DALLAS HELPED AMBER restore order in the shop before heading for a bank of pay phones near the rest rooms to make her calls in private.

When Dallas returned, Amber confronted her, hands on hips. “What’s going on? I’ve been dying of curiosity I saw you two head for the dance floor. Did you ask him to help you?”

Dallas nodded. “He’s coming out to check the security on my trailer,” Dallas said, wiping the shampoo bowl with a damp towel. “I just called the two references he gave me and they think he’s the greatest .”

“I’m not surpised. When is he going to check the trailer?”

Dallas concentrated on the shine of the porcelain beneath her polishing towel. “Torught. After we close up here.”

“Wow. He works fast: ‘

Dallas glanced up and caught Amber’s grin. “Hey. He’s only checking my locks.”

“Wonder if I could get him to check mine .”

“It’s not what you think, Amber. He’s sure Neal’s about to try something.”

“That may be. It’s also a wonderful excuse to go home with you torught. And I’ll bet you’re twisted in knots over the idea of being in close confines with that gorgeous cowboy.”

Dallas returned to her polishing. “I’ve told you , Amber. I’m not interested in his type.”

“Sure you’re not. That’s why you have that towel in a death grip. Look, your knuckles are white.”

Dallas glanced down at the towel and tossed it into the dirty-clothes bin. “Nothing will happen,” she said, more to herself than Amber.

“That’s your loss, then; Amber said with another grin.

ON THE wAY HOME, with the lights of Gabe’s old truck shining in her rearviet.v mirror, Dallas struggled with the protocol of this visit. Should she offer him coffee? He was, after all, doing her a favor. But a cup of coffee might suggest more than she was prepared to handle. Better just let him check the locks and go home. A1tfiough she’d never feared living alone she’d installed good locks because it seemed stupid not to, and the ones that had come with the trailer hadn’t been adequate.

She pulled up in front of the chain-link fence, her headlights picking out Gretchern’s fawn-colored coat as the dog barked a greeting.

Gabe parked beside her and swung down from his truck. He wore a faded denim jacket over his flannel shirt, making him look more like a rogue than ever. “I’m glad you have a dog,” he said when she got out of her truck and walked toward him.

“I’m not sure if Gretchen would guard me or not.” Dallas unlatched the gate and grabbed Gretchen’s collar’ She’s still young, and if you brought a male dog around to entice her, she’d be gone in a flash.”

G abe stepped through the gate and reached to scratch the dog’s ears. “So it’s like that, is it, Gretchen?”

“Down the road there’s a huge dog, part Irish wolfhound and part Saint Bernard, who has designs on her.” Dallas suspected she was babbliq g, but Gabe’s presence beside her as they went up the walk was unnerving’I’ve had to reinforce the fence to keep him out.”

“And her in?” Gabe asked, a smile in his voice.

“Yes; Dallas admitted, unlocking the dead bolt. “If I left things up to her, she’d run off with the first mongrel that came along.”

“But you have other plans for her.” There was an edge to his voice as he walked into her pine-paneled living room, Gretchen close at his heels. He turned to face her. “Don’t you?”

Dallas closed the door. “Yes. I’m not going to breed her now, and possibly not until she’s about two years old. When I decide the time is right, I’ll pick out a pedigreed stud.”

He nodded and continued to scratch behind the dog’s ears. “can’t have indiscriminate breeding. No telling what that could lead to.”

“I have a feeling you don’t approve of my plans for Gretchen.” She took off her hat and ran her fingers through her hair. “Are you one of those people who thinks we should let nature take its course?”

He studied her for a moment without answering and her words seemed to echo between them. Her fingers trembled as she combed them back through her hair again.

Finally he shrugged. “I’ve met my share of pedigreed studs, and I’ve found the temperament of mongrels to be a whole lot better.”

“Is that right?” Leaving her jacket on, she turned to hang her hat on the rack beside the door, as much to break contact with his compelling gaze as to be tidy. She had a feeling they werexit talking about dogs any longer. “Is that part of your problem with Neal?”

His jaw tightened. “It could be, but it isxit.” He glanced around. “Do you have a back door to this place?”

“Near my bedroom. I’ll show you.”

She was aware of his tread behind her down the narrow hallway, could feel his gaze on her back, even the heat of his body in the small space. He was too close. If he touched her with those wonderful hands, would she be able to shrug away with the proper indignation? Or would she lean into his touch with a sigh and turn a waiting mouth up to his? She didn’t want to test herself

She walked past the door to give him access to it. She’d left a soft light on in her bedroom, as she always did, to welcome herself home. The white chenille spread was tucked neatly under the pillows, and pictures of her family were arranged artfully on her bedside table. She’d decorated with southwestern prints of Indian women against a backdrop of red cliffs and rustic pueblos.

His glance moved past her to the bedroom. “You have good taste: ‘

“Thank you: ‘

“Is there a gun in one of those bedside table drawers ?

She was startled. Most people didn’t guess that there was. She nodded. “A Lady Smith & Wesson. Five shots .”

“I know how many bullets it takes. Do you know how to use it?”

She faced him. “I grew up in west Texas. My daddy wasn’t much of a family man, but he taught us all how to ride and shoot, how to mend a fence and put up a corral. you’re not talking to a hothouse flower, Mr. Escalante”

“I didn’t expect I was; he said, and turned to the door.

“I put in the locks .”

He nodded and opened the door and a draft of cool air came in, making her realize how heated her skin had become.

She watched the movement of his fingers as he shot the bolt and tested it for strength. Tension built low in her pelvis. Could she manage a quick affair and be done with this craving? She knew the answer even before the question was fully formed. She’d never been the type ; her passions ran deep. But they must not run with this man, no matter how he stirred her.

She tried to ignore the flex of his shoulder muscles as he pushed against the door. “He could always force these doors. He works out in a gym and I think he’s in pretty good shape.”

She had to concentrate to remember who Gabe was talking about With Gabe around, she didn’t have room in her mind for Neal. Gabe’s scent surrounded her pulling her in. “Would you like some coffee?” she blurted, desperate for an excuse to get away from him.

He turned, transfixing her with his deep-set eyes. “The usual answer is, “If it’s made; but of course you don’t have coffee ready.”

“I’ll make some.” Why was she even offering? She didn’t want him to linger and tempt her further.

“Dozi t bother. I’ll be finished soon.” He walked into the bedroom. “Let me check out these windows. It would suit him to come through one of them and surprise you before you’re fully awake.”

She balanced unsteadily against the wall as he put one knee on her bedspread and leaned toward the window over her bed. His jeans pulled tight across his buttocks , and she closed her eyes momentarily. Her hands were clammy. “I’m making coffee; she announced, and fled to the kitchen.

COWARD, DALLAS THOUGHT as she spooned coffee into the basket, scattering some over her clean counter in her haste. He’s only a man. Her hand was steadier as she poured water into the coffeemaker and switched it on. She took off her jacket and hung it over a chair while listening to Gabe moving through her trailer locking and unlocking windows. Gretchen kept him company, judging by the accompanying jingle of dog tags.

By the time Gabe appeared in the kitchen she’d composed herself and could face him with a semblance of equanimity. “What’s the verdict?”

A corner of his mouth tilted up. “You’re a good carpenter”

The words of praise filled her with a ridiculous amount of pride. She cared too much about his opinion , she told herself sternly. “So you think I’m pretty well barricaded in?”

“Probably. Do you still have my card?”

She nodded.

“I have a machine and I check it regularly when I’m out. But call 911 first if Neal shows up. Gretchen will tell you if anyone’s around.” At the sound of her name Gretchen shoved her muzzle into his hand. “She might

” g g, ” not attack, he continued, strokin the do but you never know. You haven’t had a chance to test her.”


“


“True .”

He rubbed Gretchexi’s head and her tail whapped back and forth, knocking against the kitchen doorframe Dallas liked his manner with her dog. Most people kept their distance from Gretchen because of her size, but Gabe treated her with the nonchalance of someone used to big arumals.

“Do you have a dog?” she asked.

“Can’t. Wouldn’t be fair with the kind of life I live.” He squatted down so his face was level with Gretchen’s and she responded byqlicking his cheek and knocking off his hat. Laughing, he picked it up and scrubbed a hand over her neck. “But I’d love to. I’d love to have a dog just like you, you big, clumsy, beautiful mutt.”

Gretchen swiped her tongue over his face again. -“Wet kisses will get you anywhere; he said, laughingagain.