missed it. Leaving the stall, he slung the remains of the bale on to thestack and crossed to her side. His hat brim threw his face into shadow, butshe could see the dark glitter of his eyes and the taut line of his jaw. Washe angry? She couldn't quite tell.

"And why," he asked softly, 'would you want to address the board of Lyon Enterprises? "

Her voice sharpened."I've had it with these people. As far as I'm concerned this latest offer isthe final straw. I'm not putting up with it any more. I'm going to make itclear that I won't be entertaining any future offers and that I won't sell tothem. Ever.

If necessary I'll even tell them what you said that our prenuptial agreement gives you first right of refusal. "

He shook his head.

"Over my dead body. That's no- body's business but ours.""Okay," she conceded, uncertain of hisctemperament. Any time his voicedropped to such a low, husky note she tended to tread warily.

"But I still want to go to Houston and talk to them. And I want you to gowith me.""Why?" he said again.She glanced at him uncertainly."To support me, if you're willing."

He turned away, resting a booted foot on the haystack. She could tell from the tense set of his shoulders that she'd thrown him, and she studied his.e.xpressionless profile in concern. Perhaps she'd pushed it by requesting hissupport. If only she could read his thoughts, she'd know. But he'd alwaysbeen exceptionally successful at keeping them hidden from her.

Finally he nodded."Okay. I'll go. We'll leave Friday and spend the weekend at my apartment.""You have an apartment in Houston?" she asked in astonishment."You can see for yourself when we get there." His brows drew together."Leah, I need you to agree to something."She eyed him warily."What?"He stripped off his gloves and tucked them into his belt. "Once you've confronted the board, I want to handle the situation from then on."

"But it's not your problem."

"Yes, it is. Anything that affects this ranch is my problem. And dealing

with companies like Lyon Enterprises is my area of expertise--my former area of expertise."

"Do you think you can get them to leave me alone?"

"No. But I can do a good job of holding them at bay. I'm better equipped than you to wage this war."

Suddenly she recalled her need for a knight on a white charger, battling the

nasty dragon in order to save the damsel in distress.

When Hunter had shown up she'd been sure he was the dragon, and that she'd have to fight her own battles. Now she wondered. Perhaps they'd fight those battles together, and Lyon Enterprises would be vanquished once and for all.

"Let me have my say, and then it's your problem," she promised.

"Fine." He dropped an arm across her shoulders. "I'm starved. How about you?"

She grinned. It felt as though the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders.

"I think I could eat a horse," she confessed, and walked with him to the

house.

Late that night Hunter lifted the phone receiver and punched in a series of

numbers. A minute later Kevin answered.

"It's me," Hunter said.

"I'm coming in. Call the board together."

"What's wrong?" Kevin demanded.

"What happened?"

"Leah received Lyon's latest offer and wants to meet with them."

"She whatT " You heard me. "

"What the h.e.l.l are you going to do?"

"Introduce her to the board of Lyon Enterprises, what else?"

"I mean... what are you going to do? What if... what if she finds out?"

"She won't." Hunter spoke with absolute confidence.

"Why not?"

"Because no one would dare tell her anything."

"If they think it'll help with the sale--' " Once they meet her, they'll see

that she trusts me," Hunter cut in briskly.

"And they'll realize it's to their advantage to keep quiet.

Telling her who I am won't help their cause any, and they're smart enough to

know it. "

A long moment of silence followed while Kevin mulled over Hunter's words.

"You could be right. You usually are. I'll tell everyone you're coming."

"And open up the apartment. We'll be spending the weekend there.""Won't she be suspicious? It's not precisely a poor man's pad.""She'll have other things on her mind by that time."Kevin gave a knowing chuckle."Understood. See you Friday.""Right."Hunter hung up and leaned back in the chair. Matters were rapidly coming to a head. More than anything he'd like to get this situation over and donewith, but some things just couldn't be rushed. And this, though he'd preferit otherwise, was one of them.

He heard a soft knock and Leah opened the door."Busy?" she asked."No. Come on in."She stepped into the room, standing just outside the spill of lamplight and wearing a knee-length cotton nightshirt. Unfortunately, this one wasn't theleast transparent. His mouth tightened. As much as he enjoyed seeing hiswife in next to nothing, he couldn't have her running around half- dressed.One of these days he'd need to make a serious effort to break her of thehabit.

"Who were you talking to?" she asked."A business a.s.sociate."She came closer. Her hair, cascading past her waist, caught the light from the desk lamp and gleamed like fallen moonbeams.

"Is there a problem?"

He shook his head.

"Just thought I'd tell him I'd be in town at the end of the week."

"Oh." She stood a little uncertainly in the middle of the room.

"Are you coming to bed soon?"

He shoved back the chair and walked toward her."Is now soon enough?""Yes." She couldn't quite meet his eyes and he felt her sudden tension.He reached her side and stared down into her face. He'd never seen such perfection. Her eyes glowed like amethysts, her heart-shaped face full of

strength and character and determination.

"I want to make love to you," he told her bluntly, thrusting his fingers into the silken fall of her hair.

"I've been patient long enough."

She twisted her hands together.

"I know. But..."

"Friday," he stated, catching her chin with his knuckle and forcing her to

look at him."I want a decision by Friday, Leah. You have to commit at some point."Slowly she nodded."Okay. Friday. We'll meet with the Lyon board and then have the rest of the weekend to ourselves."He smiled in satisfaction."Done. And now, wife, it's time for bed."He slid an arm around her and lifted her close. She trembled in his arms, which told him more than anything his effect on her.

"Hunter--' He sensed that her nervousness had gotten the better of her, that given the opportunity she'd rescind her agreement. He stopped her words with a swift, rough kiss, then took her mouth again in a second, slower, more

thorough kiss-- a precursory taste of the pleasure he intended to share with her over the weekend.

They left early on Friday, arranging to meet with the Lyon personnel after

lunch. Leah had dressed carefully, choosing a pearl-gray suit, matchingpumps and a white silk blouse. To add a touch of sophistication, she'dlooped her hair into a businesslike chignon, and as a morale booster displayed the necklace Hunter had given her as a wedding-gift.

To her surprise. Hunter dressed casually, exchanging his jeans for cotton trousers, his plaid shirt no different from the ones he wore when working.