Kathie DeNosky - Rich, Rugged Ranchers

Luke turned his head to the side and slowly nodded. “I’m coming home tomorrow, doctor or no doctor.”

Logan knew he meant business. Nothing much kept his brother down.

Sophia spent the morning going over upcoming events at the lodge with Ruth. There was the annual Memorial Day barbecue, marking the beginning of the summer season, as well as a wedding planned in the first week of June. Sophia took notes, reviewed the ledgers and read the week’s guest surveys to see if there was anything they could improve on. She made her daily rounds inside the lodge, checking on the staff, and then strolled outside to meet with sunshine and warm fresh air.

So far, so good, she thought as she stood on the veranda, looking out at the newly blossoming garden, the green pastures and beyond. Everywhere her eyes touched belonged to the Slades but for the dazzling Sierra Nevadas. Now she was a small part of that empire. Being half owner of the lodge brought her a fuller range of responsibilities than managerial duties and although it was a bit daunting, Sophia had geared herself up for the challenge.

She strode past the gates and headed for the stables. One of the services of the lodge was to offer guided horse rides on the property, and Sophia held a revised schedule on her clipboard.

Just as she arrived, Hunter Halliday rounded the barn wall, and stopped three inches short of bowling her over. Stunned, she leaned way back, the clipboard flying out of her hands as she lost her balance. Hunter reached for her, his hands firm and steady on her shoulders to right her.

“Oh, Ms. Sophia. Didn’t see you coming.”

He was taller than her by five inches and broad-shouldered for a boy of seventeen. She had to look up at him. “It’s all right. I didn’t see you, either.”

“As long as you’re okay,” he said, giving her body a quick scan. Once he realized his hands were still on her, he removed them quickly, and blushed red under his tanned skin.

She straightened herself out, took a breath and thought to ease Hunter’s mind by getting right down to business. “I’m fine, really. I need to run something by your dad.” She bent to retrieve the clipboard off the ground. When she came up holding it, Hunter appeared perplexed that he hadn’t thought to pick it up himself.

He blinked. “Sorry.”

“No problem. Is your dad here by any chance?”

“Nope,” he said. “Dad’s at the ranch today.”

“Actually, maybe you can help me. Will you check over this new schedule, and tell me if it looks okay? I made some changes.” She handed him the clipboard.

Hunter seemed relieved that she’d moved on to business. “Sure, I can do that.”

“No hurry. If you want to bring it by the office tomorrow morning, that’s soon enough.”

“I’ll do that.”

“Thank you. Oh, and Hunter … good catch. I might have fallen on my butt if you hadn’t caught me.”

Hunter smiled shyly. “I wouldn’t have let that happen.”

Sophia walked away from the barn thinking that Ward Halliday had raised a well-mannered boy.

Her mood brightened even more when she spotted Edward across the yard with Blackie at his heels. The boy tossed a ball and Blackie took off running.

Sophia came up just as Blackie returned. “Hello, Edward.”

“Hi,” he said.

“No school today?”

He shook his head. “It’s p-parent’s day.”

Sophia immediately ached for Edward. Neither one of his parents would show up for the parents’ conference today. His teacher wouldn’t share with them his strengths and weaknesses in the classroom. They wouldn’t hear about his behavior and his homework habits. They wouldn’t come home feeling proud of his accomplishments. Sophia hid her sorrow for the boy. She reminded herself that he had Constance. His grandmother was determined to make sure Edward knew he was loved. “That means it’s really kids’ day.”

The boy grinned, and Blackie jumped up against Edward’s lanky frame, pleading for another ball toss. Edward didn’t disappoint. He threw the ball and the dog went running again. “I g-get to play with B-Blackie and then go o-on a h-hike with Mr. Slade.”

Sophia winced inwardly. Logan was compassionate with the boy. She was glad of it, but seeing that side of Logan only confused her more. “Where do you hike?”

Edward pointed to a low rise on the mountains. “Up th-there.”

“And does Blackie get to go?”

“Yep.”

“Sounds like fun.”

Edward gave her a thoughtful look. “W-want to come?”

Sophia was touched by the invitation. “Oh, uh …”

“Ms. Montrose has work to do.”

Sophia whirled around, startled by the sound of Logan’s voice. It was the second time today she’d been nearly bowled over. “Logan, where did you come from?”

He grinned. “Same place as everybody else.”

She wanted to slap the crooked smile off his face, until he looked at Edward with warmth in his eyes, and ruffled the boy’s hair.

“Hi there. You enjoying your day off from school?” Logan asked.

“Yes, sir.” The dog jaunted back and Edward pulled the ball from his mouth.

“Good. You get your chores done, and I’ll come get you in three hours. We’ll go on that hike, okay?”

“Okay,” he said.

Edward tossed the ball toward the barn, and then ran as fast as he could to catch up to the dog that had dashed after it. Once he’d gotten a good thirty feet away, he turned and waved to Sophia.

Sophia waved back, and watched him until he entered the barn.

“You’re good with the boy,” Sophia said, not realizing she’d spoken the words aloud.

Logan clucked his tongue. “As opposed to being downright mean and rotten?”

Sophia snapped her head up, annoyed at Logan for sucking the joy out of a purely innocent comment. “It’s a wonder you can stand up straight with that giant chip on your shoulder.”

He put his head down, stared at his boots and sighed heavily. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right. You paid me a compliment and—”

“You found something sinister in an honest observation.”

Logan’s dark brows lifted, creasing his forehead. “You make me sound like a devil.”

Since when did Logan care what she thought of him? She searched his eyes and with a shake of her head admitted, “I don’t think you’re mean.”

He looked away, unwilling to share a poignant moment with her, unwilling to realize that she didn’t hold harsh feelings for him the way he did for her. “Edward has had a rough childhood. His parents have made bad choices, and the boy shouldn’t have to pay for that.”

As he spoke, she noted the pain in Logan’s voice. For a brief moment, she wondered if Logan related to Edward because he’d had pain in his life, too. Pain she was certain he attributed to her mother’s relationship with his dad. “Life isn’t always fair,” Sophia said.

He stared at her. “No, it isn’t.”

Sophia balked at his negative tone. This conversation was going nowhere. “I’d better get back to work.”

She brushed by him, but before she was out of his reach, he took hold of her arm, his fingertips gently digging into the flesh. His touch stirred her senses. She paused for a second, sensations rippling through her body. On a silent sigh, she turned to face him. “What?”

“I’ve got appointments all afternoon, and the hike with Edward later. We have to talk about Ruth’s party sometime.”

“Your schedule is busier than mine. Tell me when, and I’ll be there.”

“First thing tomorrow morning. Come to my office at 8:00 a.m. sharp.”

Logan’s home office was private, so there’d be no chance of Ruth catching on. She’d never suspect a thing and that was the whole point of the surprise. Sophia dreaded being alone with Logan, yet what choice did she have—they were partners. “I’ll be there.”