Ann Roth - The Rancher She Loved

The deep, slightly gruff voice sounded rusty, as if he’d just awakened. Sarah pictured him in a T-shirt and rumpled pair of pajama bottoms, his hair sticking up and stubble on his face.

Her heart fluttered and her whole body warmed. Shifting nervously, she glanced at Mrs. Yancy, who was busy wiping down the stove. As if the older woman could save her from her unwanted feelings.

Schooling her wayward emotions, she managed a cool, “Hello, Clay. What do you want?”

A rude question, but she needed him to understand that she hadn’t asked for and didn’t appreciate that kiss.

Okay, that was so not true.

Mrs. Yancy’s head whipped around, her eyebrows rising comically up her forehead.

Clay cleared his throat, as if the question threw him. “I was up in the attic this morning.”

He’d found something. Sarah gripped the phone. “Oh?” she said, barely masking her excitement.

“I don’t know how you knew to check the attic, but I’ve got a footlocker here that I’m pretty sure belonged to Tammy.”

Her heart pounded loudly in her ears. “You found a footlocker that probably belonged to Tammy,” she paraphrased for Mrs. Yancy’s benefit. “When can I take a look at it?”

“This morning is good.”

Moments later, she disconnected. “I’ll make those calls to the ranchers later. I’m going back to Clay’s to see that footlocker.”

“Don’t you think you should put on some clothes first?” Behind her bifocals, Mrs. Yancy’s eyes twinkled.

In her eagerness, Sarah had forgotten she was still in her robe and pajamas. “Right. Excuse me while I shower and dress.”

Some thirty minutes later, wearing her favorite jeans, the ones that flattered her rear end, she headed downstairs. Mrs. Yancy was waiting for her in the living room.

“You’re wearing makeup, and the royal blue color of that blouse brings out the blue in your eyes and the roses in your cheeks. Clay is sure to notice how pretty you are.”

Sarah blushed. “I’m not interested in him.” At least, she didn’t want to be. She felt compelled to add, “This is how I usually dress—except for days like yesterday, when I was on the road, traveling.”

“Well, you look lovely. I’ll be interested to know what you find in that footlocker.”

“I’ll let you know,” Sarah said. “I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”

“No worries. If I’m not here, walk on in and make yourself at home.”

Grateful for the woman’s trust and kindness, Sarah smiled and hurried out the door.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.