Almost Perfect

Now if he could just get the woman to go back to her cabin or encourage her to have a facial. Maybe catch one of the sunset rides into the canyon. But he doubted that any of his suggestions would work and opted to bow out gracefully. “You’ll have to excuse me, Vickie. I’ve got to get things lined up inside. Then I have a lot of work to catch up on.”

“Sure, Jake, I’ll excuse you. But don’t forget about the dance on Friday night.”

“No, I won’t forget.” Jake tipped his hat, then headed back to the house.

When he stepped inside the kitchen, Maggie was busy wiping Sam’s face and hands. She had her back to him and didn’t speak when he entered. Something told him that wasn’t a good thing.

Kayla, on the other hand, giggled out loud.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“You got a big, red, reindeer kiss on your face.”

Chapter Four

A reindeer kiss?

Jake didn’t know where Kayla had come up with that, but he knew what she was talking about and quickly wiped where Vickie had left her mark.

Maggie, who had turned at Kayla’s reindeer comment, wore a weird smile, one that poked a teasing accusation at his conscience.

But what did he have to feel guilty about? It wasn’t his fault that Vickie was doing her best to stake an unwelcome claim on him. He couldn’t think of anything to say in his defense, so he didn’t utter a word and continued to wipe at the damn lipstick.

Maggie handed him a paper towel. “Don’t let us keep you from joining in the reindeer games.”

Kayla giggled, although he still wasn’t sure where the reindeer came in, since Christmas was three months away. But Kayla had a vivid imagination and was always several steps ahead of him. Apparently, Maggie was sharp enough to keep up with her.

“If you’re talking about the red-lipped reindeer,” he said, “I’m not interested in her games.”

Kayla and Maggie shot each other a conspiratorial glance, and Jake wondered whether he’d be able to keep up with either of them. “I’ve got chores to do. Are you two going to be okay?”

“Sure.” Maggie tossed Kayla a gentle smile. “We’ll be just fine without you.”

Jake had no doubt about that.

He studied Maggie as she stood near the high chair. She wore a yellow sweatshirt with a college logo and a pair of faded jeans. Caramel eyes that could lure a man to their depths glimmered, and hair the color of golden corn silk brushed her shoulders. She smiled in a playful way that made a guy want to step closer, to fill the gap between them. Full, unpainted lips begged to be kissed and promised not to leave lipstick smears all over a man’s face. Or anywhere else they might choose to touch.

His mind drifted to the kiss they’d shared in Boston. It hadn’t been much, as far as kisses went, just a sensual hint that blazed with passion. It had been a ploy, an act meant to imply he and Maggie were lovers. Jake had figured the kiss would surprise the sophisticated, scholarly types who had attended the hospital benefit. But it had surprised him more than anyone.

He hadn’t expected it to turn him every which way but loose, but it had. And he’d laughed it off, rather than allow himself to take it further, to see how Maggie would respond to a real kiss, one meant to entice her.

One meant to entice them both.

Jake shook off the urge to kiss her again, to take their attraction to a deeper level. Dr. Maggie Templeton, he reminded himself, was definitely off-limits, no matter how wholesome and kissable she looked. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got work to do.”

“Sure,” Maggie said.

He had the strangest urge to grab her in his arms and kiss her, just to let her know that he found her far more attractive than the sex-starved ranch guest.

Instead, Jake left the house before he did something really stupid.

A full moon hovered over the darkened Texas countryside, as Maggie stood on the porch and leaned against the polished oak railing.

Kayla and Sam had finally drifted off to sleep, their tummies full of chicken noodle soup, sliced apples and grilled cheese sandwiches.

A light from the dining room, an outbuilding that also held a state-of-the-art kitchen, burned bright, indicating the guests were still in the throes of after-dinner conversation. She supposed she could have joined them for the evening meal, like Jake had suggested when he came in to check on the kids, but it was his place to be with the guests. And besides, she preferred to eat with the children.