HER SECRET 17

‘Sierra’s a gracious woman. She’s got no call to be unfriendly to you.’

Leeann chewed her bottom lip. ‘I hope she’s not bein’ overly gracious. Matt. You never mentioned you’d be workin’ out there on the weekends too. Be careful, please. I know you’ve been away a long time, but things don’t change as fast in Winter as they do everywhere else. I don’t want to see you get hurt again, not by her.’

‘I can take care of myself. You have enough to worry about, Leeann.’

‘I’d worry about you less if you’d find some woman who was worth your time and marry her. One of Jerry’s friends has a sister who’s single, and I could invite . . .’

‘Forget it. Turtle. I’m not getting married and I’m not staying in Winter. That’s what you want, isn’t it? You’d love for me to tie myself down here.’

‘I ain’t denyin’ it, Matt. It’s good havin’ you back. But I’d sooner run you out of town myself than to think that she-devil was toyin’ with you again, like a cat playing with a ball of string.’

‘You overestimate Sie