The Traveling Kind

She’d known his type right from the start.  When Charley Collins needed a cowboy for her Idaho ranch, she had no choice but to hire Shad Russell.  He was a drifter and a loner — and undeniably attractive.  Falling in love with a man like Shad would be asking for heartache.  “It’s a fine life you lead,” she told him, “but it would be terrible for the girl foolish enough to think she could change you.”  “And you aren’t a fool,” he replied.  No, she wasn’t a fool, Charley told herself.  But that was before he kissed her…

“Chuck would be good for you.”  Shad’s voice was hard as he continued, “You really should marry him, Charley.”  Tears stung Charley’s eyes – tears of anger and frustration., “Why is everyone pushing me at Chuck?  No one has even bothered to ask me what I want!”  “I know what you want.”  Shad’s gaze centered on her lips, and the desire that burned in his eyes stole her anger.  His mouth began a slow descent toward hers, stopping before their lips touched.  His breath caressed her, his smell intoxicated her, and she felt dizzy as he murmured, “I’m no good for you, Charley.  But it doesn’t seem to matter, does it?”  “No,” she whispered, and stopped listening to her common sense.