She hid behind a bush, though the branches with their dried leaves could hardly conceal her. Her mind traveled back to the first time she’d happened upon Wyatt at the river, how he’d been in his union suit. She had been embarrassed to see him in such scant attire and also reluctant to disturb his morning routine. Since then, she’d refrained from going to the river until he had time to groom and bathe.
Now in full daylight, his sculpted chest and arms and shoulders were fully visible. As he splashed water over his arms and scrubbed away the blood, she couldn’t make herself look away. She knew she ought to. She was leaving the ranch and couldn’t let herself admire this man, not when she’d never see him again.
She took a step back, but then he straightened and she froze again. The sunlight glistened off the water that ran down his arms and chest into the trousers that sat low on his hips. He’d discarded his hat in the grass next to his shirt, and his hair was damp and slicked back. His handsome features were made darker by the unshaven stubble that covered his jaw and chin.
He was the handsomest man she’d ever seen. She’d known it the day she’d first watched him saunter down the street toward her in Fairplay. And it was truer now seeing him this way.
She’d once marveled that he’d been interested in her since she wasn’t anyone special and didn’t have the ravishing beauty of some women. Now, after knowing about the cattle deal, she realized he hadn’t had any initial feelings of attraction.
Even if his interest had developed over the past few months, she no longer knew how to interpret his intentions.
“And it doesn’t matter,” she whispered to herself sternly. It didn’t matter what Wyatt thought about her. She was leaving, and he’d be free to find a woman of his own choosing when he was ready rather than having a stranger foisted on him.
“I can see you, Greta.” Humor laced his voice.
She pulled herself up tall, trying to retain some dignity. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d be bathing, or I wouldn’t have come.”
“Didn’t think you’d want me walking into the cabin full of blood and guts.”
“True.” Although, after today it wouldn’t matter. The thought filled her with wistfulness. “I’ll let you finish and meet you at the cabin.”
Without waiting for a response, she started back up the path and was surprised a moment later when he caught up with her, leading his horse. Although he’d put his hat back on, he was still bare chested.
As he fell into step next to her, she couldn’t stop from ogling him once more. Up close, his body was more beautiful, the muscles in his arms taut and bulging, his chest smooth and corded.
He slanted a glance at her and cocked a brow.
Heat infused her cheeks, and she picked up her pace. “You really should put your shirt on.”
“I reckon you’re right, and I apologize.” He kept stride with her. “But figured you wouldn’t want to see me decked out in this.” He held up his balled-up shirt, which was damp with sweat and blood and all manner of filth.
She was acting like a prude when there was no reason to. “I should be the one apologizing. You have every reason to go shirtless, and I shouldn’t even be thinking about such things at a time like this.”
“What things?”
“Your bare chest.” The moment the words were out, she flushed again. “I mean, I shouldn’t be thinking about how you look without a shirt—” She cut herself off. The more she talked, the more awkward she was making the situation. She’d do better to say nothing more about it, to change topics entirely.
“How do I look?”
“I’d rather not say.” As they crested the rise, the cabin came into view, and she was suddenly anxious to disappear inside and put a safe distance between herself and Wyatt.
“Hopefully, better than I feel.” He released a weary sigh, one that stirred her compassion. After all that had happened and the long hours of work, he had to be weary and hungry and frustrated.
“You look good,” she conceded, hoping to encourage him but once again feeling as though she’d overstepped herself.
“Good? That’s all?” His tone contained a note of teasing that helped ease some of her discomfort.
“I refuse to say anything further.” She lowered her head, letting the brim of her bonnet shield her embarrassment.
He reached for her hand and stopped abruptly, tugging her to a halt next to him and twisting her until she was facing him. He stood an arm’s length away and examined her from her head to her toes, the light in his eyes making her skin tingle with strange anticipation.
She waited for him to say something, but he dropped his gaze and let it wander again. “What are you doing?” She was surprised to find herself somewhat breathless.
“You got to stare at me. Figured it’s only fair I get to do the same to you.”
“There’s nothing to stare at.” She tried to tug her hand free.
He held her fast. “From where I’m standing, there’s a whole lot to stare at. You’re the prettiest woman I ever did see.”
The tingles changed to hot streaks that raced along her limbs. Even so, the insecurity of moments ago came back. “You’re just being nice.”
“Nice? I ain’t in the habit of saying things to be nice.” His fingers tightened against hers, and with his other hand he reached up and skimmed her collarbone.
The touch was so light and unexpected and exquisite she forgot to breathe.
For a moment his fingers stalled, then he captured the fluttering ribbon of her bonnet and tugged it, loosening first one side and then the other. Before she knew it, he pushed her hat back so she was left defenseless without anything to hide behind.
As she allowed herself to meet his gaze, she lost herself in the heartache and desperation in the dark, vast woodland of his eyes. She could read there his keen disappointment in losing his cattle and now possibly having to give up on his ranch. She could read the frustration and understood it well after how hard they’d worked all autumn. And she could sense his disappointment in himself for not finding a way to make his dreams come true.
He lifted his hand, and this time he caressed her neck starting by her earlobe and ending at the hollow of her throat. Again, she couldn’t breathe, could only watch the murky brown of his eyes and feel his pain deep within herself.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered hoarsely. “I never meant to hurt you. And now that I’ve lost everything I’ve been working for, I realize you’re all I really want.”
His words, his touch, the honesty—it reached deep inside and stirred the emotion she’d been trying so hard to ignore, an emotion she could no longer deny. In spite of everything, she was without a doubt falling in love with Wyatt.
“With all that’s going on,” he continued, his voice still hoarse, “I know this ain’t the best timing. But I had to see you and ask you to wait to go—at least ’til we can talk. I kept thinking I’d ride back today only to find you and Astrid long gone.”
She started to nod, but then froze. “Hasn’t Astrid been out working with you and Judd?”
“Nope.” His brow shot up, and his eyes clouded with confusion.