If nothing else, the scandal surrounding Nora Elizabeth
Hampton proved how unreliable men really were. Total
independence was her new motto. And yet, here she was,
waiting to ask Bret Maddock a huge favor.
Bret stood in the temporary corral set up in the corner of
the pasture, his legs braced as he wrestled a yearling calf
off its feet. He wore no hat, and the clear Texas sun
glinted off his rumpled dark hair.
Shutting the truck's door behind her, Nora stepped forward.
With the noise and activity in the corral, her presence went
unnoticed for the moment.
She couldn't help watching Bret as she walked up to the pen.
He looked somehow different than she'd remembered. In high
school, he'd been everyone's favorite bad boy, too
good-looking to be missed and too reckless for a girl like
Nora.
They'd traveled in very different groups back then, but even
though she'd gone steady with Richard since her sophomore
year, she'd noticed Bret. What girl hadn't?
Now the wild boy had been transformed into muscle and sinew
that shrieked sex appeal and danger all at once.
Bret held the calf down effortlessly, restraining its
struggles as he threw a joke at the cowboy doctoring the
animal.
Nora watched him, repressing a shiver in the unusually warm
January air. Even as a kid, Bret Maddock had lived life by
his own rules. Instinctively, she knew that hadn't changed.
For a woman who'd always done her best to play by the rules,
Bret was a mine field of disruptiveness. He did what he
wanted, never worrying that the next step could mean the end
of someone's goodwill.
No one knew better than Nora how easily goodwill could be
lost. Coming back to Stoneburg had taught her that.
One crazy moment had changed her life with Richard. Through
no fault of her own, her engagement had ended. And here she
was, home again after six years, waiting to make Bret a
business proposition he didn't need and probably wouldn't want.
She'd already had one stable refuse to board Chessie. ""No
room,"" they'd said, but Nora suspected otherwise.
Just how fast did gossip travel? Had Bret heard about her
disgrace? And if so, would the county's most notorious
rule-breaker refuse her offer just because Nora had
accidentally become Stoneburg's scarlet woman?
Resting her hand on the cool metal fence, Nora waited,
unsure as to what his response would be. Since she'd come
back to town, people she'd known off and on all her life had
been staring at her as if she'd turned into Jezebel.
Would Bret condemn her, too?
The calf that was pinned under Bret's knee bawled a protest.
As the cowboy finished his task, Bret straightened, allowing
the yearling to scramble up and trot off.
A cowhand said something to Bret, nodding in Nora's direction.
He turned and their gazes caught. Nora's heart increased its
rhythm. A slow grin eased onto Bret's face, recognition
immediate in his eyes.
He walked toward her, his long shotgun chaps molding the
length of his muscular legs. Nora swallowed and focused on
Bret's face. She'd been acquainted with Bret Maddock all her
life, but she'd never had to come begging before, never
needed him like she did now. Telling herself she'd find
another answer if he refused, she watched him move toward her.
He walked with innate confidence with just the hint of a
swagger, as if he'd never known himself to be unwelcome, or
never cared if he were.
"Well, if it isn't Nora Hampton." He stripped off his
leather gloves, his brown eyes alight with masculine interest.
"Hello, Bret." Nora said coolly. The very fact that she
needed his help made her more prickly.
"You look good." His eyes narrowed as he flashed a glance
over her, lingering for a second on the roundness of her
breasts.
"Thank You." She fought down the sensation of tightness in
her throat. Some things hadn't changed. He still looked at
her as if he appreciated the scenery.
Bret leaned against the temporary fence panel, his tanned
forearms bared by rolled-up sleeves.
Determined not to succumb to his masculine charm, Nora
forced a friendly smile. "It looks like you've been keeping
yourself busy. Mother mentioned that you've taken on running
the ranch since your father retired."
"Yep. Dad had no choice but me since his eldest son took up
lawyering and moved to Dallas," Bret joked.
"Richard and I saw Ben at a party last year," she said
without thinking, then stopped. Richard was the last thing
she needed to talk about. "Ben seemed to be doing well," she
finished quickly.
"Happy as a clam," Bret agreed, his eyes not leaving her
face. "So what can I do for you, Nora Elizabeth? Assuming
you didn't just stop by to watch us rolling in the dirt."
His words reminded her of her purpose, so Nora shoved her
embarrassment aside. "I came to ask you a favor."
A smile curled at the corner of his mouth as his eyes
darkened. "Just name it, honey."
Nora's heartbeat stumbled. Pressing on, she took a deep
breath. "Hoyt Daniels down at the feed store suggested I ask
you about boarding Chessie. He said you'd kept his
granddaughter's horse last year as a personal favor to him.
I'd pay you, of course."
Nora met his gaze steadily, very aware that the Maddock
Ranch didn't need the small amount she could pay.
"So you're planning on staying in town awhile?"
"Yes," she said firmly, her chin coming up. "I'm staying.
And I'm starting an equestrian academy to teach English
style riding and equitation."
Bret recognized the look on Nora's face. Determination
gleamed there, reminiscent of the girl he'd known years ago.
It seemed she had a dream, despite the scandal that had
followed her from Dallas.
He shook his head, not bothering to hide his smile.
"Honey, when you pick a goal, you do it with gusto."
โWhat do you mean?" she challenged.
"Just that this is Texas," he said with emphasis on the
state's name." It may not be where the west began, but itโs
where the west is done best. And you want to teach English
riding?"
"There's nothing wrong with variety," she defended.
"Equitation is wonderful for teaching discipline."
He liked the fire in her face, the way she lost her cool
when sparked. The Nora he'd known as a kid had always
intrigued him with her curvaceous body and perfect grades.
While he'd raised hell and majored in rodeo, she'd been
student body vice president and queen of the honor society.
A deliciously reserved girl with flashes of spirit in her
eyes. Who'd have thought that her life would crash and burn?
With her brown hair glinting in the sunlight as it rippled
to her shoulders, and her slender body filled out in all the
right places, Bret could see why she'd attracted the wrong
kind of attention. But he couldn't see her cheating on her
fiancรฉ.
Richard had been made for the business world, sucking up to
the next big deal. If anyone would be unfaithful, it would
be Richard.
"Will you let me board Chessie?" Nora asked again.
"Sure," said Bret, enjoying the relief that washed over her
expression.
โIโd like to lease the use of a riding ring, too."
"I think that can be arranged," he agreed.
"About the cost," she said, raising her chin again. "I can't
pay. Much, but-"
"Why donโt you pay what Hoyt did?" said Bret, knowing he'd
surprised her. He'd charged Hoyt two thirds of the going
rate. "We'll just call it a personal favor."
"Are you sure?" Nora said with a puzzled frown. "I could
manage to pay-"
Bret interrupted her. "Why don't I ride back to the barn
with you and show you where you can stable Chessie."
"Okay." A hint of wariness lingered in her eyes. Repressing
a smile, Bret turned back to the cowhands still doctoring
the calves. "Sam, you guys finish up here. I'm going back to
the ranch with Miss Hampton."
Vaulting easily over the fence, he followed Nora to where
the truck and horse trailer waited. "This is Hoyt's truck,
isn't it?" he mentioned as he got in the passenger side.
"Yes," she admitted. "He loaned it to me to move Chessie."
Nora started the truck with a mixture of relief and
suspicion. She wasn't sure she wanted Bret doing "personal
favors" for her. Coming from him, it seemed too ... personal.
On the drive over here, Hoyt's old truck had seemed as huge
as a boat, but with Bret's long frame occupying the cab with
her, Nora suddenly felt constricted in the space.
She kept both hands on the steering wheel, her gaze pinned
to the road.
Bret stared at her, his gaze slipping down her body in a
slow perusal she tried to ignore. Failing miserably, Nora
kept her eyes fixed on the road and searched diligently for
something to distract him.
"I understand Bunny got married last year," she said.
"Yep, Iittle sister found herself a Louisiana boy," Bret
drawled, his intent gaze not wavering.
"That's nice." Glancing away from the potent power of his
charm, Nora gave up the conversation and concentrated on
driving.
Minutes later, they pulled up in front of the barn. Eager to
remove herself from his disturbing presence, Nora jumped off
the truck immediately, hurrying back to the trailer.
Chessie stood placidly in the trailer, lipping at some hay
in the feeder.
Balancing herself on the edge of the trailer with one foot,
Nora leaned into the front to unhook the mare's halter from
the feedbox. When she jumped down and went around to the
back, she found Bret opening the gate and settling it on the
ground.
"Thanks," she said. Once the ramp was down, Nora unhooked
the hose-covered chain behind the horse's rear and patted
the chestnut mare on the rump. Chessie backed out of the
trailer.
A rush of affection flooded Nora as she grasped the horse's
halter. She threw her arm around Chessie, burying her face
in the animal's coarse mane. "It's all right, girl. I found
a place."
Some of her darkest moments had been eased by escaping to
the stables. Nora had never been able to sell the horse even
though Richard complained about the time she spent riding.
"She's a beauty." Bretโs voice brought Nora back to the
present. "Have you had her long?"
Nora nodded, feeling foolish that he'd witnessed her
spontaneous embrace. "My father gave her to me when I
graduated from college two years ago."
"That must have been right before he died," Bret commented.
"Yes." she said tersely, refusing to acknowledge the wave of
grief that always threatened her when she thought of her father.
โThat makes her even more special then," Bret said, his
face gentle as he ran a hand down Chessie's neck. "Bring her
on into the barn and we'll find a clean stall."
After seeing Chessie settled, Nora paid Bret for a month's
stabling. Relieved to have the horse settled, she nearly
jumped when Bret reached out and captured her hand.
"Don't you think we ought to shake on it ... or something,"
he murmured, a wicked grin playing at the corners of his mouth.
Her hand felt lost in his, surrounded and suddenly sensitive.
© 2003-2026