OLIVER: WESTERN CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE (Blackwater Canyon Ranch Book 2) by Cindy Stark

of the house since the night I kissed you.”
    Images of him holding her flooded her mind along with the taste of his kiss. She’d never say she wanted more, but she did. “I’m doing what I always do. I haven’t been avoiding you.”
    “I’m doing what I always do, too.” His smile widened. “Sounds like you and I have similar thoughts rolling around in our heads.”
    She froze. Did that mean he was thinking about her the same way? “Maybe so.”
    He tilted his head toward her. “Been thinking though. I probably shouldn’t kiss my boss’s sister again without her approval.”
    She hadn’t considered that, but… “Rachel doesn’t get to decide who I…kiss.” She inadvertently glanced at his lips.
    He lifted his brows and his mouth curved into a most charming smile. “Maybe not, but she does get to say if I keep my job or not.”
    “She’s not going to fire you for kissing me.” That was ridiculous. For one, Rachel had a heart of gold.
    “What if I break your heart? Then would she?” His smile stayed in place, leaving her to wonder if he teased or not.
    “You’re not going to break my heart.” Even if he could, she’d never admit it.
    He snorted. “Because you’d actually have to like me for that to happen.”
    “I like you.” He might annoy the hell out of her, but he possessed characteristics she admired.
    “Good.” His grin widened as he shifted her car into a lower gear, making it growl before he accelerated into a turn along the country road. “I love the way your car handles.”
    He wanted to change the subject, which she didn’t mind. “It is pretty sweet.”
    Whether Oliver wanted to acknowledge it or not, he could appreciate the finer things in life, too. He’d enjoyed her date, and, from the look on his face, he now enjoyed the hell out of her muscle car, too.

Chapter Thirteen
     
    Daisy settled on a chair in the backyard with a glass of sweet tea and a juicy novel, prepared to soak up the precious rays. She didn’t mind one bit being on her own for a few days while Rachel and Caleb took a short trip to see his sick aunt.
    Finally, she could read. Enjoy a bubble bath. Dance naked through the house if she wanted. She hadn’t realized it, but she’d missed the times she’d had by herself in her mom’s apartment. Too much time alone would drive her crazy, but a break every now and then was heavenly.
    Oliver and the other men would tend to everything outside, so she only had to worry about herself. Thinking of them, she scanned her surroundings to make sure no one would bother her. The area Rachel had created as an outdoor living space was sheltered from view of the barn, so she should be able to enjoy some privacy while basking in the sun.
    For the past few weeks, Oliver had acted the same as he had before their kiss. Obviously, he’d buried the event somewhere in the back of his mind, never to be thought of again. Daisy had followed his example. Whenever he’d come to dinner, she’d acted as normal as possible. The four of them had enjoyed several pleasant evenings with Oliver playing the part of a nice guy and a good friend. Nothing more.
    Apparently, fear of her sister’s reaction had doused whatever chemistry had flared between them.
    Not that Rachel’s reactions were any small thing. She’d been upset when she’d first noticed Daisy’s bandage, but a few reassuring words seemed to calm her. She’d taken Daisy to have her stitches removed after ten days, leaving Daisy with a bright pink scar running along the side of her finger. It was almost as if she’d never cut herself or kissed Oliver.
    Maybe that was for the best.
    ****
    The compound was eerily empty when Oliver rode in on his horse mid-afternoon. Usually, Rachel and Caleb were around, along with the other guys and their trucks. But, it was the weekend, and he’d managed the necessary tasks on his own. No big deal. He’d done it before to give his bosses free time.
    As he headed toward the barn with his