Before she could put her foot on the second step, she heard the creaking of the wood; she saw her foot going through it as she went crashing to the ground. "Oh…no"

"Good grief, Al didn't fix that porch step," the man rasped from behind her, as big strong arms went around her for support.

At first she couldn't move, but the man gently freed her foot from the sagging step. Then he picked her up, and carried her to the porch.

It all happened so fast, she didn't know what hit her. The man who held her was in total control though. His fresh clean scent swamped her, rattling her senses, as if he'd just stepped out of a shower. Hard muscled arms held her steady.

Her heart lurched in her chest as her eyes locked onto the man that had rescued her.

"You're the real estate agent?" the woman gasped, as she slowly pulled her shades off and blatantly stared.

The man's smile was broad and sexy as he gave her a full glance, "No, actually, I'm just doing this for a friend, the agent is busy, and I told him I'd come over, let you in, and have a look around. Let's move over here and sit in the swing, while I have a look at your ankle."

His carried her to the swing and gently deposited her there, where he joined her. Glancing at her leg, he checked the damage, careful not to hurt her, he grimaced, "It's already bruising, and swelling some."

"Oh really, its fine," But even as she spoke the words, she felt the pain throbbing in her ankle. The wood had scraped it until tiny beads of blood popped up. The skin color was definitely turning. She tried to concentrate on the house and why she was here.

Still with Jake Travers being so attentive and her ankle causing her distraction, it was hard.

"Nevertheless, I think I'd have a doctor check it out, you may have a sprained ankle there, and of course I'm no doctor. I'll have Al pay for it; do you have a doctor in town?" Jake was asking as he picked her foot up and examined the damage. Despite the fact that his hands were large, he was ultra gentle with her foot.

"Yes, my mother does, I'll be sure and see him." She grabbed at her ankle.

Their hands touched ever so slightly, and a tingle ran up her arm. A silly reaction, he merely grazed her fingers. Recovering from the shock of the man, and the assault on her foot by the porch step, she sat straight and tried to put her weight on her foot, "It will be fine, really."

But pain radiated from her ankle as she tried to put her weight on it. He must have seen her grimace for he reached for her.

"Maybe, but nevertheless, you aren't walking on that foot, till we have it checked out." He said and picked her up in his arms again and began carrying her, this time into the house.

Samantha squirmed in his arms for a minute until she realized how silly that was. She had no right to protest, he was right about her foot if the pain was any indication.

But how embarrassing to have to be carried in.

He smelled divine, her mind wandered with temporary insanity, putting the pain out of her mind for a second.

Her heart fluttered and she was sure she wasn't breathing. All the feelings swamping her made her feel faint.

"Really, I think I can walk," she began, but he shook his head.

"I'm sorry," he said with a boyish grin, looking into her eyes. "The name's Jake Travers. I don't mean to appear like a cave man, but I certainly don't want you hurting yourself further. I saw pain on your face when you put your foot down, so please let me help you. I promise not to bite."

Recovering Samantha tried to smile, but she was sure the smile didn't quite reach her lips. "Samantha," her voice sounded shaky even to her.

His glance slid over her again appreciatively as they entered the house.

"Just moving to Sweetwater?"

"Y-yes, as a matter of fact," she didn't offer any more information. But her tongue shot out to lick her suddenly dry lips. She really should tell him who she was, but something stopped her.

"Well, this house is old, but well kept, I think you'll find it plenty spacious." Jake commented as he glanced around the place.

The house was full of paint fumes, so he sat her on a kitchen counter and began opening the windows to air it. He turned on the ceiling fan in the living room.

"Al really shouldn't close a place up that's been newly painted, but then he's in real estate, not construction. He said something about you and your mother moving in here?" Jake asked, pulling his Stetson off and combing a hand through his dark hair as he returned to her side.

"Yes, just the two of us?" she countered casting the man another glance. He doesn't recognize me. She wasn't sure if she should be happy about that. However, on second thought, how could he recognize her, they hadn't seen each other in several years, and she had changed. He hadn't seen her since she'd grown up. Still, he hadn't changed a bit. He was still the most gorgeous man in this part of Texas. Those long overshadowing eyelashes and dark blue eyes were lethal. Yes, Lethal is what he was.

"Well, this might be a little too intimate for you, but in your condition, I insist on carrying you through the house so you can have a look. I'd hate for your trip here to be wasted."

"Oh but," she started to protest but he'd already picked her up again and carried her like a feather in his arms. He wasn't even breathing hard. And his body heat seemed to ooze through his clothes, or was that hers? Too close for comfort, yet it would be childish to squirm and make a scene.

When she stared at him in surprise, he grinned again, making her entire body react. "This might sound like a line, but do I know you from somewhere? There's something familiar about you."

Samantha cleared her throat. It was time to tell him who she was. However, her tongue felt pasted to the roof of her mouth. Instead of using her chance, she replied, "That does sound like a line."

"I'm sorry. I'm not good at flirting."He batted his long lashes at her and her heart did a quick flip. "But you are about the prettiest thing I've held in my arms in a long time."

Flustered she blushed to her toes.

"And even prettier when you blush."

"I'm not blushing…"

"Oh yes you are, and it's beautiful on you."

Knowing he had embarrassed her he shook his head.

"I'm sorry, I'm probably scaring you off, please, relax, actually, I'm just a country sheriff, doing a friend a favor, and a nice favor I might add. So…let's start over, I'm Jake Travers ma'am."

"Samantha."

"Hmm, it fits you. Southern and sweet. But why do I have the notion to call you Sam…?"

Another blush dotted her cheeks and he chuckled softly in her ear. He made Sam sound so appealing. No one had ever done that. Something about the way he rolled it over his tongue.

He was doing it again, making a complete idiot out of her. How could one manaffect her so with nothing more than a grin, and a sexy drawl when he called her name. How could a man make a woman's name sound so…warm and comfortable on his lips?

She cleared her throat and her thoughts. What was she doing? She wasn't a kid any more with a huge crush. She'd gotten over Jake Travers a long time ago. Hadn't she?

After staring long and hard at her, he began drifting through the house. The house was cared for, and Samantha knew instantly she wanted it, if it was the right price. She loved the bathroom with its claw foot bathtub, and spaciousness.

"How much would this run, monthly."

"Al said he'd rent it for $800 a month, or sell it for $32,000. It's only a one-car garage and two bedrooms with one bath, so he can't price it very high. The one thing about this area is that real estate is reasonable for a small town." Jake answered. "Are you planning on staying here? I mean with your mother of course."

"As far as I know. I'd like to speak to Al about the details though. Did he leave his card so I can call him?" she asked not daring to look at the man directly.

"Yeah, sure, I've got one in my billfold. So you are interested in it?" Jake asked reshuffling her in his arms, so he could open the bedroom door.

The master bedroom had glass doors and a huge patio door where she could stare out onto the town of Sweetwater. She fell in love with it.

This would be her mother's room. Yes, she loved the house. Her mother would love it too. This was exactly what she needed.

The smaller bedroom had a bay widow which she appreciated.

"I really like it, so would you mind telling Al, I'd love to talk to him about the details."

"Sure, be glad to. He'll be glad to know he's got a client. Now, let's go back to the kitchen and I'll give you all the information." Jake said, not even out of breath from hauling her around the entire house and garage.

After he'd given her all the information he glanced at her face which was very close to his, "So will your husband be negotiating the deal or yourself?"

"Oh, I'm divorced, just recently as a matter of fact. No, I'll make the arrangements myself." She said writing down the information and putting the card in her purse which she dangled from her arm.

"I see do you have a job here?" he asked.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I do. At the Junior High School." She said still trying not to look at him.

"Great. Well, under the circumstances, I think it best if I run you by Dr. Adams place, and let him look at that ankle."

She opened her mouth to protest but he held a hand up, "I know you think it's too much, but this is a small town, we tend to take care of our own around here. If someone needs help, we help them. I hope you remember that. Besides, I insist Sam. Al wouldn't like knowing you hurt yourself on the property. So, just endure my company a little longer. So don't worry your little head about the step either. Al will have that fixed and the others too."

"Endure?" she raised a brow and her chin arrogantly.

"I sense a tension in you. As though you don't trust me or something. Can't put my finger on it. Most everyone trusts me from the moment they meet me. And you'll have to excuse the curiosity, I'm a lawman and it comes natural after a while."

"Are you Sheriff here?" she shrieked.

He smiled again, making his face more boyish again, "No, I'm just home on vacation right now. I'm Sheriff over at Peaceful."

"Oh…" her answer was a very pronounced relief.

"That sounds like relief in your voice," he frowned.

"I'm sorry. I just don't happen to run into Sheriff's very often." She tried to chuckle but it came out strangled.

"Come on, let's get you over to the docs, and then I'd say I owe you a big steak dinner."

"Oh…you don't owe me a thing…"

"Okay, then have dinner with me, and I'll feel better about this ankle thing." He smiled encouragingly.

"Is that why you're asking me to dinner?" she didn't know where she got the brass to say such a thing, and wished she could have put a stopper on her mouth, but his grin was so infectious.

"Not at all," he returned huskily." I'm trying to be charming enough for you to want to have dinner with me. And I am afraid I haven't succeeded with you. I'm asking you to dinner because I think you are…a very sweet lady."

"And what exactly are you judging that on?" She smiled, despite herself.

"He looked down at her, "The fact that you live with your mother, for one. It means family is important to you. I like that. 'Cause that's how I feel too." He carried her to his pickup and drove her around town to a doctor's office. He sat with her in the waiting room and Samantha couldn't help but gawk.

"I'm sure you don't want to sit here and wait for me to be seen," she insisted.

"Why not? I love your company, actually." He said his expression completely serious. "Better than sitting at the town square and listening to old man Jenkins tell everyone how he got his crop in this year."

Samantha smiled despite herself.

Samantha eyed him out of the corner of her eye. It seemed impossible, but here she was sitting at the doctors' office with Jake Travers. The very man she had carried a crush for most of her life. He still didn't know who she was. This didn't seem real. She had to pinch herself to make sure it was. Guilt niggled as she studied him. It wasn't a bit fair for her to know him and not tell him who she was. For the life of her she just wanted to enjoy the moment without the hassle of being protective of her own feelings.

After the doctor set her sprained ankle, Jake drove her to a nice out of the way restaurant out on the highway. The lights were low, the music a little country and the atmosphere pure hometown.

How was she going to do small talk with a man she'd known all her life? Yet, she didn't really know Jake Travers? She thought about that. Not once had she ever been out with him. They were strangers. She'd never been on a date with him, never visited his home. No, virtual strangers would know more about each other. Except she had grown up in the same area, known most of the same people.

"So, tell me about the real Sam…" he chuckled as he eyed her over a tea glass. She smiled despite herself, "Not much to tell, I grew up here, went to college at University of Texas. Got married, started teaching, then my marriage began falling apart and my mother got sick, and so here I am, back home again. End of story."

"Sounds like a fast forward to me. There's got to me more to it than that."

"You're very persistent aren't you?"

"I try. Okay, fair enough, let me see if I can sum up my life for you. I grew up in Devils Corner, have three brothers that are better cowboys than me, and a dad who is getting married soon. I like motorcycles better than pickup trucks, and I haven't been to dinner with a lady in a long time."

"Oh, how come?" she queried as the waitress brought the menus.

"Hi Jake, haven't seen you in here since last year," the waitress smiled then glanced at Samantha.

"We'll need a few minutes, Connie," he said and checked the menu quickly.

Samantha smiled, "You know the waitresses by name?"

"I went to college with her sister, but I know most of the folks around town. Partly because I'm a Sheriff and partly because I went to school here." He smiled.

"So, how come you haven't been out, much?" she continued to ask, pretending to be interested in her tea, more than him. "A handsome man like you."

Jake seemed to know what he wanted and put his menu away, "I've been a little busy lately. I just took the bar exam and that has taken me a while to prepare for."

"Really, are you going into law, then?" Samantha asked, putting the menu aside and looking at him with interest.

"Uh…I don't know." His brow furrowed and his smile faded as though she had brought up the wrong subject. She felt it instantly, as though something told her she'd hit a raw spot.

"I'm sorry, did I ask the wrong question?" she asked noting his ill ease.

"No…of course not, it's just well, it's a long story," he began, shuffling his feet. "But…I guess it won't hurt to tell you. You see, it all started years ago. I graduated from high school, with honors, and won a scholarship. It wasn't in law, but that didn't matter, law was my minor. Anyway, because my brothers seemed to always need me to help at the ranch, well, my schooling took a backseat. My family, who by the way loves me to no end, decided I should be a lawyer. I had shown interest in it, and that was a natural assumption. So I aimed myself in that direction, but along the way took a Sheriff's job. Another way to learn about law. Now I've at least completed the education my family says I deserve. "

Samantha's mouth was hanging open, her eyes widened, "I'm sorry, I don't see the problem. Sounds like you have it more together than most people I know."

"I'm just not sure I want to go into law. And after all these years well, I feel I've led everyone down the wrong path." He finished his words irritating him as he spoke. "I'm not sure my family will understand it if I don't. And I certainly don't want to disappoint or hurt them in any way."

"Oh! Well, I guess that is a problem." Samantha sighed. "Especially if your folks think that's what you want."

"You don't know the half of it," he said, and then after they ordered steaks, he leaned back in his chair and studied her again. "Now let's talk about you."

Samantha digested this news with surprise but didn't ask any more questions about it. It was her turn to be unnerved. "Not much to talk about I'm afraid."

"You said you and your mother will be living here?" he asked to get her to loosen up a little. <>"Yes, my mother's been ill, and I'm taking care of her," she explained.

"Nothing serious I hope…"

"Actually, it is very serious. She has breast cancer. She's been through a mastectomy, chemo, and radiation. The works. She's been so brave through it all. However, she's is still terribly weak, and I want to make sure she doesn't over do. I don't really take care of her, but I just need to be here for her. My father died long ago, and she's been alone ever since. She always loved it here so I decided we'd try to find somewhere close to her home. Maybe if she takes an interest here again, things will get better for her. She used to have so many friends."

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pried…" he began." But I think you are on the right track with her. Sometimes having a social life can be beneficial. Having friends, a job, or something that interests you can help you think about other things than yourself."

"I agree. I mean, Mom isn't an invalid or anything. It's just well; I think we both need each other right now. If the cancer comes back, which it could, she's going to need my help," Samantha explained stirring artificial sugar into her tea." Cancer patients need a lot of family support. Because of their weakened condition, it's important to keep their spirits up, keep them as active as possible. I thought I would get her involved in something here. She used to have a ton of friends here and I'm hoping she gets back with them."

"You know that stuff isn't good for you. As thin as you are real sugar wouldn't hurt you." He remarked watching her dump the artificial sugar into her tea.

Samantha's face screwed up into a frown, "And if we want to stay thin, we use this stuff, as you call it."

He shrugged. "I don't know, I kind of like a girl with meat on her bones."

She glanced at him with a perplexed look.

"And is your ex-husband something we shouldn't talk about?" he asked politely.

His change of subject shocked her; she had been prepared to lash out about the sugar and stuff. Then she suddenly realized there was no need. Jake Travers didn't have any idea who he was talking to.

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