“Is your uncle here?”
Realizing she was staring, she shook herself free of whatever his eyes were doing to befuddle her so totally. “Yes. He’s inside. This way, please.”
She waited while he tied the roan to the post and reached for his saddlebag. Tossing it easily over his shoulder, they set out, his heeled boots echoing against the wooden walk. She got the feeling that he was eyeing the sway of her blue skirt, but she was so overwhelmed by the air of maleness he exuded, she kept walking and tried to ignore his effects on her usually unflappable self.
Her uncle’s office was in the same building that housed her own, so she led Kent back to the breezeway and past the giant oaks and flowers enhancing the landscaping.
“Nice place you have here,” he remarked as he looked around.
“Thank you. We like it.”
“When the man in Tucson gave me directions to the hotel, I expected something more like the hotels back East or in Virginia City, not a spread like this. Looks more like a ranch.”
They approached the door. He reached around her to open it. His arm gently grazed her shoulder and Portia jumped nervously.
“Sorry. Not trying to scare you,” he said apologetically. “Just wanted to get the door for you.”
“Thank you,” she said, looking up into his face. She wondered if he remembered how uneasy and fearful she’d been around men when she and her sister first came to Virginia City. Because of Corinne’s way of life, Portia had imagined herself fair game to any man in a pair of trousers, and as a result she’d been as afraid as a tiny mouse in a world filled with large feral cats.
He held the door aside. “After you.”
She inclined her head and entered.
The coolness of the interior’s air always offered relief from the blazing Arizona heat. “My uncle’s office is this way.”
She led him past the large sitting room filled with elegant dark wood furniture. The white adobe walls were adorned with framed brightly hued paintings and plants stood in large colorful floor pots.
“Feels like Mexico,” he said.
“We’re not that far from the border.” She stopped at her uncle’s closed door and knocked.
He called, “Come on in.”
Kent entered behind her and when Rhine, who was seated behind a big fancy desk, saw him, his jaw dropped and he slowly got to his feet. “Where in the hell did you find him?” There was a smile of wonder on his face.
“Outside on a horse,” she said with a grin. “I’ll leave you two to your visit.”
Kent turned to her and said in the same soft tone he’d used earlier, “Thanks, Duchess.”
“You’re welcome.” Forcing herself to break his captivating gaze, she turned and exited.