Page 9 of Fool's Gold

Sarah muttered, "Passion's one thing, but what about love?"

Lisa shrugged. "Why, I thought Rafe would pine away after you left. Then he turned so ornery, most of us just stayed out of his way."

Had Rafe pined for her? It seemed too much to hope for now. "I didn't know he missed me that much."

No, he just missed my help in opening the dude ranch.

Lisa put a hand over her mouth. "Oh, me and my big mouth. I hope I didn't upset you by bringing up the past. No offense, I hope."

Sarah smiled in what she hoped was a reassuring manner. "I suppose it was hard for Rafe. His expansion plans hinged on me."

Lisa shook her head. "I wouldn't say that. Don't worry, if he wanted to expand, he'd do it with or without you. It's been a challenging year for ranchers, but Rafe is too good a manager to fold. He was pretty resistant to Gabe's suggestion that he take in tourists. After all, Rafe is a dyed-in-the-wool traditionalist. But Gabe and I explained we could throw a lot of business his way through our travel agency.

"He's got this big empty house going to waste, so why not make extra income to take him over the lean times? Heck, it would help grow our business, too. In the end, he was coming around to our way of thinking. Now that his home life is normal, he can concentrate on the changes."

Sarah stared at Lisa. "Let me get this straight. It was Gabe's idea that Rafe turns part of the Double-H into a dude ranch. When did he first suggest this?"

"Oh, about a year ago. As I said, Rafe initially didn't take to the idea much, but he's a smart guy. Eventually, he saw the light. He was drawing up the plans when you met. I'm sure he must have told you about them."

Sarah thought about the night she'd found the plans and nearly groaned. Could she possibly have been wrong about Rafe's motive for marrying her? If so, somebody had deliberately set her running. But who?

Lisa brightened. "So, Rafe tells us that you're a nature photographer. Well, you'll have no end of beautiful nature to shoot around here. Your skills could come in handy with the guests. You could offer a course on nature photography. That is, if you wouldn't mind helping."

Sarah smiled wistfully. "No, I wouldn't mind. A photographer could spend a lifetime here and never miss new subjects."

Lisa grinned. "And you'll get to do just that."

Sarah kept her smile, but pain pinged deep inside. The lady didn't know this was just a sham. By the end of the summer, she'd be gone, and Rafe wanted it that way.

At least he hadn't tried to talk her into staying. He wanted her back to satisfy his sexual itch. At least, that's what he'd told Zeke.

"You know, I'm so glad that you came back. Rafe may seem tough, but he needs a wife to soften those hard edges."

Sarah cringed at Lisa's confident words. "I suppose so."

"Now, how about I teach you Chicken and Dumplings 101?"

Chapter Three

Sarah sighed as she looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Three days of stress had taken its toll. Dark circles underscored her eyes, weary from the restless nights she’d spent lying next to Rafe. She glanced at the prickly heat covering her chest and couldn't resist giving it another scratch, even though it only worsened the itch. She shuddered as she contemplated getting into the hot, irritating long johns again. Still, she couldn't bring herself to back down from her original position. It would make her look weak, and weakness was a luxury she couldn't afford in her battle of wills with Rafe.

Even though she loved him, he didn't love her back. That was no basis for intimacy. She needed the words even though he seemed incapable of saying them.

He never missed an opportunity to brush against her in the house or cuddle her in bed. Each time, he pushed the barrier of her resistance a little farther.

A tap on the door caused her to spin toward it while covering herself. When it didn't open, she slumped against the counter. Relief washed over her. "Yes?"

"Hurry up." Rafe's voice was impatient. "Are you going to stay in there all night?"

Sarah gritted her teeth. He'd been as grumpy as a wounded bear lately. "I'll be out in a minute."

After cooking and cleaning the first two days, she was exhausted. Thanks to Lisa's coaching, she'd fallen in sync with the routine of ranch life by day three. The worst part of her dayhad to be acting like a loving couple in front of the men. Only the strain she saw on Rafe's face made it all worthwhile. At least it let her know he was suffering, too. She pulled on the long johns and opened the door.

Rafe leaned against the jam. His sensual mouth curved into a rueful smile at the sight of her. "You know, wife, that union suit is getting ripe. Maybe you should throw it into the wash tomorrow."

Sarah snorted and moved past him. "If I find a little time, I might do that." She walked to the bed, pulled back the covers, and got in. Leaving the blankets down, she rolled onto her side, not wanting to see Rafe's nudity.

The other side of the bed sank as he got in. He flipped the covers over the two of them, and her body temperature immediately elevated. It was going to be another unbearable night. She squirmed, stifling a moan when the wool rubbed against her irritated skin. Then she scratched her shoulder.

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