Between Strangers Read Online Free PDF Page A

worry.”
    Marcy handed Angie a cracker and glanced up to find Lance making his way to their table after filling up his gas tank outside. Oh, Lord. He strode through the crowd like a man who had no trouble negotiating any obstacle. Every feminine eye in the place turned to admire his wide shoulders and the tight butt encased in slim work jeans.
    With his hat in his hand and his heavy leather coat slung over one shoulder, she got her first good look at their savior. Rugged. Whoo, baby. Everything about him just screamed male.
    His black hair was slicked away from his face, and he’d tied it back with some kind of rawhide string. The bronzed skin against the plaid long-sleeved shirt gave him a great outdoors appearance. A man’s man for sure.
    He caught her looking in his direction and focused those sharp ebony eyes on her. His wide nose bent at the bridge and looked as if it had probably been broken somewhere along the line. But it was his full lipsthat now captured her attention. The corners crooked up with an arrogant twist that made her throat go dry and the sweat bead between her breasts.
    He eased into the booth across from her. “Nobody’s been able to get a call out. The circuits are all tied up with the storm. Have you decided what you want to do from here?”
    She straightened her shoulders and gulped back the nervous energy his very presence seemed to bring out in her. “I was hoping Angie and I could catch a bus to Cheyenne. Even if we’re stuck here for a couple of days, a bus should get us from here to Wyoming before the first of January.”
    Lance shook his head. “I just talked to one of the state troopers. They’re considering keeping the roads closed in both directions for the rest of the week. How important is it that you get to Cheyenne on time?”
    Blinking her eyes in a short silent prayer, Marcy decided she would be perfectly honest with him. “Staying here for a couple of days and then buying bus tickets will take every dime I have. That job is my last hope, and it won’t be available past the first.”
    He grimaced. “Unless you’re exaggerating your circumstances, you’d better think of something else real quick. Because I’d say your chances of getting out of here in time have just gone from slim to none.”

Three
    â€œB ut…but…” Marcy was determined not to cry. This just couldn’t be happening.
    She took a fortifying breath and turned to check on the baby before steadying her voice and trying again. “I haven’t exaggerated a thing. Angie and I will have nowhere to go if we miss this job. And I don’t know what else we can do.”
    Lance raised one eyebrow but lowered his voice sympathetically. “What kind of job was this?”
    Why not tell him? “The general manager at a hotel where I baby-sit sometimes…he’s a friend really…introduced me to a rich couple from Wyoming who have two school-age kids. We all got along real well and the kids just love Angie.
    â€œWell, the couple called my friend a few weeks ago to say they are looking to hire a nanny for theirchildren while they all travel on a six-month tour of Europe,” she continued. “But they intend to make a final decision on who to hire by January first so everyone can get passports and visas in time.” The opportunity had been so perfect for her. They wouldn’t mind if Angie came along.
    â€œTraveling for six months…with children?” Lance couldn’t imagine anything worse.
    Marcy looked up at him with those big brown eyes full of unshed tears, and he felt his heart sputtering in his chest. Without the scarf and old coat, she was a real stunner. Soft, blond curls framed her perfect heart-shaped face. And the dimples, button nose and long flirty lashes were terrific—but not enough to take a man’s mind off her velvet voice and irresistible body.
    â€œYes,” she replied.