A Rancher of Her Own

“From my dad. It’s one of his favorite expressions when he’s talking to me. And when he really wants to make an impression, he reminds me I could have had a better career.” He shook his head. “He doesn’t get that I’ll never want a job other than being a rancher.”

“Ah... I’m beginning to see where all this is coming from.”

“All this what?”

“This resistance. This rebellion. This ‘I’m not doing it and you can’t make me’ defense.” She laughed. “Yet you call me stubborn?”

“I’m not defensive. And as I already told you, ma’am, I’m not shy.” He ran his fingertips down a strand of her shiny black hair. “I’m just a good ol’ cowboy, a rancher at home on the range. Anyhow, what’s wrong with good, old-fashioned cowboy values?”

“Maybe some of them are outdated, just as your father said.”

“I’d rather talk about your dad. And you.”

She shrugged. “Why not? I’ve got nothing to hide.”

His heart tripped a beat at the image that statement brought to mind. Nobody in his right mind would walk away from an offer like this one. Maybe that was why he planned to take her up on it. To prove he wasn’t crazy and to show he was in control of his emotions—even if he couldn’t swear to either of those at the moment.

“I already know where you get your streak of perfectionism. How’d you get to be so independent—growing up with a dad in the service?”

“Not just in. He’s a five-star general.”

“I’ll bet that gave you some perks.”

“Maybe. But there are drawbacks to being a military brat, too.”

“Such as?”

“If any kid didn’t show up for class, the entire Army base heard about it.”

“Bet that would go over well. Your dad was strict with you?”

“Oh, yeah. He wouldn’t let me date until I was seventeen.”

“Sounds lenient to me. I’m thinking Rachel should wait till she’s twenty-five.”

She laughed.

The sound drew him to her. He leaned across the table, until only a few inches separated them. “So, tell me about this first date.”

“What do you want to know?”

At the sound of running footsteps approaching the dining room, they both sat back. He had no time to answer her question. Probably the best thing for them both, considering the direction his thoughts were headed.

He turned his attention to the doorway. He’d wager the footsteps meant the school bus had arrived, bringing Rachel home from her kindergarten class and Robbie from his preschool. Seconds later, he won the bet when both kids ran into the room.

“Hi, Daddy!” Rachel called. “Hi, Jane! Can you take my picture? Like this?” She slung her backpack over one shoulder and put her free hand on her hip.

He frowned. More than a few times over the past couple of days, she had talked about Jane and her camera. He didn’t want to see that trend continue. Didn’t like the idea of his daughter growing too attached. Soon, Jane would leave again to go off on her travels, and Rachel would feel abandoned.

Before she could respond, he said, “Not now, Rachel.”

“I don’t mind,” Jane said.

“See, Daddy?”

“And,” he went on steadily, “I think you and I had better head for our house. Jane and Robbie are going to have company.”

“I know. Andi’s coming today. And Trey and Missy.”

“We need to let Sharon know you’re home.”

“Huh-uh, we don’t!” Her giggle sounded triumphant. “Sharon’s in the kitchen with Paz. When everybody gets here, we’re having a tea party. Paz made sopaipillas and cookies.”

“Chocolate cookies,” Robbie said. He had a real fondness for chocolate—and a real tough time getting a word in edgewise whenever Rachel was around.

Another thing he’d need to talk to her about.

“I hear Grandpa!” Robbie announced. He ran from the room.

“C’mon, Jane.” Rachel took her hand. “We have to go say hi. You, too, Daddy.” She led Jane toward the doorway, leaving him in their dust.

* * *

DURING THE “PARTY” to welcome Andi and her kids back to the ranch, Pete continued to fight his uneasiness. Rachel’s sudden attachment to Jane almost rivaled his fascination with the woman.

For both reasons, he hadn’t planned to stick around, but Jed insisted. The boss urged him to have a cup of coffee, then included him in the conversation about the changes happening to the hotel. Worse, Jed had made suggestions that only increased Jane’s need for help with her photos.

Somehow, in everyone’s eyes but his own, he’d gone from lowly photographer’s assistant to a necessary member of the hotel revitalization team.

When Jed had come up with his plans for the renovation, Tina accepted responsibility for hiring the contractors. Andi agreed to hire the folks who would take care of the food, flowers and whatever else the hotel needed for wedding receptions and other events. Jane...well, he knew what Jane was handling, along with her primary job of driving him crazy with wanting her.

She sat a few seats away from him at the center table in the dining room. The wrought-iron fixture above the table gave her already shiny hair an almost metallic glow. High-tech hairstyle to match her high-tech toys.

“Pete?”

He started. The raised voice and the stares from a couple of the others at the table made it apparent Jed had spoken to him more than once. “Sorry, boss. Just making a mental note to check on Starlight when I leave here.” It was the best he could come up with.

Andi sat in the chair beside his. She smiled at him. “I’ll have to take a walk out to the stables to say hello.”

On her visits to Garland Ranch, she spent a lot of time around the barn and the corral—certainly more than Jane ever had. While he couldn’t call Andi a friend, at least they had a cordial relationship. And now, unfortunately, they had more in common than an interest in horses. Recently widowed, she was a single parent, too, with a son a couple of years younger than Rachel and a newborn daughter.

When the conversation shifted, she turned to him and said quietly, “Eric’s getting big. It’s been such a short time since our last visit, but I already see so many differences in him.”

“They sure grow fast, don’t they?”

“They sure do. And Rachel,” she murmured, “is getting prettier by the minute.”

“Don’t let her hear you say that. I’ve already got a diva on my hands.” It took all his effort to force a grin.