Dancing in the Moonlight - Harlequin.com
Dancing in the Moonlight - Harlequin.com Dancing in the Moonlight - Harlequin.com
RAEANNE THAYNE 85 Right now she needed to focus on the job at hand. There would be time later to worry about the good doctor—and what he might be after. She turned back to the log, which inevitably drew her thoughts to her uncle. He should be here making this notation. He should have been out there today checking the fenceline. Perhaps it was time she paid him a visit and begged him to come to his senses. Anything to keep Jake Dalton from showing up to torment her again. She found time the next evening after dinner. Viviana had phone calls to make, she said, so Maggie told her she wanted to drive into town to pick up a few things at the small market. Guillermo’s house, a mile toward town on Cold Creek Road, hadn’t changed in all the years she’d known him—still just as small and square, with clapboard siding that received a new coat of white paint every other year whether it needed it or not. It was too early for the extravagant display of roses he tended so carefully to burst along the fence, but cheerful spring flowers neatly lined the sidewalk and an American flag hung proudly on a flagpole in the front yard. A large yellow ribbon dangled just below it, and she felt emotion well up in her throat, knowing it was for her. Chickens ran for cover when she pulled into the driveway and as soon as she turned off the engine, a couple of border collies hurried out of the shade to investigate the visitor.
86 DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT When he wasn’t raising Murray Grey cattle for her mother, Guillermo bred and trained the smart cattle dogs. The two who came out didn’t bark, they just waited politely for attention. She patted them both in turn and was just preparing to head off in search of her uncle when he rounded the corner of the garage, a shovel in his hand. His brown eyes widened when he saw her, then they filled with raw emotion. In one quick move he dropped the shovel to the concrete driveway with a thud and rushed to her side and reached for her. “Lena! Oh Lena, it is good you are home.” Guillermo spoke Spanish, though she knew he was comfortable in English, also. “It is wonderful to see you, as well,” she responded in the same language. It was, she thought. Though only a few inches taller than she was, she had always considered Guillermo one of her heroes. He was quiet and sturdy, a steady source of strength throughout her life, even before her father’s death. Abel and Guillermo had been brothers and best friends, had come together from Argentina to ranch together. After Abel’s death, Guillermo had taken over as ranch manager and had also stepped up to assume a more-active fatherly role in her life. After she enlisted, she could still remember how he sat her down for a heart-to-heart talk before she left for basic training. “To serve your country is a good thing you are doing,” he told her. “You make me proud. Hold your head high and serve with honor and courage. Never be
- Page 36 and 37: RAEANNE THAYNE 35 “I will be care
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- Page 46 and 47: Chapter Three He had always conside
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- Page 50 and 51: RAEANNE THAYNE 49 “Are you happy
- Page 52 and 53: RAEANNE THAYNE 51 She stopped laugh
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- Page 62 and 63: Chapter Four The sneaky, conniving
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- Page 98 and 99: Chapter Six Ten patients later Jake
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- Page 106 and 107: RAEANNE THAYNE 105 * * * He shouldn
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86 DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT<br />
When he wasn’t rais<strong>in</strong>g Murray Grey cattle for her<br />
mo<strong>the</strong>r, Guillermo bred and tra<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>the</strong> smart cattle<br />
dogs. The two who came out didn’t bark, <strong>the</strong>y just<br />
waited politely for attention.<br />
She patted <strong>the</strong>m both <strong>in</strong> turn and was just prepar<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to head off <strong>in</strong> search of her uncle when he rounded <strong>the</strong><br />
corner of <strong>the</strong> garage, a shovel <strong>in</strong> his hand.<br />
His brown eyes widened when he saw her, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>y<br />
filled with raw emotion.<br />
In one quick move he dropped <strong>the</strong> shovel to <strong>the</strong><br />
concrete driveway with a thud and rushed to her side and<br />
reached for her. “Lena! Oh Lena, it is good you are home.”<br />
Guillermo spoke Spanish, though she knew he was<br />
<strong>com</strong>fortable <strong>in</strong> English, also.<br />
“It is wonderful to see you, as well,” she responded<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> same language. It was, she thought.<br />
Though only a few <strong>in</strong>ches taller than she was, she had<br />
always considered Guillermo one of her heroes. He was<br />
quiet and sturdy, a steady source of strength throughout<br />
her life, even before her fa<strong>the</strong>r’s death.<br />
Abel and Guillermo had been bro<strong>the</strong>rs and best<br />
friends, had <strong>com</strong>e toge<strong>the</strong>r from Argent<strong>in</strong>a to ranch<br />
toge<strong>the</strong>r. After Abel’s death, Guillermo had taken over<br />
as ranch manager and had also stepped up to assume a<br />
more-active fa<strong>the</strong>rly role <strong>in</strong> her life.<br />
After she enlisted, she could still remember how he<br />
sat her down for a heart-to-heart talk before she left for<br />
basic tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g.<br />
“To serve your country is a good th<strong>in</strong>g you are<br />
do<strong>in</strong>g,” he told her. “You make me proud. Hold your<br />
head high and serve with honor and courage. Never be
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