It was just after noon, and the sidewalks were busy. Killian glanced into Cubby's Creekside Café, studying the place through one of the windows. It seemed very homey inside and nearly full. Probably a good place to pick up local gossip. He'd bet a dime today's was all about him and his brothers. Half-brothers, he reminded himself, and the familiar bitterness washed through him.Benner had called this morning. He wanted Killian to stop by later today, so he could catch him up on how the first two weeks had gone, but Killian wasn't even sure he wanted to hear. He wanted out of this disaster as soon as possible. Still, he'd have to talk to the man sooner or later. Might be best to get it over with.He had made it to the end of the block, in front of Heart Starter. Was her coffee like battery acid, or just strong with a rich flavor? Whatever, he needed something to clear his brain, so he pushed the door open and walked in. A bell tinkled overhead."Be right with you," a voice called.K
"Well?" he finally prompted.She cocked her head and studied him for long moments. "You're new here," she said at last. "You're one of the Walker boys. Is this week your turn?"Fuck. Was the whole sordid story common news here?"I'm Killian." He held out his hand.She took it, her warm, soft skin igniting the blood in his veins. Or maybe it was the intense irritation at being the object of common gossip."Lexie Choate. Welcome to Red Creek and Heart Starter.""So, does everyone in Red Creek know all the grimy details?" he asked.She gave a slight shrug. "Dusty lived here forever and was always larger than life. When the four of you came for the meeting with the attorney, everyone's curiosity jumped about a hundred points. Word got out and, yes, you can't blame people for talking about it. The story is a little unusual.""To say the very least." He couldn't keep the edge of bitterness from his voice.A tiny frown creased her forehead. "You all aren't happy about the money?"Th
Everyone knew he, like his brothers, was required to stay for one week. The others had made it plain when they got to Red Creek the week was all they'd commit to. She figured Killian was probably just looking for some female companionship to pass the time. She still couldn't believe she'd accepted his dinner invitation. Since she'd come back to Red Creek, trailing the disaster her personal life had become, she'd refused to date any of the men in town who kept asking her. No more relationships. Been there, done that, had the tee shirt to prove it. Seemingly, her judgment where men were concerned was seriously flawed.But the minute she'd clapped eyes on him at Heart Starter, every female hormone stood up and saluted while all her girl parts began planning a celebration. She was tempted for the first time since she'd run home to Red Creek, pulling the tatters of her life around her. She wanted to think it was because she'd been on sexual hiatus for a long time while she sorted out her l
Lexie was a little nervous as she gave him directions. How would he react when she took him past some of Dusty'saccomplishments. She knew how all the sons felt about the man. Lordy, the whole town knew. But if Killian was really Dusty Walker's son, then he should know the man was someone other than a guy who didn't marry Killian's mother. She pointed out the playground at the little park in the middle of a residential section. The new wing he'd paid for at the small retirement home. The high school where he'd paid for computers."There's evidence of his giving nature everywhere," Lexie told him. "He's bought businesses going under, propped them up, and let the owners stay there rent-free until they got on their feet. Helped folks with their mortgages, and he saved more than one or two farms around here.""Okay, okay, okay," Killian said at last. "I get it. The man was a goddamn saint. A fucking angel. Wonderful. I'll get him a halo.""He wasn't a saint at all, but he was more than y
"Um, yes, we can do that. I'd like that. Absolutely."The smile he gave her curled her toes. "Great."The atmosphere for the rest of the dinner was much more relaxed. Killian told her about growing up in Montana, how he'd been in love with ranching all his life, and how his love for it had continued to grow. She talked about Red Creek, about her parents who owned a wheat farm outside of town, and her brother who was a Marine stationed in Afghanistan."And you run Heart Starter," he commented. "Did you always want to be a shopkeeper? A barista?"Now it was her turn to laugh. "Barista," she repeated. "That's a fancy word for Red Creek. Maybe not my childhood dream, but I enjoy it.""So what was your dream growing up?"She hesitated. Should she tell him about that dream, the one she was still chasing? No, not yet. Most people who knew about it chalked it up to a hobby, and unless something spectacular happened, that was probably what it would remain. Especially after her one disastr
Killian wished he could get rid of the itchy anxious feeling holding him in its grip since he'd gotten up that morning. No, since he'd arrived home the night before. No, no, no. Since he'd taken Lexie home the night before and walked away with unsatisfied desire and a raging hard-on. If it was just the physical attraction, he could deal with it and move on. After all, he intended to get his ass out of this town as soon as he could.Unfortunately he had to face the fact it was way more. How had she captivated him so fast and so easily? What he was feeling for Lexie Choate had struck him with the force of runaway horses, and he had no idea what to do with it. She wasn't a woman he could take his pleasure with and walk away. There was a lot more to her than the women he usually bedded. In less than twenty-four hours, he'd already figured that out.Could he do what he'd had in mind, spend the week enjoying her company, and then head off to the rest of his life? It couldn't be anything el
Already Killian was itching to see her again. If he did, however, he'd get good and tangled up, and what would happen when he left? Because, at least from where he sat now, he couldn't wait to shake the dust of Red Creek from his boots. His entire future was focused on getting his ranch.How had he gotten himself in this situation after less than forty-eight hours in town? He hadn't planned on finding someone like Lexie for damn sure. Sighing, he stuck the rope back in its place and went to work.He spent a good portion of the morning studying the contents of the folder Elaine had given him, the rest of it being quizzed by her on what he'd absorbed so far. He surprised himself-and probably her-with the amount of information he'd absorbed and understood."You could be a natural at this, you know," she told him."Thanks, but...." He flapped a hand helplessly, not wanting to give voice to his thoughts."But you don't plan to make this your life's work," she guessed. "Or Red Creek you
Lexie had changed her clothes five times by the time the clock showed almost straight up seven.You'd think I'd never been on a date before.But all her tingly girl parts as well as the functioning portion of her brain kept sending her messages this was more than just a date. Killian Walker had blown into her life by an accident of fate. She'd probably never see him again when this week was over. There was no guarantee he-or any of the brothers-would hang around little Red Creek when their time was up. They all had places in the larger universe, and she was pretty sure they'd go back to them. Oh, wait. She'd heard a rumor that Dylan, the first to stay the week in Red Creek, might be hanging around.In any event, it had nothing to do with Killian. He'd probably be on a fast plane back to his real life after this. She'd never met a man quite like him, all quiet, solid strength, intense masculinity, and sex appeal off the charts. She'd laid awake a long time last night, thinking about