Page 145 of To Catch a Latte Thick as Thieves

“That’s why so many people get hooked,” Jared agreed. “Some move here for a little while and find they never want to leave.”

“Hmm.” Cat could believe it.

They rode to the top of one of the nearby hills. There was a beautiful view of the ranch, and Cat was amazed at how high they’d climbed. The view of town was blocked by a series of larger hills that Jared called the Copper Creek Buttes. According to Jared, there was an excellent hike to the top of them, but the trail was not well marked and several people had gotten lost amongst them.

“You should always mark your trail when you’re out in the wilderness,” Jared said. “Bend a branch on a bush or make a pattern with some rocks, something that will remind you of which way you came.”

Cat ignored the meaningful look Jared cast her as he imparted this information. Really, the man acted as if she couldn’t tie her shoes by herself.

They rounded a bend and came upon a large clearing in which sat the wooden frame of a house under construction.

“Come here, I want to show you something.” Jared motioned her off her horse.

Cat tried to swing her right leg free, but it wouldn’t budge.

“Come on, Cat,” Jared said, dismounting and tying Diablo to a Cottonwood tree.

Cat leaned forward. Her knees were locked and her legs felt as if they were tied to the saddle. She leaned backward, but her feet just slid deeper into the stirrups. She pushed up on the saddle horn. No luck. She could not get her legs free.

“Cat, are you okay?” Jared asked.

“I’m fine,” she said, feeling her face get warm with embarrassment. “I’m just...I’m stuck.”

“What?” he asked.

“You heard me. I’m stuck.”

“Oh, that’s right. You’re a greenhorn.” Jared laughed and strode over to stand beside the horse. He opened his arms and said, “Fall.”

“What?”

“Let go and fall,” he said. “Don’t worry. I’ll catch you.”

With a frown, Cat did as he said. Jared caught her and gently set her on the ground. A shooting pain stabbed Cat in the posterior. It was all she could do not to hug her rump and moan.

“Come on, tenderfoot, walk it out,” Jared said.

“Where are we?” she asked, limping beside him.

“This is my house,” he said.

“You’re building this?” She gasped in pleased surprise.

“You like it?” he asked warily.

“Are you kidding? It’s gorgeous. The view alone is breathtaking.”

Jared felt air sweep through his lungs and was surprised. He hadn’t been aware he was holding his breath. This was good, he reassured himself, now all he had to do was convince Cat that she belonged here.

“Let me show you the rooms,” he suggested and led her through the frame, telling her what had been planned and probing her for suggestions and ideas. Cat fell in with the plan immediately. She loved his ideas for the master bedroom, but was prepared to do battle with him over the kitchen.

“You can’t put the appliances against the west wall,” she argued, shaking her head. “You want windows on this wall. Just imagine the sunsets you’d miss if the appliances are here.”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” Jared lied. She didn’t need to know he was already planning to put windows there. “You’re right. I’ll have to tell the workmen to change it.”

“Good.” Cat nodded. “I’m sure you’ll like that much better.”

“Well, I don’t cook very much for myself.” Jared shrugged with false disinterest. “So, I don’t suppose it will make much difference to me. But when I get married, I’m sure it will probably matter to my wife. Women seem to care about that kind of thing.”