"I told you to secure your fence-line. Now it's too late. If that stallion of yours injures our thoroughbred, you'll pay big. Real big. Baby Blue'sworth a fortune. If he goes down, it'll cost you your ranch."

Leah glared at the foreman.

"You deliberately moved Baby Blue and those mares to this pasture in order torile up our stallion. As to the fence... we reinforced it just last week.The only way Dreamseeker could have broken through is if you cut the wire."

He laughed.

"Knowing something's one thing. Proving it is a whole different story."

"She won't have to," Hunter said in a clipped voice.

"I will."

With a shrill roar, Dreamseeker reared back, then dropped to the ground witha bone-jarring thud and charged. Baby Blue, his eyes rolling back in hishead, raced to meet his challenger. . ^ "No!" Leah shrieked. Without thought or consideration of the danger, she slammed her heels into herhorse's flanks, slipping and sliding down the hill.

"Leah!" she heard Hunter shout.

She ignored him, fighting to stay in the saddle while forcing her mare toward the heat of battle. Halfway down the hill, she realized that the terrified animal would go no further.

Leah reined to a stop and flung herself out of the saddle. In two seconds flat she'd ripped her rain-slicker free. Screaming at the top of her lungs, she ran straight at the stallions, slapping the bright yellow oilskin in the air as hard as she could.

Just as she reached them the thoroughbred went down, and a sudden image of Hunter distracting the bull with his shirt flashed through her mind. Before Dreamseeker could move in for the kill she threw the slicker directly into her horse's face. He shied wildly, dropping his head and shaking it in an attempt to rid himself of the entrapping coat.

"Leah, move!" Hunter yelled, sprinting to her side. Clamping an arm around her waist, he threw her clear of the danger. Without a moment's hesitation he planted himself between her and imminent peril, nothing at hand with which to protect himself but his rope.

Dreamseeker bucked madly and finally succeeded in flinging the slicker off his head. He froze for an instant, as though trying to decide whether to charge the man or the downed stallion. It was all the opportunity Hunter needed. In one swift move his rope ripped through the air, snagging the stallion's forefeet. Throwing every ounce of ma.s.s and muscle behind the effort. Hunter wrenched the rope taut, dropping the horse in his tracks.

Spinning around, he ran flat out toward Leah. s.n.a.t.c.hing her to her feet with one hand, he hurled the rope around the nearest tree with the other. With more speed than artistry he secured the rope, effectively hobbling the horse.

Breathing hard, he slowly turned to face Leah.

"Woman, you and I are going to have a serious conversation. And, when it's done, your sit-down may be a little the worse for wear."

"Are you threatening me with physical violence?" Leah asked in disbelief.His wrath shredded his rigid control."You're d.a.m.ned right I'm threatening you with physical violence!" he bit out."After what you pulled you'll be lucky if that's all I threaten you with.""I couldn't just wait while one of those stallions killed the other!"He towered over her, his hands clenched, a muscle leaping in his jaw."Oh, yes, you could have, and you d.a.m.ned well should have. Before this day is through I intend to explain it to you in terms you won't soon forget. For now, you have a more pressing matter to take care of."

"What's that?"

He gestured.

"Your horse," he said flatly. She couldn't believe she'd been so easily sidetracked. To her relief, shesaw that Baby Blue had regained his feet and abandoned the field of battle,driving his harem of mares before him. She ran toward Dreamseeker, carefulto keep a safe distance. Slowly she circled the downed animal, searching forany serious damage. He lay on his side, blowing hard and trembling, butwithout apparent injury. Before she could decide how to handle the stallion's safe return to his pasture.

Bull Jones rode up.

"Move out of the way, Leah," he ordered furiously. She looked up, horrifiedto discover Bull's Remington free of his scabbard and aimed at her stallion."I'm gonna shoot that bronco right between the eyes.If you don't want to get hurt, you'll stand clear. "Leah never saw Hunter move. One minute Bull sat astride his horse, the next minute he lay flat on his back, his gun thrown out of reach and Hunter's footplanted in the center of his chest.

"We never had the chance to introduce ourselves," Hunter said in a soft,menacing voice.

"It's time to correct that oversight." "I don't care who you are, hombre. Get the h.e.l.l off me and get the h.e.l.l offmy land." He squirmed in the dirt, attempting to worm his way out of hispredicament. Not that it did him any good. Leah could tell he'd remain where he was until Hunter decided otherwise.

"First, it's not your land." The boot pressed a little harder. "And second,the name's Pryde. Hunter Pryde. You call me hombre once more and you won'tbe talking--or chewing--any time soon."

"PrydeV Bull's eyes bulged."I know you! You're--' " Leah's husband," Hunter interrupted smoothly."Aw, shoot. I didn't know you were Pryde..." Bull protested."You shoulda said something.""Being a fair and reasonable man, I'm going to give you two choices.You can get up, climb on your horse, and ride out of here, nice and friendly-like, or you can stay and we'll discuss the situation further.

Well, muchacho? What's it going to be? "

"Let me up. I'll leave."Hunter removed his foot and stepped back. And though he seemed relaxed--hishands at his sides, his legs slightly spread--Leah knew that he stood poisedfor action should Bull offer any further threat.

The foreman slowly gained his feet and reached for his rifle.

"Don't bother. You won't be needing it," Hunter said, an unmistakablewarning in his voice."And one more thing.""What's that?" Bull asked warily."As you ride out of here, take a final, long look around."

Understanding dawned and a heavy flush crept up Bull's neck."You can't do that. I have pull, you know."Hunter's chilly smile was empty of humor."I have more.""You haven't heard the last of this," Bull growled, mounting up."Any time you want to finish the discussion, feel free to drop by.I'll be happy to accommodate you. " Hunter waited until the foreman had ridden out of earshot before switching his attention to Lean.

"Your turn."

"How can you do that?" she demanded, gesturing toward Bull's rapidly

retreating back.

"How can you fire him?"

Hunter's gaze became enigmatic.

"Let's just say that Buddy Peterson will find it in his best interest to

follow through with my... suggestion."A tiny frown creased her brow. After a moment's consideration she nodded."Let's hope you're right.""I am."He took a step in her direction and she froze. As much as she'd have liked to run for the hills, she refused to back down.

"I know. I know. It's my turn. Well, go ahead. Yell at me some more.Stomp around and cuss if you want. Just get it over with.""This isn't some sort of joke. Lean." He s.n.a.t.c.hed her close, practically shaking her.

"You could have been killed. And there wouldn't have been a d.a.m.ned thing I

could have done to prevent it.

I'd never have reached you in time. "

"I had to save Dreamseeker," she protested.

He thrust her away, as though afraid of what he might do if he continued to

touch her.

"You don't get it, do you? That horse is nothing compared to your safety. I should have let Jones shoot the d.a.m.ned animal and be done with

She caught her breath in disbelief.

"You can't be serious."

His eyes burned with barely suppressed rage, his features set in stark, remote lines.

"I'm dead serious. You promise me here and now that you won't ever, for any

reason, risk your life for that horse again, or he goes."He wasn't kidding. She could tell when a man had reached the end of his ropeand, without question. Hunter had reached it. Slowly she nodded.

"I promise."

"I intend to hold you to that promise," he warned.

She twisted her hands together.

"But you won't sell Dreamseeker?"

His voice turned dry, the rage slowly dying from his eyes.

"Don't worry, Leah. Your horse is safe for now, even if you aren't. Mount

up. Let's get this bronco home. And when we get there, and my temper has had a chance to cool, you and I will finish this conversation."

"That'll be some time next week, right?" she dared to suggest.He yanked the brim of his stetson low over his brow. "Try next month." Andwith that he headed for his horse.

Hunter placed a call to Kevin Anderson, not bothering to waste time on preliminaries.

"I fired Bull Jones today."

Kevin swore softly.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Take care of it. Make sure there aren't any... complications."

"Is it Leah? Has she found out?""No. I don't think so. But considering I gave Jones his walking papers infront of her, it'll be a miracle if she doesn't at least suspect."

"If she does ' " Don't worry," Hunter interrupted sharply.

"I'll handle my wife."

A small sound brought his head around. Leah stood at the door, looking nervous and uncertain. Had she heard? he wondered, keeping his expression impa.s.sive. He gestured for her to come in.

"Listen, I have to go, Kevin. I'll be in touch."

He hung up, not waiting for an answer. He stood up and walked around the desk, leaning against the edge. There he stayed, silent and watchful, as she approached. Catching her braid, he tugged her close.

He wanted her. G.o.d, he wanted her. And he knew without a doubt that she wanted him as well. He could see it in her eyes, in the faint trembling of her lips and the rapid pounding of her heart.

Not bothering to conceal the strength of his desire, he pulled her roughly between his legs. Her eyes widened, the color almost violet with emotion.

Her breath came swiftly between her parted lips, a delicate flush tinting her cheeks. It took only a minute to un braid her hair, spreading the silvery curls around them like a silken cloak.

Unable to resist, he kissed her, taking her softness with a desire fast flaring out of control.

"Don't fight me," he muttered against her mouth.

"Not now. Not any more."

"Fight you?" she said, her voice wavering between laughter and pa.s.sion.

"I wish I could."

"Then kiss me, Leah. Kiss me like you mean it."