Page 23 of Fool's Gold

"Have fun," Sarah called out.

"Dance with me?" Rafe asked.

It wasn't an order, but a plea.

She smiled, instantly agreeing. "I'm not sure I know this dance."

He led her to the plank dance floor. "It's a country waltz. Just follow me."

She stepped into his strong arms and surrendered to the music. They twirled around the floor, and she gazed up at the stars wanting to press this night in her book of memories.

After the dance ended, Rafe led Sarah off the floor. "Hungry?"

"Not really."

"What do you want to do then?"

"It's such a beautiful night. Why don't we take a stroll?"

He linked his arm with hers. "Sounds good to me. But you're the beautiful one."

She was warmed by the compliment and the sincere way he'd said it. No matter what happened, she knew she didn't want to resist his advances any longer.

She gazed up at Rafe's profile as they walked. "What proposal was Jim talking about earlier?"

He leaned closer. "I might sell him a parcel of land from the Double-H."

She'd come back to keep him from losing the ranch. Why would he sell off a parcel? "Why?"

"It's a good business deal and nothing for you to worry about, sweetheart. I want to make some changes at the ranch, and I need an infusion of cash. Once the deal goes through, we'll be in decent shape."

This was serious. She hated to stand by and let him sell off part of his birthright. "I thought you were going to reapply for an expansion loan."

Rafe nodded grimly. "I did. It was a no-go. Blackthorn is on the board of directors at the bank. He persuaded the loan committee I was a poor credit risk."

"He must be pretty influential." Sarah scowled at the thought of Blackthorn meddling in Rafe's business.

He nodded. "You could say he's got his finger in just about every important pie in town."

She placed her hand on Rafe's arm, bringing them to a halt. "You can't sell off part of the ranch. It's your heritage."

He studied her intently. "The way the Maxwell Consortium is yours."

"Not quite. I've got some news for you, Rafe. I'm not the heiress you assumed. I walked away from my birthright years ago, but you don't need to do so."

She gazed at his sweet expression looking for any sign of disappointment.

"So, you're not put off by the fact that I have no ties to my grandfather's empire?"

He frowned at the question. "I didn't marry your grandfather. I married you."

His sincerity touched her, and she wanted to help. "I've got some money saved up. It's yours if you need it."

"I don't want your money, sweetheart."

"But..."

He cut off her protest with a kiss. Pulling back, he said softly, "It's too nice a night to argue. Just look at the blanket of stars and think about us."

---