Once Bitten, Twice Shy

"Fascinating."

She nodded and pointed at the old cypress water wheel.

"See? The water goes under the wheel to turn it. It's the only working one like it in the United States."

He smiled. "You have such an inquisitive mind, crammed full of unusual facts. That's one of the things I love about you."

She stared at him, but his attention was on the mill again. Love? Surely he didn't mean love in the romantic sense. He must have meant love in a family way - like he loved his sister. On the other hand, that was no sisterly kiss. Maybe it meant nothing to him. She stared at the churning water. Why was everything so complicated?

Alex grabbed her hand again. "We'd better get back, Heidi. It's almost milking time again."

She nodded absently. It was always milking time any more - or time to feed the kids. Was that part of her problem? Was she too involved with the farm?

Alex took her home, changed into his western garb, and helped her with the chores. Afterward, she was writing some information down in her dairy journal when Alex wandered by.

"What's that?" he asked.

She closed the book. "I keep records on each goat and how many pounds of milk she gives daily, when she reached peak production and how long she lactated. It's for breeding and culling purposes."

"Sounds interesting, may I look at it?"

She handed him the book and he followed her into the barn, flipping through the pages. She paused and gazed out the barn door at the scenic view.

Alex paused at the hay pile and sat down, cross-legged, while he examined a chart.

"This is darn good."

"Thanks," she said, and dropped to the hay beside him. "It's been a lot of work, but it's all beginning to pay off now. By the end of the summer I'll have enough profit to roof the house."

She stretched out on her stomach and absently poked a piece of straw into her mouth. Propping her chin up with her hands, she stared out at the hills. Maybe some day she would have enough to start her horse ranch.

Alex tossed the book aside and stretched out beside her, following her gaze through the door.

"It sure is beautiful country."

She nodded. "I can't imagine living anywhere else." She glanced up at him. "I wanted to have a horse ranch. Did I ever tell you that?"

He was resting on one elbow, watching her in a disturbing way. "Katie said something about it once."