Active Equipment was at a critical point in setting up a new division in South America. Danielle was wading her way through Brazil’s complicated banking and accounting regulations.

Mandy moved in closer. “What are you going to do now?”

“Find Reed.” And drag him home.

“And in the meantime? The ranch? The animals?”

“I’ll deal with it.”

A mocking lilt came into Mandy’s voice. “Sure would be nice if you had a little help.”

“Sure would be nice if you minded your own business.”

“I’m only doing my duty as a neighbor.”

“Are you going for the good-neighbor merit badge?”

She perked up. “There’s a badge?”

“Were you always this much of a smart-ass?”

“You don’t remember what I was like?”

“You were four grades behind me. I barely noticed you.”

“I thought you were hot.”

Caleb went still.

“Schoolgirl fantasy,” Mandy finished smoothly. “I didn’t know your true character back then.”

“You don’t know my true character now,” he retorted.

But her words triggered some kind of hormonal reaction deep inside him. Hethought shewas hot, right here, right now, right this very minute. And that was a complication this situation definitely didn’t need.

“You married?” he asked her hopefully. “Engaged?”

She wiggled her bare left hand in front of his face.

“Seeing someone?” he pressed, praying for the yes that would make him honor bound to quit thinking of her naked in his arms.

“Why do you want to know?”

“I wondered who I should pity.”

Despite the insult, their gazes locked. They flared, and then smoldered. He couldn’t seem to tamp down his unspoken desire.

“No,” she told him flatly.

“I didn’t ask you anything.” He didn’t want to kiss her. He wouldn’twant to kiss her.

She tipped her head to a challenging angle, her rich, dark hair flowing like a curtain. “I’m helping you find your brother. Don’t get any ideas.”