Sun streamed in waking Talia. Stretching on the soft queen size bed she looked toward the window. She would need to remember to close the blinds. The chill from the hardwood floor caused Talia to hop to the bathroom connected to her room.

Washing her hands, she studied her reflection in the mirror. The make up from the day before still lingered thanks to her falling into bed the night before. A quick shower was needed before attempting to conquer the day ahead.

Warm massaging spray relaxed her and let her mind wander. The previous day swept through her thoughts. After her brother left Zeke showed her around the house and the property. The two-story cabin had every convenience. A living room with a huge fireplace and big screen tv consumed most of the first floor. The large kitchen was hidden in the back with a dining area attached. Large winding stairs led to the bedrooms. Four large bedrooms identically decorated seemed plain compared to Zeke's home in California.

Talia chose the room that overlooked the barn and horse training ring. They hadn't had a chance to go into the barn the evening before. After the tour of the house, she and Zeke made sandwiches then went their separate ways. The day of traveling and drama had exhausted them both. There was no hurry to learn everything about the place when they were going to be there for a few weeks.

While she dried her hair, she watched the ranch hands working with a few horses. One ranch hand drew her attention out of all. He had a worn cowboy hat, jeans that fit just right and flannel with rolled up sleeves. He was handling a beautiful brown and white horse. She was stubborn and uninterested in the cowboy. As he tried to mount her she reared back throwing him off.

Talia gasped and inched closer to the window. The cowboy jumped up moving just in time to miss getting kicked by the pissed off horse. He climbed on the fence with the other hooting ranch hands. Talia's stomach grumbled making her realize she hadn't eaten yet. She would find time again to ogle the sexy ranch hand.

I In shorts and a t-shirt, Talia wandered down the stairs toward a heavenly smell. A small round woman stood in front of the stove. A plate piled with pancakes sat next to a platter filled with bacon and eggs on the kitchen island.

"Don't just stand there. Come in here and eat." She turned smiling at Talia.

"Oh. Thank you."

Talia sat on one of the stools at the island. She piled her plate with the pancakes, bacon and eggs. Coffee in the nearby carafe called her name. After pouring the coffee, she finally tucked into the delicious smelling breakfast.

A moan escaped with Talia's first bite. Pancakes melted like butter on her tongue. "That's the best kind of compliment." The woman turned wiping her hands on her apron.

"This is so good. Thank you so much. I didn't realize how hungry I was." Talia shoved eggs and bacon in her mouth then realized she hadn't introduced herself. "I'm Thalia." She said with her mouthful.

The woman laughed. "I'm Addie. My husband, Ben, and I take care of the house and grounds for Zeke."

Talia swallowed her bite. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Have you worked long for Zeke?"

"We actually worked for his grandfather when he still lived here. When Zeke took over and revitalized this old place we stayed on. Ben and I actually live in a little home on the edge of the property. So, we can't hear anything that happens here at the big house." Addie winked at Talia.

Talia's eyes grew wide as saucers. "Uh well...um"

"Addie, are you giving that girl a hard time?" A small muscular man with more salt than pepper grey hair stepped into the house from the door next to the kitchen. His southern drawl more prominent than hers.

"Oh, I'm just having some fun with her." He walked over and placed a kiss on Addie's cheek.

"My name is Ben. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Talia." He shook Talia's hand.

"Oh, its just Talia, Ben. But, what do you mean finally meet me?" Addie and Ben exchanged looks when the door to the kitchen swung open.

The sexy ranch hand stood framed in the doorway. His muscles flexed under his tight shirt. The cowboy hat still covered his face though his swagger seemed familiar. Talia bit into a piece of bacon as she watched him walk in. If she wasn't there to be in a fake relationship with Zeke she would take this cowboy for a ride.

He took his hat off and looked at Talia. She gasped, the piece of bacon lodged in her throat. Suddenly she couldn't breathe.

"Oh dear, she's choking." Addie ran behind Talia and started to give her the Heimlich. After two thrusts the bacon dislodged itself by flying across the kitchen and landing right on the cowboy's cheek.

Zeke peeled the piece of bacon of his cheek. He smirked at Talia with the dimple he saved for his adoring fans. "Well, I've never done that before."

After taking a sip of coffee, Talia grimaced at Zeke. "Done what?"

"Caused a girl to choke because of how hot I am."

Talia rolled her eyes so hard she thought she saw the back of her head. "You're an ass."

Zeke grinned then sat on the stool next to her. "Glad to see you are finally awake."

"It's not that late. It's eight."

"Yeah but we get started early on the ranch."

"You didn't tell me that. I would have been up if you'd needed me."

"I know. I'm just giving you a hard time." He shoved her shoulder with his. "Hurry up and finish your breakfast. I want to show you the rest of the ranch."

"Ok." Talia hurried to finish.

"Well, don't eat too fast. No need choking again." Talia threw a balled-up napkin at him as he ducked out of the house.

"That man is insufferable." She said to Ben and Addie.

The couple smiled at her. "It's nice to see him happy." Addie said.

"What do you mean?"

"You may want to hurry, Ms. Talia." Ben nudged her toward the door. Ben and Addie shared another secretive look.

***

"This beauty is Peg." Zeke rubbed the neck of a dappled gray mare.

"She is very pretty, but why Peg? A better name wasn't available?" The mare nickered at her.

"It's short for Pegasus. I named her when I was ten. I was really into Greek mythology but when she didn't have wings and wasn't really that interested in running like the wind we shortened it to Peg."

"Well, I like her wings or not." A nose nudged her from behind. The brown and white beauty from earlier rubbed against her. "Who is this?"

Zeke snorted. "Figures you'd get along with that one. That is Hera. She is wild, stubborn, spiteful and absolutely beautiful."

"A girl after my own heart." Talia took an apple out of the satchel she carried. "You are beauty enough for us both, sweet girl."

Zeke stared at Talia with a strange look. He watched as she rubbed the horse.

"Kindred spirits."

"What do you think Hera? Are we kindred spirits? I don't know about that, but I sure do like you." Hera nickered and rubbed on Talia's shoulder. Zeke reached out to rub her neck, but she clicked her teeth at him. Talia giggled with Hera who did her version of an evil laugh.

Zeke shook his head walking away from the two. "Are you coming?"

"Aw...Hera, I think his feelings are hurt." Talia spoke in a baby voice.

He huffed continuing his march out of the barn. Talia patted Hera one more time promising to come back to see her. She jogged after him.

"Hey" Talia huffed pulling him to a stop by his shirt. "You know I don't run unless I'm being chased by a bear." She bent over panting.

Zeke furrowed his brow. "You are out of shape. You should not be winded jogging that far."

"Did you not just hear that I said I don't run. Also, I am in shape. That shape just happens to be round." She smirked at him.

He shook his head. "It's going to be rough for you here being so out of shape. Let's keep the tour going." He turned before stepping forward. "Unless you need a break."

"You're an asshole. I can keep walking around. I just can't run, jog, leap, skip or line dance around the property."

"Line dance?" He quirked his brow.

"I hate that crap. I refuse to do that out of principal." She stood with her hands on her hips.

A dimple popped out with his grin. "Come on, Lia." He threw an arm around her as they walked.

They walked to a ring where several ranch hands sat on the fence watching a black stallion run. The horse's shiny black coat glimmered as he pranced around. The wildness oozed off the animal. His beauty was jaw dropping. If he were human, he'd have been a runway model.

"Ok. Observe the greatness that is me." Zeke climbed over the fence. "Sit right there, Lia."

"You've only played a cowboy. You aren't a real one you ass." Talia yelled.

"He'll be ok." Ben said leaning against the fence.

"How do you know that?"

"Zeke has been helping break horses since he was a tot. Every summer he stayed with his grandpa to help break the new horses. Just watch." Ben pointed to Zeke.

Zeke was walking slowly around the ring. His eyes met the stallions in a test of dominance. The black horse pawed at the ground while puffing air out of his nose. One of the ranch hands threw Zeke a rope. He caught it in one hand. The horse reared back then landed only a few feet from him. Zeke stood tall smirking. In a flash, the rope flew out of his hand and around the neck of the stallion. Digging in his boots, Zeke pulled the resistant horse. His mouth was moving with soothing words that only he and the horse could hear. The muscles in his arms flexed with strain as he pulled the horse closer. The stallion kneeled down allowing him to approach. Rubbing the horse's neck then flanks, he pulled himself up on to the kneeling animal.

The stallion stood quickly with Zeke on his back. Talia sat in awe. That dimple winked at her from atop the massive horse. In one swift move, the calm horse bucked throwing Zeke off. He landed hard. Talia waited for him to get out of the way of the bucking horse. When he didn't move, she jumped down sprinting over. Voices called out to stop her.

"Zeke!" She yelled as she approached him.

Zeke didn't move. Sliding to her knees next to him she shook him. A hum of activity blurred around her when a dark shadow eclipsed them. Talia looked up from Zeke to see the stallion raise up again. Flinging herself over his prone body, Talia raised her hand in a weak attempt to stop the blow.

As Talia braced for the blow, she could feel Zeke breathing under her. When the blow didn't come she looked up to see the stallion approaching her outstretched hand. He nudged her hand with his nose. Gently, she rubbed his face.

"That's a good boy." He nuzzled her hand harder. "There you go. Now, I need you to go back. I have to check Zeke." The stallion snorted then galloped over to the gate waiting to be taken back to the barn.

Talia's heart thundered in her chest.

"That was the stupidest thing you've ever done." Zeke breathed out.

"You're awake." She hugged him.

His arm snaked around her holding her to him. "Yes. Now, back to you. What the hell were you thinking? You could have been killed."

"Really! You're going to bitch at me trying to help you when you got hurt." Talia leaned away from him. "You say you can't win with me. Well, I sure as hell can't win with you either."

When she tried getting up, Zeke yanked her on top of him. He crashed his lips against hers. Distantly she heard hoots.

Before the kiss could be more, Zeke pulled away. He cupped her face in his hands, "You scared the hell out of me. When I opened my eyes and saw you over me with your hand out to stop Zeus, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I couldn't have lived with myself if you had gotten hurt trying to save me."

Something inside Talia squeezed. His words cracked that wall she'd built up for so long. But, that tiny voice in her head reminded her that it was all a game. A fake love everyone had to believe even the ranch hands.

"Well, if you didn't feel the need to be all macho I wouldn't have to save your ass." Talia stood and walked toward the fence where Ben looked like a thunder cloud.

He shook his head asshe walked past. Talia held her head upas she walked back to the house refusing to look back at Zeke. These feelings she was developing needed tobe squashed.