieve her mind. "Don't worry, wife, there aren't going to be any tearful recriminations. I'm willing to let bygones be bygones."

Sarah wrinkled her nose. "That's very magnanimous of you. As you know, I've heard about your alleged problems. I've come to offer you a deal."

"Do tell." Rafe straightened and sauntered toward her. She backed away, coming to rest against his desk. Rafe inhaled her scent and his senses went into overload. She drew in a tremulous breath. He watched the pulse flicker at the base of her throat, recalling it was where she dabbed herself with perfume. He was ever so tempted to nuzzle that sweet spot.

She gulped. "Yes, well, I've heard that you've been having some problems since we split."

"You mean since you tore out of here in our wedding night like your tail was on fire." Rafe closed the gap between them, put his hands on her waist and lifted her onto the desk.

She gasped and Rafe smiled, pleased by her response. Oh yes, she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. He couldn't help focusing on her slightly parted lips. It brought back memories, thoughts of when he'd tasted that intriguing line.

Sarah shimmied back and smoothed her skirt down. "Stop that! I didn't come here to be manhandled. As I was saying, I'm prepared to help you out under certain conditions..."

"What's in it for you?"

Sarah hesitated, biting her lip. "My editor has been clamoring for the series I started shooting. I could finish it in addition to my housekeeping duties."

"Hmm..." Rafe's index finger slid along Sarah's silky calf, drawing an outraged glower from her. He watched her shake her hair back over her shoulder. What would it look like spread out on his pillow? That he'd never found out was one of his many regrets. But he intended to rectify the error soon. "So we both win. That's mighty generous of you, wife. Just what did you have in mind?"

"Like I said before, I've come back to save your reputation. I'll fill in for Rose for the next two weeks. People will just assume we've gotten back together. The talk will die down. I'll finish my series and then I can quietly slip out of town."

He frowned at her eager tone. Could she dismiss him that easily? "Just like that, huh?"

She quickly added. "Of course, there can't be any intimacy between us."

Rafe shook his head. "I wouldn't be too sure about that, wife. We do have a natural attraction, just like a couple of magnets."

"You don't love me." Sarah glared up at him. "So this attraction you mention is meaningless. What we had was just physical on your part. Sooner or later it'll go away."

Rafe sighed as his suspicions were confirmed. "So that's why you left. Because I didn't give you the words."

"Among other things, important things..." Sarah sighed and said wistfully, "We just won't work, Rafe. I thought a sudden break would be less painful."

Sensing her vulnerability, he closed in for the kill. "Because you love me."

Sarah shrugged and looked away. "Don't worry about it. I'll get over it."

Rafe trapped her chin with his callused fingers, holding her still while he studied her face. She looked as panicked as a deer caught in a car's headlights. She was regretting her decision to come back. He could see it in her startled gaze. But he couldn't let her get away again. He didn't think he could take it if she did. "It's actions that count, to me the words are meaningless. And your actions hurt me, a lot."

Sarah closed her eyes. "I wanted to do the right thing. But I guess it was a mistake to come here, sorry."

Rafe muttered a curse. Damn, he'd pushed her too far. He dropped his hands to his side. "It wasn't a mistake. I do need your help. But I have certain conditions."

Sarah opened her eyes, her expression brightening. "Such as?"

He held up one finger. "First, if you're going to give me back my reputation, it's got to look real."

She nodded. "Of course, within reason."

Rafe eyed her sourly. "Word spread when you ran off screaming on our wedding night. People started speculating on what kind of kinky things I might have tried on you. A few even wondered whether I was over-endowed. Some tried to find out."

Sarah's mouth kicked up in a startled grin as she thought of other men trying to sneak peeks at him in the men's room. She bit her lip but a giggle escaped. "After three weeks, I'm sure the talk must have died down."

"Not in a small town like Shelbyville, especially with you coming back. The telephone lines are probably buzzing."

"I never thought of that." She let out a dismayed sigh.

Rafe nodded. "I did. Like I said, it's got to look real."

Her eyes narrowed. "How real?"

"Here's the deal. You move in with me for the rest of the summer. By then the talk will have died down. That should also give you plenty of time to complete your series." Rafe tilted his head, studying her reaction.

"Three months is a heck of a lot longer than I was counting on." Sarah scooted back on the desk. "I can't spend the rest of the summer here. I do have a life of my own, you know." She sighed then said resignedly, "I guess this isn't going to work..."

"Ever hear of a little thing called grand theft auto?" Rafe asked dryly.

"What do you mean?" Sarah's head shot up and she gazed at him warily.

Rafe smiled grimly. "You stole my truck when you ran off."

"That old rattle trap wasn't worth a grand." She scowled up at him. "The thing is held together with bailing wire and string. I just borrowed it to get to the airport. And besides, you got it back, didn't you? I saw it standing out in the yard."

Rafe shrugged. "That's not how the sheriff saw it when I reported it missing that night."

She gasped. "You called the cops on me. I can't believe you would do such a dastardly thing."

"I wasn't exactly in a sweet, understanding mood." A nerve pulsed in his jaw as he gazed at her. "That night I would have done anything to retrieve you."

Sarah frowned up at him, her chin rising with defiance. "It's a good thing there's been some cooling off time in the interim."

"You're darned right it's a good thing," Rafe said firmly. "Otherwise I might be tempted to turn you over my knee."

Sarah snorted. "Mr. Halliday, sexist remarks like that aren't going to win my good will."

He shrugged. "That's what you get for picking an unenlightened rancher like me for a husband. Now shall I call the sheriff, or are you staying?"

Sarah bit her lip. "You wouldn't call him."

"Try me."

"You win, but you don't play fair, cowboy," she said sourly while glaring at him.

Rafe turned away saying, "I don't play at all."

"So when do you want to begin this great deception?"

He turned back. "There's no time like the present."

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Just how am I supposed to convince people we're a real couple?"

Rafe smiled triumphantly. "For starters, you're going to be a perfect ranch wife. Or at least as perfect as you can be with your limited abilities. You're also going to act like I'm the hottest thing in pants you've ever seen."

"That's a stretch." Sarah ignored Rafe's disapproving glower and stood up.

"That brings me to item number two," he said. "You owe me a wedding night. I intend to collect."

Sarah poked his chest with her index finger. "No way. There is absolutely no way I'm going to sleep with you!"

Rafe smiled back at Sarah like a cat with a bowl of cream. "Sure you are, sweet Sarah. You want me as much as I want you. You won't be able to resist the temptation."

• • •

"Where do you think you're going?"

Sarah stopped in her tracks half way to the study door, and turned toward Rafe. She noted the challenge in his dark eyes, and the way a muscle twitched in his tight jaw. Even if she wanted to escape, there was no way he would let her. It was a good thing she had no intention to do so. "I'm going out to the car to get my things."

Rafe took a step toward her. "I'll help you."

Sarah turned away, avoiding his penetrating gaze. "No thanks, there isn't that much to carry." She heard his boots thud on the wood floor as he followed her, and groaned. He didn't even trust her not to run away. The knowledge that she'd caused him so much pain appalled her.

She grabbed her duffel bag out of the passenger side of the Jeep and glanced back toward the house. Rafe was leaning against a post in the shadows, watching her. He thought she was going to bolt. She could see it in his eyes. And he had good reason to doubt her word. He conjured up the image of a coiled lariat, prepared to reach out and snag her. She hesitated for a moment, suddenly unsure of her ability to handle him.

He pushed away from the porch railing as she walked up the steps. "Is that it?"

"I travel light," Sarah said following him into the living room.

"So I see. I'll show you to our room."

He must have heard her quickly indrawn breath because he turned to look at her. "Our room?" she asked, eyes narrowed. He didn't think she was going to capitulate that easily, did he? She might be in love but she wasn't stupid.

Rafe frowned. "What did you expect? We can't make people believe we're a couple if we sleep in separate rooms, can we?"

She studied his implacable expression for a moment. His line of reasoning was correct, even if it did irk her. "No, I suppose not. But I'm not sleeping with you. I told you that before. Remember?"

A smile played about the edges of his hard mouth. "I know what you said. And if you'll think back, you'll recall that I said you won't be able to resist the temptation."

"Your ego is about to take a beating. You, sir, are very resistible. And you don't have to show me the way to the bedroom. I remember where it is." Sarah strode past him, totally embarrassed by what she'd blurted out. Good heavens, she'd have to watch her tongue around him. Reminding him of their wedding night was a dumb move.

She opened the door to the master bedroom, feeling as if she were caught in a time warp. This was where it had all gone wrong three weeks ago. Rafe had carried her into this room on their wedding night. He'd left her alone to get ready for bed as he went in search of champagne. On the bed she'd found an envelope addressed to her lying on the bed. It explained in no uncertain terms that Rafe had married her for her business connections. She didn't know who had tipped her off and in the end it didn't really matter.

Rafe wanted to convert part of the ranch into a country inn and Sarah was the granddaughter of Samuel Maxwell, who owned a worldwide consortium of hotels and inns. It was a match made in heaven.

Then she noticed a rolled up blueprint on the dresser and unrolled it to find the conversion drawings. She went to confront Rafe and overheard him telling Zeke that his plan to add a dude ranch was going to move forward. In that cold moment of realization, her dream world shattered.

So she ran off into the night, just as Rafe had said. She'd run as far and as fast as she could go, using her credit cards to buy a plane ticket. She even fell so low as to allow her grandfather's lawyers to brush off Rafe's inquiries. She was told that Grandfather said he was disappointed that she'd taken up with a common rancher, but it was understandable considering the stock she'd come from.

Sarah sucked in a deep breath and entered the room. It was no good dwelling on the past. This was a different place and time. She was determined to set things right and walk away even if it did break her heart. It was better than love with strings attached.

Rafe walked into the bedroom behind her. "I cleared out a few drawers for you."

Sarah laid her bag on the bed and pulled out a bunch of wadded up garments. She glanced at Rafe. His face was a gambler's face, closed and calculating. Not wanting to delve too deeply into his emotions, Sarah turned away and went to the closet. "Thanks, but I probably won't need all the space."

The bed creaked as Rafe sat down on it. Sarah could feel his gaze on her as she shook out a green dress and hung it up. She walked back to her bag, only inches from Rafe, and hesitated for a moment with her hand on a stack of frothy undergarments, unwilling to share such intimate things with him. She glanced at Rafe. There was a softness in his brown eyes, and a slightly dazed expression on his handsome face. The sensual awareness that sizzled between them took her breath away.

Suddenly he frowned and got to his feet. "I've got some paperwork to do. I'll be back in half an hour."

Sarah could only gape at him when he strode from the room as if the devil himself were on his heels. She finished putting her few things away. It didn't take long. In her line of work as a nature photographer, she had to be able to move quickly.

Rafe strode down the hall and made his way to his study. His hand shook as he shut the door behind him. Oh, God, how he ached to throw her on the bed and ease his frustrations inside her beautiful body. And she'd like it too, he knew she would. He stalked over to the desk and slumped into his desk chair. To have her in his lair, smell her perfume, brush up against her, was almost more than he could handle.

He jerked open the bottom desk drawer and pulled out the bottle of whiskey he had stashed inside. Reaching for a glass, he poured out two fingers of the amber liquid. He brought the glass to his lips, swirling the liquor around and inhaling its intoxicating aroma. Gazing unseeing into its honeyed depths, he saw the fiery flash of her green witchy eyes, and the pouty curve of her mouth. Would her lips still have the potent kick of the alcohol? He groaned at the tantalizing thought, and closed his eyes. Shifting his hips, he tried to loosen the hold his jeans had on his burgeoning erection.

Scowling, he slammed down the glass, splashing his hand with whiskey. Dammit, he wasn't going to turn into a love sick fool over her again. Last time, she'd nearly cost him his sanity. Picking up the bottle of whiskey, he stuffed it back into the desk drawer. He wasn't going to let the little witch in the bedroom make him weak, either.

He wiped his hand on his jeans, stretching his legs out in front of him. His gaze fell on the paper lying on the desk top. He picked up the document and scowled at it again, although he knew the words by heart. That skunk, Nevell Blackthorn, had been a burr in his side since they were kids. And now the polecat was trying to force him to sell the ranch. Rafe crumpled the offer from the realtor. He'd see Blackthorn in hell before he'd fork over the deed to the Double-H to him.

He threw the paper in the trash and leaned back to think of a more attractive subject. Sweet Sarah, with her witchy eyes, soft sexy body, and fiery hair. Would she be just as hot? He smiled at the thought because he was going to do his best to find out.

Sarah gathered her sleep wear and went into the bathroom to change. She wasn't willing to take the risk of Rafe walking in on her.

When she came out, Rafe was sitting on the bed, pulling off his boots. He did a double take when he saw her. "What in the heck are you wearing?"

Sarah smiled and glanced down at her red long johns. "My pajamas." She walked around him and got into bed.

"It looks like an old union suit that's seen better days." Rafe frowned at her obstinate smile. "In case you haven't noticed, it gets kind of hot around here in the summertime. You're going to roast in that thing."

She decided sourly that he looked as disappointed as a child being denied a piece of candy.

"Tough, it's what I feel like wearing to bed." She watched him unbutton his shirt, pulling the tails free of his jeans. When he unsnapped his fly, she cleared her throat. "Aren't you going to go into the bathroom to change?"

"Nope."

The wicked twinkle in Rafe's eyes made Sarah grit her teeth. He was well aware of the effect he had on her nerves and he was enjoying it. The rat! She laid down and turned her back to him, determined to hide how rattled she was. As the covers were flipped back, she cautiously glanced over her shoulder. Rafe was standing there, naked as the day he was born. Good heavens, he was magnificent.

"Slide over, Princess, I'm ready for bed."

"Naked?" Sarah squeaked and sat up. Rafe's nude body was everything her imagination had conjured up, in spades.

"That's right. Nothing is what I feel like wearing. Any objections?"

"Suit yourself. Makes no difference to me." She clung to the her side of the bed, feeling it sag as he climbed in. He took up way too much room, making her feel terribly small and vulnerable. She watched his muscles ripple as he reached across her to turn out the light. As his chest brushed against her breasts, she gasped. He smiled down at her, a gunfighter's smile, cool and certain of victory. Sarah shrank away from the contact and turned her head.

"What, no goodnight kiss?" he asked.

Sarah glared up at him. There was a need in his eye that didn't correspond with his mocking tone. "Dream on, buddy."

It was going to be a long night.

Sarah felt the bed move. She murmured in her sleep and rolled over. Something shook her shoulder, but she ignored it. A swat to her bottom made her sit up in bed. Rafe was already dressed and there was a strained look on his face.

"What did you do that for?" she sputtered.

"It's time to start your new life as Mrs. Raphael Halliday, wife. Rise and shine."

Sarah yawned. "What time is it?"

"Four-thirty. Mrs. Murphy starts breakfast right about now. If you plan to take over her duties you'd better get a move on. You do know how to cook, don't you?"

Sarah frowned. She glanced up and saw the crease between his mouth and cheek deepen as he smiled in response. "Don't worry. You won't starve."

Rafe grinned. "It's not me I'm worried about, it's the hands. They're used to Rose's good home cooking. I don't want them to up and quit after they get a taste of yours. Good hands are hard to find."

Sarah yawned, then scowled up at his smiling face. Maybe being a housekeeper wouldn't be the snap she'd expected. "So cold cereal and toast isn't what they're used to?"

"Afraid not, sugar. They want a hot hearty breakfast and they want it in an hour." His brown eyes twinkled. "Think you can handle it, wife?"

"Stop calling me that," she grumped back at him. "You stink, Halliday, you know that?" His answering smile made her grit her teeth. "Get out of here so I can get dressed." She scowled at Rafe as he walked to the door. His cocky attitude made her blood boil!

He'd been right. Sleeping in the long johns had been a bad idea. She'd roasted all night. But roasting wasn't half as bad as lying next to Rafe and not reaching over to hold him. She had spent weeks fantasizing about what sleeping with him would be like. Now when she had the chance, she couldn't let herself touch him. If she did, she had a feeling she'd be trapped. And would that be so bad? a little voice in her head echoed.

Rafe stopped in the doorway and turned to look at her. "Time's a wasting. You won't have time to primp and preen in front of the mirror this morning."

Sarah threw her pillow at him. It bounced off his head.

Rafe grinned, picked it up and lobbed it back at her. "If you wanted to play, you should have done it while I was still in bed. Although you're about as sexy as old Zeke, dressed in that union suit."

Sarah glanced down at her red long johns as she heard the door close. They were warm and serviceable, and about as sexy as warm mush. That was why she'd chosen them. She'd used them to ward him off like garlic with a vampire.

Sarah was hastily scraping the burned bits off a stack of frazzled toast when she heard a step behind her. She made to hide the evidence behind her and then gave it up as a lost cause. How could you hide a disaster as big as the Titanic?

She turned to glance over her shoulder, blowing a sweaty tendril of hair away from her damp face. Rafe stood in the middle of the kitchen, hands on his hips, eyebrows raised, as he surveyed the mess. Sarah resisted the urge to throw a piece of burned toast at him, and reminded herself that it had been her idea to save his reputation.

"Well, what did you expect? I didn't say how well I could cook. Especially not for twelve hungry hands at five in the morning, for Pete's sake."

A smile curved the edges of his mouth. "I didn't know it was possible to burn oatmeal." He looked into a large pot on the range that was sending up whiffs of smoke then glanced back at her. "It is oatmeal, isn't it?"

Sarah's ire increased at his amused tone. "Yes, it's oatmeal. This is starting to look like a pretty rotten deal from my end of things, Halliday. I'm not so sureI'm housekeeper material."

The smile left his face. "You'd better try, Sarah. You were going to be a perfect ranch wife, remember? Did you at least make coffee?"

She scowled at his overly patient tone. "Of course, I'm not that big of a screw up."

He nodded. "I'll carry the urn into the dining hall. You grab some bowls. We'll have to make do with burned oatmeal this morning. Lunch can be cold sandwiches and lemonade but by supper time you'd better have figured out how to cook."

"Or else what?" Sarah asked suspiciously as they walked into the dining hall.

He smiled at her surly tone. "Or else you're going to be sitting across from a passel of ornery, starving cowboys."

Sarah cringed at the thought. "Actually I figured I'd take my meals in the kitchen."

"Well then you figured wrong. We eat together like one big happy family."

He went back to the kitchen and made one last trip to the dining hall with the platter of scorched toast.

Sarah sighed as she viewed the unappetizing mess. Well at least she'd made enough to feed an army. Which was what she was feeding, judging from the sound of a dozen pairs of boots coming toward them down the hallway.

Rafe reached out to take her hand drawing her to his side when she would sooner have backed out of the room. "Remember," he said softly, "you promised to make this look real."

Sarah looked up at his hard face uneasily and wondered how she could have ever thought a tough hombre like him needed rescuing. Quickly, she turned her attention from his enigmatic expression to the ranch hands that were filing into the room.

"Well, I'll be damned, will you look at that god-awful spread."

Sarah glanced at the speaker, a young cowboy barely out of his teens.

"Watch your language, Travis. There's a lady present," Rafe said in an authoritative voice. "I'd like you all to meet my wife. You will all mind your manners in front of her, understood?"

Sarah was well aware that Rafe was chastising the cowboy, and at the same time staking his claim publicly. She turned to scowl at him and said acerbically, "Why don't you just slap a brand on my behind and get it over with?"

Rafe raised an imperious eyebrow at her. "Now honey, is that any way for a sweet young wife like you to talk? The boys won't know that you're kidding."

Sarah heard the challenge in his voice and knew that she was beat. If she went against him now, she would break their bargain. She'd set herself a chore and she intended to see it through for her own peace of mind.

"Don't worry about it," she said, turning and smiling at the men. "Come on in and try to enjoy the food." The group filed past her. There were plenty of "thank you ma'am's," and curious glances shot her way. It was apparent that she had been the subject of gossip the night before. If she remembered right, Zeke couldn't keep a secret to save his soul.

The cowboys were a mixed bunch of sizes and ages, but they all had one common denominator; they were deeply tanned and looked tough as nails. There was one tall blond, older, cowboy that stood apart from the rest. He gave her a probing glance as he passed by. Sarah was wondering why he was so interested in her when Zeke passed by. Sarah smiled and held her hand out. He scowled at her and brushed on by without speaking. Surprised by his sullen expression, she hastily withdrew her hand. It was plain to see that he wasn't happy to see her.

"Go ahead and get started," she said brightly. "There's more food in the kitchen if we run out."

Sarah was loading the dishwasher after breakfast when she heard the screen door slam as the last of the hands left the dining hall. At least she didn't have to worry about doing all these dishes. Now all she had to do was find a cook book and figure out what she could make for supper. Whatever she chose it was going to have to be enormous because they ate like horses.

After pouring herself a cup of coffee, Sarah sat down on a porch chair and sighed. It was going to be a difficult summer, and it had only just begun. She wasn't sure that she was up to the task of cooking for this mob. Let alone defending her heart from Rafe's assault. The man had only married her for her family name. It was still a bitter pill to swallow.

No doubt if she confronted him with it, he'd deny it to his last breath. Sure Rafe might desire her for other reasons but marrying into the Maxwell Family didn't do any harm to a man who wanted to turn his large working ranch into a dude ranch on the side. What he didn't know was that she'd walked away from her heritage years ago because there were too many strings attached. Just like there were too many strings attached to their marriage. There was no way that she could be all Rafe expected her to be.

No doubt the extra income would come in handy, she thought as she glanced around the slightly shabby surroundings. Zeke's exasperated voice broke into her reverie.

"I still think you're a damned fool, Rafe. Sleep with her if you've gotta, but then get her the hell out of here before she screws you up again."

"Don't worry about it, old pal. I know what I'm doing this time around. But sleeping with her does sound like a damned good idea. Maybe then I'll be able to think straight around the little witch."

Sarah got out of the chair and tiptoed into the kitchen. Her hands shook as she set her coffee mug on the counter. So he was going to get her out of his system. How? By using her, until he used her up? It served to increase her resolve to remain immune to his charms.

The door bell rang. Sarah went to answer it. She swung open the door to see a petite, brunette lady with a little moppet in tow. "Can I help you?"

The lady pulled back the screen door and grinned. "I'm not surprised you don't remember me. We only met once at the Ramseys' barbecue. You and Rafe only had eyes for each other that night."

Sarah blushed remembering that night. It had been the star filled night that Rafe had proposed. It seemed like ages had gone by since then but it was only a few weeks ago.

The lady grinned and held out her hand. "I'm Lisa Halliday, Rafe's sister-in-law. And this is my daughter, Mandy."

Sarah couldn't help smiling back. Lisa's cheeriness was infectious. "Hi there. Come on in both of you. I don't know what brought you here, Lisa, but you're a life saver."

Lisa's eyes opened wide in alarm. "Why, is there something wrong?"

"No, nothing like that," Sarah hastily reassured her. "Do you know how to cook?"

Lisa's nose wrinkled as she grinned. "Sure do. I heard that Rose is on vacation. That's why I stopped by to see if Rafe needed a hand."

Sarah sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. I've taken over the cooking and it's a disaster. Would you be willing to give me a few cooking lessons?"

Lisa grinned. "No problem. When do you want them?"

Sarah bit her lip. "Now. I need to learn by supper time."

"Well in that case we'd better get busy." She turned to look at Mandy. "Go play, honey. And stay out of trouble."

"Okay," she cried before turning to dash outside.

"I wish I had her energy." Sarah smiled at Mandy's exuberance.

Lisa laughed. "Me too. She went on a sleepover last night, and I bet she did more giggling than sleeping. She ought to be exhausted, instead she's ready for more."

Sarah smiled. "Would you like some coffee?"

Lisa gave a happy sigh. "I'd love some."

Sarah led the way. "Come on into the kitchen. I'll pour you a cup." She filled two mugs with coffee and carried them to the dinette.

Lisa took the cup Sarah proffered and smiled. "Rafe is sure a fast worker. He told me he'd get you back but I hadn't thought it would be this soon."

Sarah was taken aback by the statement. "He did, huh? I'm beginning to think Rafe and Rose were in cahoots." Maybe Pipi was right and this was a trap; a sensual trap.

Lisa smiled. "No doubt. Rafe usually manages to get what he wants. But what do you mean about them being in cahoots?"

Sarah looked away from Lisa's curious gaze. "Rose has been writing me telling me how much trouble Rafe's had since I left. She actually said he might be forced to sell the ranch. So I came back to make things right."

Lisa glanced at her probingly. "For good."

Sarah thought back on her promise to make it look real. "Of course." The lie came easily to her lips, too easily for comfort. Did a part of her wish it was true?

"I'm sorry for prying. It's just that I'd hate to see Rafe hurt again." Lisa reached out to pat Sarah's hand. "Don't be embarrassed. Passion is a natural thing in a marriage. So you two started out a bit rocky, it's how you end up that matters."

Sarah muttered under her breath, "Passion's one thing, but what about love?"

Lisa continued, "Why, I thought Rafe was going to pine away after you left. Then he turned so ornery most of us just stayed out of his way."

Sarah looked at Lisa intently. Had Rafe really pined for her? It seemed too much to hope for. "I didn't know that he missed me that much." No, he probably just missed my help in opening the dude ranch.

Lisa put a hand over her mouth. "Oh me and my big mouth. I hope I didn't upset you by bringing up the past. No offense, I hope."

Sarah smiled in what she hoped was a reassuring manner. "I suppose it was hard for Rafe. After all, his expansion plans hinged on me."

Joan shook her head. "I wouldn't say that. Don't worry, if he wanted to expand he'd do it with or without you. It's been a hard year for ranchers all over, but Rafe is too good a manager to fold. Actually he was pretty resistant to Gabe's suggestion that he take in tourists. After all Rafe is a dyed in the wool traditionalist. But Gabe and I explained that we could throw a lot of business his way through our travel agency.

"He's got this big empty house going to waste. So why not add on and make a little extra income to take him over the lean times. Heck it would help grow our business, too. In the end he was coming around to our way of thinking. Now that his home life is back to normal he can concentrate on the changes."

Sarah stared at Lisa agog. "Let me get this straight. It was Gabe's idea that Rafe turn part of the Double-H into a dude ranch. When did he first suggest this?"

"Oh, about three months back. Like I said, Rafe didn't take to the idea much at first. But Rafe's a smart guy. Eventually he saw the light. He was drawing up the plans when you met. I'm sure he must have told you about them."

Sarah thought back to the night she'd found the plans and nearly groaned. Could she possibly have been wrong about Rafe's motive for marrying her? If so, somebody had deliberately set her running. But who?

Lisa brightened. "So Rafe tells us that you're a nature photographer. Well, you'll have no end of beautiful nature to shoot around here. And your skills could come in handy with the guests. You could offer a course on nature photography. That is if you wouldn't mind helping out."

Sarah smiled wistfully. "No, I wouldn't mind. A photographer could spend a lifetime here and never run out of new subjects."

Lisa grinned. "And you'll get to do just that."

Sarah kept her smile, but felt a pain deep inside. The lady didn't know that this was just a sham. By the end of the summer she'd be gone. And Rafe seemed to want it that way. At least he hadn't tried to talk her into staying. He wanted her back to satisfy his sexual itch. At least that's what he'd told Zeke.

"You know, I'm so glad that you came back. Rafe may seem tough as nails, but he really needs a wife to soften those hard edges."

Sarah cringed at Lisa's confident words. "I suppose so."

"Now, how about I teach you Chicken and Dumplings 101?"

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