The moment Celine came out the kitchen door, she knew her hair was going to go curly.

She looked up at the sky and her eyes widened. Clouds rolled in at a fast pace. Dark clouds heavy with rain.

“Are you kidding me?” She pushed her formerly smooth hair away from her face. “It was clear and bone dry when I got here, and now it’s going to storm?” She ground her teeth. “Just what we need.”

The screen banged shut behind her as Jayson followed her outside. She cast a look over her shoulder. She wanted to kick her own ass for the instant attraction she felt toward Jayson. Her whole body sang with need. She hadn’t felt real desire for any man for longer than she cared to admit. But now, with Jayson…

It wasn’t just desire for this man. Something else was there that made her question her sanity.

“Storms come up quick around here this time of year.” Jayson swept his gaze over the horizon as he and Thor came to a stop beside her. “Living in the mountain’s shadow has some benefit, such as a decent amount of rainfall during our monsoon season, compared to lower parts of the valley.”

Celine looked at him incredulously. “You’re great with this?”

He gave a slow nod. “We’re in the high desert and we’ve been having a drought for more than a decade. We need every drop we can get.”

“I’m surprised you wouldn’t be upset.” She glared at the sky. “If we get rained out, we’ll be here that much longer.” She couldn’t afford to pay the team for days lost, not with how money had been flying out the window for one expense after another.

Jayson hooked his thumbs in his pockets. “That’s true, but like I said, we need that water.” He went on, “Often we get short spurts, and that’s frequently in small pockets across the valley rather than one big storm that covers the entire area.”

“And that’s important how?” she said.

“Seems like you didn’t have enough coffee.” Was that amusement in his eyes?

She narrowed her gaze. He’d better stay on her good side—she still had her Warrior Princess sword, and she knew how to use it.

Before she could share that fact, he said. “You might send some of your crew to do an indoor shoot for today. We’ve got a nice mall about ten miles from here.”

“Ten miles?” She looked at him in surprise. “That’s your closest?”

“Yep.” He nodded. “Or you could hang out here and hope it lets up.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and opened a weather app. “Today’s forecast calls for a good deal of lightning and thunder, part of a strong storm developing in this part of the valley.”

She shook her head. “This sucks with a capital S.” Okay, so sucks wasn’t so mature, but she wasn’t feeling real adult right now. “I don’t want to adult today,” she muttered as she looked up at the sky. “You can’t make me adult.”

A brilliant burst of lightning cracked the sky.

The heavens opened as if the lightning had torn open a rift in the dark, swirling clouds.

Huge drops of rain fell, as thunder rumbled loud enough to shake the ground.

Celine sputtered and wiped mascara from her eyes with her fingertips. “Now what?”

“Get inside,” Jayson said behind her. “There’s lightning in the distance, and you never know if it’ll start here.”

Lightning flashed, illuminating the dark sky for one moment. Celine groaned.

“Plenty of towels, so you can dry off in my house,” he said. “You can wait out the storm.”

“I need to talk to Rod and my photographer.” She had to shout over another roll of thunder. She hoped James had managed to get his equipment out of the rain.

Jayson said. “Got a few things I need to take care of, too.”

She was pleased to see the trailers had been moved farther away from the barn, per her instruction before she went in for coffee with Jayson.

“Does this happen all the time?” Water plastered her face as they walked away from the house.

Water rolled off the brim of his western hat. “During monsoon season, we like to hope it will.”

She scowled at him. “Night would be a more considerate time to rain.”

“I’ve never heard of the desert being considerate.” He grinned and started toward the barn. “I’m going to check on the horses.”

An ache developed in her head. She hated how the backs of her eyes prickled every time horses were mentioned. Damnit. She had put that world behind her so long ago.

How could she still hurt so deeply after all these years had passed?

A voice rang in her mind. Your fault. It was all your fault.

How could she have known?

That didn’t matter. It was ultimately her fault. The storm muffled her words. “I should be over it by now.” But she wasn’t.

Stop it, Celine.

She stepped into a puddle and her sandal slipped in mud. She yelped as both feet slid from beneath her.

Mud splattered her face and covered her clothing as she landed on her butt hard, jarring her teeth. She just sat in the puddle liked a piglet in a bathtub filled with mud. Of course the piglet would have been ecstatic.

Celine held up her arms, trying to process that she was covered nearly head to toe. The ick she’d landed in smelled as if she’d fallen into a wet pile of manure.

She looked up at the sky and rain washed her mud-spattered face.

Today she hadn’t worn her own fashion design. She’d decided to wear more conservative clothing. She groaned as she looked down and assessed the damage. Prada sandals, annihilated. Dior slacks, ruined. Vera Wang blouse, destroyed. Victoria’s Secret bra and panties, history.

“A fine mess you’ve got us in, Celine.” Mess was right.

Should she scream? Cry? Laugh?

A giggle escaped her before she could stop it. She clapped both hands over her mouth and accidentally smeared her face and lips with more mud.

She sputtered and spat the ick. “That’s so gross.”

Yet another giggle rose and this time she let loose with laughter. It continued to rain, but she sat in the smelly pile of mud and crap and laughed.

“Are you all right, Celine?”

She looked up to meet Jayson’s face as he crouched beside her. He might have been concerned, but his eyes were filled with laughter.

“Go ahead.” She grasped a ball of mud from the bottom of the puddle and raised it. “Laugh and you’ll be wearing this. On your face.” She narrowed her gaze. “I’m a pretty good shot.”

“You don’t have to worry about me, honey.” Jayson’s eyes still glittered with restrained laughter. “I’ve seen you shoot a drone from the sky. I don’t need any other proof.”

Honey?

“I’ll sure as hell laugh.” Monty chuckled as he came closer. “I doubt you could hit the broad side of a barn if you were five feet away.”

“Really.” She snapped her wrist and flung the mud ball at Monty.

It splattered across his face.

Thor barked, as if in approval.

“Right on your barn-sized nose,” she said while laughing at the astonished look on Monty’s face. “You very much deserved that.”

His tone grew harsh, angry. “You—”

Celine nailed him again.

Cheers and laughter filled the air and Celine glanced up to see some of their staff gathered round.

She looked at each man there—almost the whole team was present. Of course, the women members of the team were too smart to be standing around, laughing at the woman who signed their paychecks.

“Anyone else want to try me?” Celine asked.

“I wouldn’t.” Jayson’s voice came out in a rumble. “She’s got an arm like a pro.”

Celine rolled her eyes. “You heard the man.”

Snickers and more laughter.

All out of giggles, Celine decided she was ready to get out of the puddle now. She was becoming wetter, stickier, and stinkier by the moment.

“Come on.” Jayson held out his hand.

She took it, and he pulled her to her feet with the strength she had sensed before.

“Thank you,” she said when she was steady.

“I’ve got a mudroom.” He inclined his head toward the house. “Let’s get you in there and cleaned up.”

“Yes, let’s.” She ignored the remnants of laughter, but continued to enjoy Monty’s sputtering. She didn’t feel the least bit sorry for him. After all, he was the one who kept giving her bad news

So, I shot the messenger.

She giggled again.

They walked toward the house, Thor trotting at her side instead of Jayson’s. The rain had stopped.

“Didn’t it just get started?” Celine eyed the sky suspiciously. “It dumped on me, gave me a nice puddle to take a mud bath in, and it’s already over?” Clouds drifted apart, allowing the sunshine through. “Really?”

“Yep.” Jayson nodded. “That’s an Arizona monsoon for you.”

She could imagine how she must look as he opened a door and gestured to it. “You’ll feel a lot better with that mud off.”

“And smell a lot better.” She gave a self-deprecating grin. “Not my finest moment.”

“You can laugh at yourself,” he said. “I like that.”

“It’s either laugh or cry, and I choose the former,” she said. “I prefer to avoid pity parties altogether. That doesn’t mean I don’t have I-can’t-believe-this-crap-happened-to-me moments, or I’m-going-to-kill-you-if-I-don’t-get-coffee days.”

Jayson chuckled and shook his head.

Thor stayed outside as Jayson followed Celine into a room with a shower at one end that had frosted glass for privacy. Two industrial washing machines took up space on her right, with a large sink on the left, next to a double-sized fridge and a deep freezer.

She gestured to the freezer. “For the bodies of unsuspecting people who invade your property?”

“Nah.” He shook his head. “Those we bury on the back-forty. But don’t worry. The graves are well hidden.”

Celine reached the middle of the room, standing on tile the same color as the mud now drying on her clothing and body. She faced Jayson. “I have really got to get out of these clothes. I feel like I fell into one of those cow pies you have in the corral.”

“No comment,” he said with a wink as he walked past her and locked the door leading into the house. “When you’re finished, you can wrap up in one of these towels.” He opened a cabinet filled with dark brown towels, across from the shower, and pulled one down for her. “Then come on into the house.”

“I don’t suppose you have something more than a towel for me to wear until I can get other clothes?” she asked. “Maybe a T-shirt?”

He hung the towel on a hook beside the shower. “My kid sister is about your size and leaves a change of clothes or two for the times she’s home from college and stays at the ranch.”

“Thank you.” Celine’s shoulders relaxed as she started to unbutton her blouse. “I haven’t checked into the Prescott hotel yet, so my bags are in the car.” She cocked her head to the side. “I left my purse in Monty’s trailer, and my keys are in it.”

“If the sun is still shining, we can get your bags once you’re clean and feeling human again.” Jayson glanced through a window. “It’s clearing up, at least for the time being.”

“Sounds like a plan,” she said.

He touched his finger to the brim of his hat. He left by way of the back door into the house. She locked it behind him, just to make sure none of his ranch hands walked in on her. She wasn’t worried about Jayson. The man was polite and considerate from what she’d seen.

At this point, Celine wouldn’t have cared if Jayson had stayed. All she wanted was the shower. She turned it on and let it run until it was warm while she stripped out of what were now nothing more than filthy rags. There was no bringing silk and other fine materials back from the dead.

So, Dior, Vera, and Victoria went straight into a garbage bin next to the towel-stocked cabinet.

What had she been thinking when she dressed this morning? She hadn’t.

Back when—she swallowed—even then she’d known better than to wear nice clothes anywhere near a place that needed a barn. Guess she’d just been away from that world for too long to have any common sense left.

Yeah, common sense would have been a big help all right.

The Prada sandals she rinsed off in the shower before setting them on the floor outside the stall. They were ruined, too, but she could at least wear them until she got to the Prescott hotel. Tomorrow she’d head to the mall and find herself some sturdier shoes than what she had with her. She had plenty of undergarments in one of the suitcases in the car, but she needed jeans and T-shirts for the ranch.

When she stepped under the warm water, she melted into the spray. “This feels wonderful.” She took the washcloth, poured on the unscented soap, and scoured her body. She made sure she was entirely mud-free and stink-free by staying under the spray and cleaning up for a good fifteen minutes. The warm water was heaven after that mud bath.

She grabbed the huge man-sized towel that she could have wrapped around herself twice. She let her wet hair fall around her shoulders and grabbed her sandals before entering the house. The air-conditioned air chilled her refreshed skin, but in a good way.

“Feel better?”

Jayson’s deep voice startled her into grabbing her shoes tight to her chest as she whirled to face him.

She relaxed. “You do know that scaring me has consequences.”

He grinned. “Honey, I have a feeling just being around you has consequences.”

If any other man had called her honey, he might have found himself on his ass. She might not know martial arts, and might not have any fighting skills, but she did have her Xena sword somewhere… Well, so it was a plastic sword Meredith gave her as a joke for Christmas, but no one needed to know that.

She had a feeling that knocking Jayson on his butt would be tough, but she’d enjoy every moment of trying.

Her face warmed. If he only knew the direction of her thoughts…

“You can change in the guest room.” He held out a bundle of clothing. “These are some of Bailey’s, work clothes. She keeps her horse here while she’s in college, and takes care of him when she visits.”

Celine took the stack and her body became instantly aware of him with the slightest brush of their hands. Her nipples tightened beneath the towel, and a thrill went straight from her belly to between her thighs.

Her throat worked as they stood and stared at each other for a long moment. His eyes seemed to burn, the heat reaching out to her and drawing her in at the same time. Did he feel the same connection?

She did her best to regain her composure and took the stack. His fingers slid over hers again, scorching her, and for a moment she didn’t think she’d be able to breathe, much less think.

“The guestroom is down this hall.” He turned and a wave of relief washed over her. She’d go crazy if these feelings didn’t stop. Being near him for much longer was dangerous to her mental health.

Somehow, she kept her voice steady as she tried to match his pace. “Is the sky clear?”

“For the time being.” He slowed so that she could keep up with him. “It’s raining something fierce higher in the mountains, and a storm is rolling in from the south. Probably a good idea for your people to head into Prescott and come back in the morning.”

“That sucks.” She blew out her breath. “What’s a few thousand dollars down the drain? When I’ve already lost so much?” She muttered the last part to herself.

“As a businessman, I can understand the value of time and money.” Jayson glanced at her. “But this time of year, we have to be careful. Flashfloods frequently come down the arroyo from the mountains and they can be deadly.”

“Sounds serious.” She hugged the clean clothes to her chest as they walked. “Do you think it will rain in the morning?”

“It’s hard to tell this time of the year.” He shrugged. “You’re fairly safe in the mornings, but the storms are unpredictable. They tend to build up early to late afternoon.”

“Good to know.” Her mind ran through potential plans. “That means we need to get our work done in the mornings, as early as possible. Morning light is just going to have to do it.”

“No guarantees one way or another, but that’s probably a good idea.” They stopped in front of a doorway. “Here’s the guestroom. When you’re dressed, head down that hall.” He pointed in the opposite direction from the way they’d come. “You’ll know where you are once you hit the kitchen.”

“Great.” She tried to smile as she stepped into the room, but what she wanted to do was draw him inside with her and take full advantage of the perfect male specimen he was.

Guess my body is more alive than I thought.

In truth, it had nothing to do with being more alive, and had everything to do with Jayson McBride.

“I’ll be there in a few.” She smiled brightly, while wondering what it would be like to see him with his clothes off. Down, girl. Down! “It won’t take me long at all.”

The corner of Jayson’s mouth quirked, as if he’d heard her thoughts. “Coffee?”

She gave an enthusiastic nod. “A quick cup would help clear the fog.”

Jayson left and closed the door behind him. Celine slid on Bailey’s Wranglers that were so worn they were soft. They fit Celine a little snugly across her hips and her thighs, but otherwise perfect. The pink T-shirt stretched tight across Celine’s breasts, but felt comfortable.

After she slipped on the sad-looking sandals she’d rinsed off, she carried the towel with her as she walked in the direction Jayson had pointed.

When she reached the end of the hall, she took a slight jog to the left and walked into the kitchen.

Jayson was in front of the open fridge, his back to her. She studied his backside, enjoying the play of muscles beneath his T-shirt as he looked for something. Who knew what, but she hoped he’d do it longer so that she could stare at her leisure.

She sighed. It must have been loud enough to hear because he looked over his shoulder and gave her a sexy grin.

Heat prickled her scalp. Damn. Busted.

He turned and let his gaze drift over her from head to toe, like she’d just done to him. “Those clothes fit you just fine.”

She nodded. “Thank Bailey for the loan, please.”

Jayson nodded as she pushed hair over her shoulder.

Damn, it had really curled now. She sighed and tugged on a curl. “No straightening iron handy, I imagine,” she said, with no hope whatsoever.

He cocked his head. “A what?”

She pulled out one of her curls. “I go curly when it’s humid or rains. I prefer it straight, not that it matters right now.”

“I like it that way.” He gestured to the curl she was playing with. “You look cute with curly hair.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Cute?” No one called her cute. She didn’t remember ever being called cute, except maybe as a child.

“Yep.” He nodded. “Ready for that coffee?”

She let the curl pop back into the rest of the mess. “Yes, please.”

He reached for a mug out of the cabinet, filled it from the pot on the stove, then handed it to her.

Their fingers touched again. Damnit. He’s doing that on purpose.

She put the mug to her lips then made a face as she drank the coffee. She emptied the mug and handed it back to him. “My chest is going to be extra fuzzy after that cup.”

He laughed. “Would you like more?”

She shook her head. “I need to get my team out of here for the night. We can come back in the morning.”

He set the mug into the sink. “You won’t be here for dinnertime since you’ll be heading back to Prescott with everyone else, so how about lunch tomorrow?”

She smiled. “Deal.”

Jayson walked outside with Celine. Thor barked from across the barnyard and bounded toward them. He immediately went to Celine and she rubbed him behind his ears as she looked up.

The sun shone through sparse clouds, and it smelled wonderfully of rain. “It’s beautiful out here. It’s clearing up.”

“Don’t let that fool you.” He frowned as he looked to the north, where dark clouds clustered. The sky had turned dark gray beneath the clouds. “Looks like it’s raining like the devil in the mountains. Probably a good idea for you all to get going so you don’t get caught in a flood or stuck here for the night.”

She nodded. “I’ll get everyone out of here.”

They walked closer to the trailers and she did the one thing she knew would get instant attention. After a good ear-splitting whistle that made birds scatter from the trees, she had everyone’s attention in a moment. “If it floods, all of us may have to stay overnight in the trailers or the barn instead of in Prescott. So get in gear and let’s move it. That is unless you would prefer the barn over the hotel.”

When Celine’s crew was motivated, they could haul ass. She’d never seen them get everything together so fast since she’d started working with them.

She didn’t drive much in New York City because she walked or took cabs everywhere. However, this time she insisted on driving herself to the hotel in Prescott. She wasn’t about to let Charlie drive her again, she was irritated with both Rod and Monty, and she didn’t want to spend time in a car with idle chitchat that she might have to participate in with anyone else.

It wasn’t that she was antisocial—well, not really—it was more she wasn’t in the mood to talk.

In truth, she wanted to be alone in her own thoughts, and just maybe let them settle on Jayson McBride.

She groaned to herself. Pull it together, girl.

Celine hurried to Monty’s trailer to get her purse and tote from where she’d left them on the couch. The purse was there. The tote was not.

She hurriedly searched for the tote, but couldn’t find it anywhere.

Someone honked outside. Damn it. She’d have to look tomorrow. She left the trailer and headed across the muddy ground for the rented Mercedes.

Ahead, a line of vehicles was already leaving the ranch.

According to Jayson, his men had left a good thirty minutes ago, after making sure everything was set to the foreman’s approval. Jayson sent them off so they could spend time with their families as opposed to getting stuck here for the night.

Jayson perched on Starlight. He and Thor watched as the convoy took off. Celine gave Jayson a brief wave before she slid into the buttery soft leather covering the driver’s seat.

She fished the keys out of her handbag, then tossed the purse onto the seat before she secured her seatbelt and started the vehicle.

Celine followed the small convoy away from the ranch. As they drove, she glanced up through the sunroof. The sky was dark again from the incoming storm. Any time now and it could let loose another torrent.

She peered ahead as they reached the edge of the property and she saw the dry arroyo Jayson mentioned. It was as wide as a small river. Funny, she hadn’t even noticed it when Charlie drove her here. Maybe it was because she’d been grateful just to be alive at that point. Jayson had made it clear to everyone to not enter the wash if water was present.

Nope, they were fine.

Her phone rang as she drove behind the other vehicles. She paused just long enough pull her phone from her purse and glance at the caller ID. Meredith. She answered and brought it to her ear.

“Hi, Meredith,” Celine said as she gripped the steering wheel with one hand. “How did your day go?”

Mine turned out surprisingly well. Despite the mud bath and harrowing ride this morning, she felt pretty great.

Meredith gave an exaggerated sigh. “It was hell. Just hell.”

Celine stepped on the gas and entered the arroyo. She’d fallen behind the others. “Tell me what happened.”

She glanced to her right as she reached the middle of the bed of the arroyo.

Fear ripped through her like a blade.

A wall of churning brown water rushed straight toward her.