Chapter 1
Cows.
Jessy had nothing against cows.
She had simply never thought she’d be living surrounded by hundreds of creatures.
And horses, of course. But as she drove down the lonely—barely paved—road that led to the Danson ranch, she reminded herself she didn’t have to live here; she could make all the right arrangements to keep the ranch going and then head straight back to New York City.
She smiled to herself, shrugging inwardly. There were those who might be horrified by the prospect of living in a place that was surrounded by giant buildings, the constant shriek of horns, and enough traffic to draw curse words from a nun.
But she’d grown up in New York. She loved New York. She’d gone to college in NYC; and while in her business a degree wasn’t everything, she had loved her years at the university. And she had been employed by the McTavish Publishing Company before she’d even graduated, and while she didn’t need to live in New York to keep working for them . . .
The city was filled with inspiration! Museums, art galleries, theaters . . . so much that stirred the artistic soul!
And here . . .
Seriously.
How the hell long could she draw cows?
Of course, it wasn’t that she hadn’t seen cows—or her family ranch—before. She had loved the ranch, too, mainly because she had adored her grandfather. He had been the first one to regale her with stories, to teach her to tell stories with pictures of puppies, kittens, and . . .
Yes, horses. And even cows.
More than that, she had simply loved her grandfather. He was the strongest human being she had met, a man whose very strength had allowed him to be extra kind, to respect every other human being, and to have care for any animal.
He raised horses. Prized quarter horses, exceptionally fit for all the different rodeos and shows that took place in this part of Colorado. And he had all the right people in place—Cody, his ranch manager. Plus, of course, the other Danson employees: Eddie, Tate, and David, the ranch hands who worked with Cody; Samantha, who managed the house; and Jenson Applegate, who handled all the business transactions. They had all been with Kelly for years before his death, and they were probably just waiting for her to give the go-ahead for them to continue as they were doing. Maybe they needed raises; that was fine. She believed in hard work being a great cause for a raise.
And, of course, the care of the animals was covered. The good doctors James, Laura, Donald, and Yvonne covered the care of all the animals on the ranch, from horses to dogs to any bird that managed to get hurt on the property. Her grandfather made sure tha.
“all creatures, great and small”
received care when injured.
He really had been a great man, Jessy thought. Great in the strength that always allowed for kindness.
Hmm . . .
Except she wasn’t sure why he had left her the note, written years before his death at the ripe old age of ninety-five. In the note he begged her to take and love the ranch and keep it running as it was something that had mattered so very much to him, and it was something she would discover to be her heritage, something that she loved, too!
Loved even more than the towering buildings, hustle and shove, and downright deafening noise of the city.
She managed to smile. He’d known that she loved him as he had loved her, his only grandchild. He had also known that with such a note, he could manipulate her. But just so that he could be certain, a stipulation in his will had said she must come and sign papers and make future arrangements in person.
“Well, Grampa, I’m coming out!”
she murmured aloud.
She passed the McFarlane property, and as she did so, she remembered an incident from the summer she had visited before her thirteenth birthday, something that had put a bit of a snag in her dining choices to this day.
Her grandfather had been making rodeo plans with Brian McFarlane, and she’d been standing by one of the pastures. One cow had come up to her, and she had found herself stroking the animal’s ears. Then a calf came up and another calf . . .
And then she’d gasped with horror, backing away.
They were creatures someone was going to eat!
But Wyatt McFarlane, about sixteen at the time, had come out of the house laughing at her.
“Don’t worry! My dad only raises dairy cows. Trust me. The cows don’t care if you drink milk or eat cheese!”
Laughing at her. Yeah, well, he’d been so cool as a teenager and was on the football team, Mr. Exceptionally Good-looking with his dark hair and startling blue-green eyes. He’d also made the grades to send him on to Yale; and besides being so physically handsome, naturally he’d played the guitar and excelled in music.
Now . . .
Well, she hadn’t seen him in almost a decade now, not since she’d been a skinny and awkward teenager herself and he had been a college man, getting dual degrees in business and music.
Well, she’d gone on herself! She was an accomplished artist with a dozen illustrated novels for children on the market, as well as a few graphic novels for adults!
But the one reason she could never forget that day when she’d been petting cows had to do with the fact that she had become a pescatarian. Since she had gotten her diving license and had loved many a vacation in the Caribbean—as much as she loved New York, she didn’t dive in the rivers or even in the waters of the Northeast coast—she’d seen the pretty vicious way that fish often ate fish.
She’d never seen a cow consume another!
Maybe it was all just stupid. But . . . whatever! She was here, she’d sign the papers, and she’d come back! After all, she’d visited her grandfather every year, at least until he’d gotten so sick the last months and come to New York to be with his family—her mom, dad, and her—through his last days.
And she knew, of course, why the ranch had been left to her and not her dad. Jessy loved her father with all her heart, but a stroke had left him in a wheelchair, and he was still struggling with his own health issues. She knew, too, that her father and grandfather had talked; her father had wanted the property to be left to her rather than him.
“Thanks, Dad,”
she said, speaking aloud again. Of course, she loved her father, too, and knew he wanted to come out to the ranch again. And he would do so when the doctors had cleared him to travel. She spoke out loud to herself again.
“So! Almost—”
Almost . . . !
She almost sai.
“almost home!”
“No, no, no!”
Once again, she spoke aloud, as if sound was necessary to verify the fact she wouldn’t be here long.
But even as she spoke, a giant dog leaped out in front of her, having sailed over a fence from the McFarlane property.
She slammed on her brakes just in time to avoid the animal. But having cleared the fence and reached the road, the dog started running in circles in front of her car while wagging its tail and woofing.
“Bandit!”
Even in her air-conditioned car, she heard the roar of a male voice and saw that a man was racing after the dog, leaping the fence with ease as well.
She frowned, waiting for the man and the dog to move off the road. Then she realized she knew the man.
It was Wyatt McFarlane.
He turned and saw her in the rental car and gave her a surprised smile as he slipped a leash to the collar of the mammoth dog.
The dog wagged its tail wildly, apparently thrilled by the presence of the man who had caught up with him.
Man and dog approached her window. Wyatt leaned over against the car as she lowered her window. He obviously intended to speak to her.
“Jessy! Jessy Danson. Welcome home. Of course, I’m sorry, so sorry about your granddad. He was . . . well, of course, I loved him, too. He was like an amazing grandfather to me as well,”
Wyatt said.
She nodded and attempted a smile.
“Yes, thank you. I know. He thought very highly of you. But he told me we weren’t to mourn. He’d had a long and beautiful life, and he was ready for peace and believed in God. He’d be rejoined with the grandmother I was never able to meet.”
“Well, it’s great you’re moving here, and you’re going to be taking over the ranch,” he said.
She tried to keep smiling.
“I’m not staying. I mean, I’ll see to it that Grampa’s people keep things running well, but I’m not moving out here.”
“Ah, can’t leave the city lights, eh?”
he asked.
“Well, too bad for us! You’d have been a welcome addition to the community.”
“Thanks,”
she murmured. She found herself wondering about him. She knew he’d graduated from Yale about five years ago—she’d heard her parents and grandfather talking about the fact that he could have gone pro, but that he’d considered football a game that was great and that it was fun while he was in high school and college, but not at all what he wanted to do with his life. Then again, from what she understood, he wasn’t using his music degree, either—other than playing in local cafés and sometimes showing up somewhere on a bigger stage.
No . . .
The man had come home after all that. To raise cows.
It wasn’t going to happen to her!
By then the massive dog had come to the window, still madly wagging its tail and slobbering all over the window.
That was all right. She loved dogs. And it was a rental.
“Oh, come on now, Bandit!”
he admonished the dog.
“That’s all right,”
Jessy said quickly.
“What is he? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bigger dog!”
“The vet says he’s a mix between an English mastiff and a Great Dane and maybe something else,”
Wyatt told her with a shrug.
“Someone ditched him in one of the big trash bins behind Murphy’s Pub—you know the place in town. Brian Murphy heard him crying when he went in to open. He lives in town in an apartment, nowhere to keep such a massive animal, so . . .”
He broke off, grimacing.
“He didn’t want to call animal control. He called me, and I went to pick him up and . . . here he is! I mean, yeah, he looks like a giant bear or something, but he’s the sweetest guy in the universe. The only danger with him is he might love someone to death.”
Jessy had to smile at that.
“Come out. Meet him properly. He can have manners,”
Wyatt told her.
She shrugged.
What difference did it make? Dusk was just starting to fall, and the lawyers weren’t due at the Danson ranch until noon the next day.
She got out of the car. She was about five-eight herself, but the massive dog stood almost as tall as she did while he was on all fours.
“Wow, this guy is ready for the Guinness Book of World Records!”
she said, stroking the animal’s head. He moved forward as if to give her a big sloppy kiss.
“Manners, Bandit!”
Wyatt said.
The dog sat and offered Jessy a massive paw. She laughed and shook his paw and found herself wondering about Wyatt again. His parents were alive and well, to the best of her knowledge. But here he was, and it looked like he was working at and for the ranch. Then again, everyone wore jeans and tailored cotton shirts or T-shirts around here and, with Christmas and true winter close on the horizon, denim jackets.
“Bought your latest book,”
he told her.
“Gave one to my little cousin, Tabitha. It was adorable. Didn’t really understand it all. You’re listed as a paper engineer and artist.”
She smiled.
“I set it all up for the pop-ups—so the art is in position to be cut and turn into the right things, along with being the artist on that book.”
“Kitty the Kitten Finds a Home,”
he said, reminding her of the title.
“Really cute.”
“Thanks.”
She realized she was still stroking Bandit’s head, her own tilted a little so she could look up at Wyatt as they spoke. He hadn’t changed much. Or maybe he had. He was a man now, still just as striking, his jaw a bit more solid, his rakish hair a little shorter, but his smile still intact.
And too charming.
Okay, time to move on!
“Well, great to see you, Wyatt—”
she began.
“How long are you staying?”
he asked, interrupting her.
“I guess at least a few days,”
she said.
“But I do want to get home for Christmas.”
“The tree at Rockefeller Center and all,”
he said lightly.
“No, you must have heard. My dad isn’t in great health, either. I mean, we believe he’s going to pull out and do fine, but he’s not supposed to travel right now. I want to be home with him. I’m sure he wishes he could be here, but . . .”
She left off with a shrug.
“Yes, I understand,”
he said.
“I’m sorry to hear he hasn’t been well. He’s as nice a man as your granddad was.”
“Thanks,”
she murmured.
“I should get going.”
“Right, sorry! Bandit and I didn’t mean to waylay you.”
“No, no, it was great to see you again, too, of course,”
she told him.
“I . . . it’s just hard, you know. Grampa loved this place so much, and he was so proud of leaving me this kind of an inheritance, and . . .”
“And you hate cows and love New York City,”
he said, grinning.
“First off, I don’t hate cows—”
she began.
“That’s right! Are you still a pescatarian?”
he asked her.
“Yeah. Sometimes I even feel guilty about the fish, except that when I’m diving, I see them eating each other all the time. But yeah, I’m still a pescatarian.”
She made a face.
“I have a friend who loves to tell me that lobsters are in a very strange way related to cockroaches.”
Wyatt laughed. She’d forgotten just how striking and likeable the man could be. No, maybe she hadn’t. All the time she’d known him before, the few years’ age difference between them had been major. But now, they were both adults, and three years was nothing; they’d both lived lives that had granted them maturity and . . .
No, no, no.
She wasn’t going to allow herself to remember that she’d always had something of a crush on the man.
He wasn’t really any part of her life. Just a piece of the past.
“Cockroaches, eh? Yummy!”
Wyatt teased.
“Well, there’s not a lot of diving out here,”
he said dryly.
“Then again,”
he murmured, frowning before asking her.
“you do a lot of diving in NYC?”
She laughed.
“No, I do a lot of dive vacations. I got into it years ago when I was still a senior in college, and I was hired for a kids’ book about a friendly shark.”
“And you found a friendly shark?”
he asked dubiously.
“I made my creature a nurse shark. They’re bottom guys and not aggressive. There’s even a guy in the Florida Keys who has trained a pack of them—and rays—to play with divers. Then you move on to another location and see a lemon shark or a mako and . . .”
She shrugged.
“You see a ton of people who should know better than thrashing around in the water to get back to the boat.”
“Don’t I know it,”
he said, shaking his head.
“What? You’re kidding me. You dive now, too?”
He laughed.
“Spring break, first year of college. A group of us headed over to the Cayman Islands. We took quickie classes and then the real thing back at school. Love it. So far, you leave the world behind, unless you’re a Navy Seal or the like, filming underwater maybe . . . but so far, you don’t bring your cell phone down, and you leave the world behind except for your own bubbles and the beauty of the water and the nature around you.”
“All that and you’re still here!”
Jessy said.
“It sounds like you should have moved to the Florida Keys!”
“I do have a condo down there,”
he told her.
She laughed, her brows shooting up.
“Cows to sea cows!”
“You got it!”
It was fun standing there, her hand on Bandit’s head, laughing with the man she had known as a kid, finding out how strangely certain things in their lives had been on parallel lines.
“Well, remember me on that one! One day, when you’re involved in a million business ventures, I’ll be borrowing that condo!”
she warned him.
“You got it,”
he told her.
“Okay, thanks! So, hmm. I really should—”
“Yeah, yeah, again, I didn’t mean to hold you. Get on to your place, and anyway, I’m here if you need anything, if we can help you in any way. Oh! Wait! Hey, I’m playing tonight. If you’re bored, if you want something to do. At the pub, starting about eight. And you’re more than welcome to join us about six-thirty there for dinner first,” he said.
She smiled and nodded, then frowned, grimacing.
“That phenomenal education and talent—”
“Thanks, on that.”
“And you aren’t hitting the arenas?”
she asked him.
Rude! she told herself silently, wincing at her own words. Accusing him of not bothering to use any of his potential.
But he just smiled.
“I love music. But I do have other interests in life. Yeah, local pub, but—”
“Oh, I am sorry! I didn’t mean it that way. I mean—”
He laughed, interrupting her with.
“City girl. Come on, this place isn’t so bad. We’re not that far from some amazing places. I love Colorado Springs and all kinds of places within the state here. You got a bunch of your big buildings in Denver, Boulder . . . I am a strangely happy man. Still living with my parents, you’re thinking? No, I have my own little place on the property. And I do need to travel frequently on business now. But yes! I love my mom and dad and I love our cows—you gave me that, you know.”
“What?”
Jessy demanded, stunned that she might have had an effect on his life in any way.
“You looked like you were petting a pack of puppies that long-ago day.”
“Did I turn you into a pescatarian?”
she asked him.
He shrugged.
“I still eat bacon. Pigs will eat a human being—I saw an interesting example in one of my college classes. But cows . . . Anyway, go! I hope to see you later!”
“Maybe!”
she told him, giving Bandit one last pat and sliding back behind the steering wheel.
It didn’t take a full five minutes to drive the rest of the way to her grandfather’s property.
Her property now, she reminded herself with a wince.
And once she had come down the long drive past several of the pastures to the house, she saw that she had been expected.
The staff were all out to greet her.
Cody Connelly, rugged looking, fiftyish, weathered from years in the sun, but quick to smile—the ranch manager. He stood with Eddie Andrews, Tate Laughton, and David Benson, the men who worked with Cody to feed the animals, keep the stalls clean, work with the horses and customers as well. Eddie was only about thirty, the newest in the group, sandy-haired and boyish. Tate was closer to Cody’s age and had been at the ranch for as long as Jessy could remember. He was tall and lean with his dark hair just beginning to show signs of gray. David Benson was just a few years younger than Cody and Tate, but his hair had already turned a silvery gray. He was a big man, stocky and strong.
And along with the ranch hands, she saw with a smile, Samantha Miller and Jenson Applegate were lined up to greet her as well. Samantha was also around fifty; a slim, wiry woman, always energetic, she had been a staple at the ranch since Jessy had been a child. Jenson looked just the way a business manager should look; he was dressed in a suit and might have walked out of any major corporation in New York City. A man of about forty, he appeared as if he could handle anything that had to do with function and paperwork. Dark hair cut short, he was about six feet even and fit. He’d been with the Danson ranch for about ten years.
“Sweetheart!”
It was Samantha who greeted her with such enthusiasm, stepping forward to give her a warm hug.
“Of course, we miss your grampa terribly,”
Samantha told her.
“but we’re so very happy you’re here!”
And next, of course, the dogs, Misty and Morgan, big sweet German shepherds who could almost bark louder than any alarm known to man. Her grandfather had always depended on them. They knew who belonged on the ranch and who didn’t.
A chorus went up among all those around her, echoing Samantha’s words, all the group welcoming her.
Welcoming her home.
She decided not to say anything about it not really being “home”
at all at that time; it was just nice to greet people who had loved her grandfather and were truly happy to see her.
“It’s wonderful to see all of you. And to thank you, for all that you did for my grandfather for so many years!”
“Working for your grandfather was a pleasure,”
Cody said.
“We’ll get your things out of the car!”
Eddie told her.
“I wasn’t sure what room you wanted,”
Samantha told her, light blue eyes sparkling.
“But you had your old room set up nicely last time you were here—”
She broke off with a laugh, her powder-blue eyes bright.
“You took down all your old boy-band crush posters, repainted, and your grampa bought those great drapes that matched the bedspread. And the room has a private bathroom, so I figured you could start off there. You can always change to a different room somewhere along the line if you wanted.”
“No, that’s great and fine; my old room is great. And—”
Jessy began.
“Not to worry about your own work when you’re here!”
Eddie told her.
“I’ve got the office set up for you, new computer, every art program known to man. I’m the youngest, so yeah, hey, the right one to take care of a computer situation. But you’re a real artist, too, so I researched the best pencils, paints, all that . . . got a few easels and anything I could think of, and I honestly hope and believe I’ve covered everything you might need!”
“Oh, come on now!”
Cody said.
“Tate and David and I did a heck of a lot of the hauling!”
“Old people can haul well!”
David said, making a face that caused them all to laugh.
“Thank you, thank you all!”
she told them.
“And please don’t worry about supplies; I’m sure that everything is going to be great. And all is truly appreciated. You shouldn’t have gone through so much trouble—”
“Well, they needed to, because I am going to need to hit you with all manner of business concerns almost immediately,”
Jenson told her apologetically.
“Some silly, some more important. They’ve called from the Oak Tree Rodeo for one, wanting to know if you’re going to be riding at the event, showcasing Danson Ranch.”
“Oh, uh, well, I’m guessing one of you might want—”
“We’re going to be participating in some of the events, but come on, Jessy!”
Cody said.
“You can show off a quarter horse better than anyone I know. Remember the fun riding you were doing last time you were here out with the barrels? I don’t think I ever saw your grampa enjoy any spectacle more!”
She forced a smile and nodded. “Thanks!”
she said softly.
“Um, Jenson, please, give me just a few hours to get settled—”
“Of course. We’ll just need answers on a few things by tomorrow,”
he told her.
“And I promise you I will have answers by tomorrow,”
Jessy promised.
“So, for now—”
“Hey, guys! The poor girl has been driving for a while! We’ll all get you in and give you some peace!”
Samantha promised.
“We haven’t let her in the house yet!”
Jessy smiled, nodding. Soon enough, she’d get to the stables to say her hellos to the horses. Right now, she just wanted to get a bit settled.
Cody laughed and offered her a hand, though, of course, it was nothing to head up the few wooden steps to the porch and the front door. But she smiled and took his hand.
Entering, she felt a wall of emotion. She had spent so much of her growing-up time here. The house wasn’t elegant; it was warm. The floors were wooden, covered here and there with throw rugs in handsome designs, some depicting horses, some just colorfully designed with local flora and fauna.
Most were antique.
Like the furniture. It was Victorian, just like the house. And a massive fireplace was framed by an equally large mantel, filled with family pictures.
Her family, of course.
And of course, a curving stairway led to the second floor with its partial balcony overlooking the large parlor along with the hallways to the bedrooms.
She paused just inside the front door.
“Good to be back?”
Samantha asked her.
“I know you love New York. I love New York! I’ve only gotten to be there a few times, but . . . it is cool. But so is the ranch. Oh, well, it can be a beautiful world, cool things so many places. But . . . I can’t tell you how much we miss your grandfather. No one could have been a better, kinder, more giving boss. But he was smart, too. Any one of us would have done anything in the world for him!”
“I get that; I adored him,”
Jessy murmured.
“Getting the luggage up!”
Cody said, passing her with a suitcase.
David was right behind him, bringing her second bag. And Eddie and Tate were there, too. Eddie reminded her to check out the office and see if she liked the way he had fixed it up for her.
“I’m sure it’s going to be wonderful!”
she told him.
“Thank you!”
“Oh, and I can get you just about anything in the world you might desire to eat or drink!”
Samantha assured her.
“I stocked the kitchen!”
She thanked everyone and ran up the steps to her room. She’d had her own room here as long as she could remember. Yes, it had changed over the years, reflecting her age. And it was set up for an adult now, and . . .
With everyone gone at last to get on with their own work, she threw herself back on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. She winced, thinking herself a horrible person. She should be the most grateful person alive. Yes, she had great parents, a great life as an adult, she loved her work, and . . .
She also had this, this incredible place filled with people who cared deeply about her, who had also been a part of her life. Even if her grandfather was now gone, all that he taught her, amazing memories, were here.
“Okay, I am horrible, I shouldn’t be such a whining diva!”
she told herself aloud, giving herself a mental shake. She still couldn’t stay. New York City. The art, the museums, the nightlife, the music, so many wonderful friends, her folks!
Of course, she hoped her parents might well be out here soon enough!
She lay there, thinking that when she had her meeting with Jenson over the business discussion that he wanted, she’d have Cody there, too. She’d let them know she was putting management entirely in their hands. And yes, of course, she would come out as she had all her life to help with anything that she was really needed for, but . . .
She wouldn’t be living there!
There was a tap on her door. She frowned, forcing herself to rise.
She was stunned to open her door and discover that Wyatt McFarlane was standing there. He appeared to have showered. His hair was still damp, slicked back on his head. He was still in jeans, a new denim shirt, and his denim jacket. She realized he smelled alluringly of soap, a shower, and aftershave. He grinned, arching a brow as she looked at him with surprise.
“Figured you might not come tonight if I didn’t stop by to get you,”
he told her. He shrugged.
“Okay, pressure you.”
“Tonight? Um, well, I hadn’t thought that much about it yet—”
“Good. I’ll think for you! Grab your bag. I’ll drive. It will be late when we’re done with the gig, but hey, I’ll get you home right after.”
She smiled, but a warning light inside was going on.
No, he was being a friend, a neighbor, and it was far too easy for her to remember that she’d had her schoolgirl crush on him, but now he was a man, and she was all grown up, too!
But if she didn’t go . . .
What was she going to do that night? Lie there and torture herself about the past and the future, the ranch and New York City?
“Oh, well, listen,”
she said lightly.
“You actually smell good, and I haven’t had a chance—”
“Plenty of time for you to hop in—I’ll wait downstairs,”
he told her.
“I, uh . . .”
Well, she was here. And there was nothing wrong with dinner and music. And . . .
“Uh, okay.”
He laughed.
“I’ll be downstairs,”
he told her.
“I’ll be quick.”
He left the room, and she could hear him talking to Samantha in the hall and then heading back downstairs.
She hadn’t even opened her luggage yet, but she did so quickly. She pulled out a casual knit dress to wear—it was not a formal place, she’d been to the pub her last time here—and she thought it was fine for the atmosphere of the place.
She did tell herself that she was a little crazy, but she showered with the speed of light, hurriedly dressed, and walked on downstairs.
The house had a small formal dining room and something that was more like a larger but casual banquet area. The table there sat fourteen or fifteen people when necessary. As Jessy came down, she saw that Samantha—perhaps with help from one of the men—had made dinner for the group. Cody, Eddie, David, and Tate were seated with dinner on the table already.
Wyatt was sitting with them, chatting, enjoying a cup of coffee. But . . .
He’d been leaning low, smiling, yet Jessy had the odd feeling he was intent on whatever conversation was going on, maybe even intent on everyone in the room.
“And there she is! Our Miss America!”
Cody said, seeing her and grinning.
“Hey, Sam and I get to be very proud—we knew her since she was a wee babe!”
“Well, thank you, I don’t know much about Miss America, but I am showered at any rate,”
Jessy said lightly.
“Well, it’s great that you’re getting out,”
Samantha told her.
She wondered if they’d been talking about her. Maybe knowing that she intended to leave.
Was that the reason Wyatt had seemed so intent? No. She couldn’t have become that important so quickly.
“Yeah, and I’ll be out there myself in a few hours!”
Eddie said.
“Wyatt’s group is great! You’ll see.”
“I expect no less!”
Jessy said, grinning at Wyatt.
“Then, we’ll head out,”
Wyatt said.
“Samantha, thanks for the coffee!”
“You got it. Have fun!”
Samantha told them.
As Wyatt grinned at her and politely offered his arm, she wondered.
Maybe she would have fun.
Didn’t mean that she was staying!
And . . .
Yes, she was attracted to Wyatt McFarlane. Chemistry? Did he have the same effect on everyone?
But there had been something odd about his being there, for her, after all this time. Naturally, as a friendly thing, he’d invited her to watch him play.
But coming here, to pick her up for the evening out? Sitting at the table with the ranch’s staff, chatting as if just waiting for her, enjoying his cup of coffee?
There was something that seemed to be . . . off.
Something about it all seemed . . .
Suspicious!
But why on earth would it be?