And the way her body tightened, almost as if in anticipation, really annoyed her.

Since when had she lost control of herself when it came to this man? “What do you want?”

Cade pondered the question as if she seriously wanted an answer. What did he want? Lots of things, most of which would probably send her screaming from the barn if she knew.

He wanted her to drop her guard around him.

He wanted to haul her close.

He wanted to be far away so that he could stop thinking about her night and day.

But mostly he wanted…her. He wanted Delia Scanlon, the woman.

Telling her that would only give her the ammunition she needed to further retreat and hide from him. “Do you always talk to the animals?” he asked. “Or is it a full moon?”

“Were you eavesdropping on me?”

“No.”

Relief flickered across her features until he spoke again. “Does my smile leave you as boneless as my horse’s?”

Now those eyes that so fascinated him flashed with anger and a good amount of embarrassment. “You were eavesdropping on me. How dare you?”

He’d dare anything for her. He was certain she had no idea how sexy she looked with the gloves too large for her hands, the leather apron dwarfing her lovely body, her eyes filled with confusion. She had no idea what she was doing out here, but heaven forbid she admit that, or admit she needed his help. She was adorable. Irresistible. Dammit.

“I came right through the open door, Delia.” He gestured and she tossed an angry glare over her shoulder to see for herself.

Indeed the door was wide open, revealing the dark night and starlit sky. It was a sight that never failed to stab directly into his heart, because when he was here, on this mountain out in the middle of nowhere, he felt safe. He felt as though he were home. He felt warm and fuzzy, even happy.

Not that he wanted to feel safe. Or at home. He sure as hell didn’t want to feel warm and fuzzy. These were emotions and feelings he didn’t allow himself.

“Just so you don’t stroke that ego any more than necessary,” Delia said. “It wasn’t your smile I was talking about.”

Good. That was good. It would help during those dark hours of the night when he couldn’t sleep, couldn’t do anything but think about how she felt in his arms. “I’ll remember that,” he said, moving farther into the barn.

Her eyes widened slightly at his proximity, the only sign she gave that he did indeed affect her every bit as much as she affected him.

And as much as he might like to explore the physical aspect of that, he couldn’t. Delia was different. He couldn’t imagine her taking any part of a relationship lightly, especially sex. No, she wouldn’t give herself without love, and since he didn’t do love, not anymore, they were destined to do this strange emotional two-step around each other.

Maybe it was to be his own personal penance for what he’d lost, but he would have thought just being alive when his wife and son were not was enough. Whatever it was, it was his hell, not hers, and he needed to remember that.

As if that would help keep his hands and mind off her.

“And I can resist you,” she said coolly as she took a step back, dropping the pitchfork she obviously had no idea how to use. “Just in case you were wondering.”

He came closer because he had to. “Because we aren’t suited.”

“Exactly,” she said, taking another step back.

Which he, of course, ignored as he came closer still. She smelled like heaven-sweet yet unbearably sexy. “And again, why is it we’re not suited?”

“Because you’re…you’re, you know. Wild. Rowdy. Uncontrollable.”

She said the last as if it was an unforgivable sin.

“Ah, that’s it,” he said. “Misbehaving, rough, ungroomed Cade McKnight. Dangerous. Edgy. Unsuitable. Right?”

A flicker of regret crossed her face. “I can’t be telling you anything you don’t know.” She was right. He did know.

So why was he pushing her?

“Why are you here?” she asked again, watching him with that slight vulnerability through her cool veneer, one that never failed to tug directly on the heart he wanted to be dead.

“I have something on the inheritance case,” he said, cursing himself for forgetting, even for one moment, how important this would be to her.

“What?” She took a step toward him and grabbed his shirt in her fists. “Tell me! What did you find?”

Her eyes were wide. Eager. And his heart ached again. “I finally got my hands on a copy of your mother’s death certificate. There’s an address listed.”

“Okay.” She processed this, then, still holding on to him, gave him a little shake. “What else?”

“I was able to locate the owner of the property, who told me an old friend of your mother’s still lives in the building. Dottie Owens. I’m going to go see her-maybe she’ll know something about your father.”

“In Los Angeles?”

Her fierce determination made him wary. So did the death grip she had on his shirt, which also involved a few chest hairs. “Yes.”

“I’m going with you.”

“Delia-”

“Don’t even try to stop me.”

He remembered when he’d accompanied her on her trip to see Jacob, remembered how, in spite of her anger, she’d appreciated the company, whether she admitted it or not.

Somehow, in reverse, he didn’t think he would appreciate her company, not when everything about her-her hope, her warmth, her independence, her strength-was packaged into one beautiful willowy desirable woman who drew him as no other had in far too long. “No,” he said hoarsely.

“Yes.”

So much for getting away from her.

The outdoors had never attracted Delia before. That it did now was a source of wonder. Normally the land was rich with vibrant colors, but now, facing the onset of cold weather, a sort of hush had fallen over the land.

Delia pulled on a heavy coat and gloves, drawn by something she didn’t understand, and made her way to the bluff overlooking the river.

There she stood, staring down at the awesome sight of the rushing water, thinking how this land didn’t seem so alien now. That maybe it had started to worm its way into her resistant heart.

You’re coming back…to see me?

The words echoed in her head from the phone conversation she’d just had with Jacob. He’d been taken off guard and, being so young, had been unable to hold back his first reaction, which had been hopeful joy.

Then he’d caught himself and had reined in his emotions. “Didn’t think you’d come back home,” he’d stated.

“I’m coming back,” Delia had said, her voice a little thick with emotion, “over and over again. But my home…is here in Idaho.” And for the first time she really believed that, and it felt good. Into his bleak silence, she’d said, “Maybe you’ll want to come here someday.”

More silence.

“We have animals here,” she said desperately.

“Like horses?”

“Lots. You could ride one if you like.” It was pure bribery, but she’d use whatever it took.

“That’d be fine,” he’d said casually, but he hadn’t fooled Delia. It wasn’t indifference he felt, only fear, which broke her heart. He was testing her, making sure she was going to stick around.

Which she was, through thick and thin. He’d never be disappointed by family again.

She heard a horse approaching from behind, and thinking Zoe had come seeking her out, she turned with a smile meant to assure her sister she was all right.

And met Cade’s gaze, instead.

He was still fifty feet back. Would he actually acknowledge her, she wondered, or ignore her as he’d done his best to do these past few days?

Granted, they’d all been busy with their guests, but it was more than that. For whatever reason, ever since he’d told her of his lead, Cade had backed off.

She told herself that was just fine with her, but she still tensed at the mere sight of him.