Claiming the Rancher's Heart

“None as pretty as you,” he said. He cleared his throat and slowed the truck to a crawl as they entered the business district. “If you’re hungry we can grab a bite. Or I can show you the sites and give you some Sweet River history.”

Stacie pondered the options. She wasn’t in the mood to return to the house or to eat. Though Anna had given both her and Lauren a tour when they’d first moved to Sweet River, she didn’t remember much of the town’s history.

“Or I can take you home,” he added.

“Not home.” She immediately dismissed that option. Since they’d cleared the air, there was no reason they couldn’t enjoy the evening. “How about you do the tour-guide thing? Then, if we feel like it, we can eat.”

“Tour guide it is.”

They cruised slowly through the small business district with the windows down. She learned that the corner restaurant had once been a bank and that the food mart had been resurrected by a woman who’d moved back to Sweet River after her husband died. He gave an interesting and informative travelogue, interspersed with touches of humor and stories from the past.

“…and then Pastor Barbee told Anna he didn’t care if she dressed it like a baby—she couldn’t bring a lamb to church.”

Laughter bubbled up inside Stacie and spilled from her lips.

“I can’t believe Anna had a lamb for a pet.” She couldn’t keep a touch of envy from her voice. “My parents wouldn’t even let me have a dog.”

He looked at her in surprise. “You like dogs?”

“Love ‘em.”

“Me, too.” He chuckled. “I better…I’ve got seven.”

Stacie raised a brow. “Seven?”

“Yep.”

She marveled that he could look so serious when telling such a tall tale.

“Wow, we have so much in common.” Stacie deliberately widened her eyes. “You have seven dogs. I have seven pink ostriches.”

Josh cast her a startled glance. “I’m serious.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Okay, one dog and six pups,” he clarified. “Bert, my blue heeler, had puppies eight weeks ago.”

He seemed sincere, but something still wasn’t making sense. “Did you say Bert had puppies?”

“Her given name is Birdie.” The look on his face told her what he thought of that name. “My mother chose it because Bert loves to chase anything with wings.”

Stacie laughed. “I bet they’re cute. The puppies, I mean.”

“Want to see them?”

She straightened in her seat. “Could I?”

“If you don’t mind a road trip,” he said in a casual tone. “My ranch is forty miles from here.”

He was letting her know that if she agreed, they’d be spending the rest of the day together. And he was giving her an out. But Stacie didn’t hesitate. She adored puppies. And she was enjoying this time with Josh.

“It’s a beautiful day,” Stacie said, not even glancing at the sky. “Perfect for a drive.”

“Don’t give me that,” he said, a smile returning to his face. “I’ve got your number. You don’t care about the drive. Or the weather. This is all about the dogs.”

“Nuh-uh.” Stacie tried to keep a straight face but couldn’t keep from laughing.

He did have her number. And she hoped this was all about the dogs. Because if it wasn’t, she was in big trouble.

Chapter Two

Josh pulled up in front of his weathered ranch house and wondered when he’d lost his mind. Was it when he’d first seen the dark-haired beauty sitting on the porch and felt that stirring of attraction? Or when he’d started talking about the weather and she’d listened with rapt attention? Or maybe when her eyes had lit up like Christmas tree lights when he’d mentioned the puppies?

Whatever the reason, bringing her to the ranch had been a mistake.

He cast a sideways glance and found her staring wide-eyed, taking it all in. When her gaze lingered on the peeling paint, he fought the urge to explain that he had brushes and rollers and cans of exterior latex in the barn ready to go once he got the rest of the cattle moved. But he kept his mouth shut.

It didn’t matter what she thought of his home; it was his and he was proud of it. Situated on the edge of the Gallatin National Forest and nestled at the base of the Crazy Mountains, the land had been in his family for five generations. When he’d first brought Kristin here as a bride the house had been newly painted and remodeled. Still, she’d found fault.

“It’s so—” Stacie began, then stopped.

Shabby. Old. Isolated. His mind automatically filled in the words his wife—ex-wife, he corrected himself—had hurled at him whenever they’d argued.

“Awesome.” Stacie gazed over the meadow east of the house, already blue with forget-me-nots. “Like your own little piece of paradise.”

Surprised, Josh exhaled the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

“Oh-h.” Stacie squealed and leaned forward, resting her hands on the dash, her gaze focused on the short-haired dog, with hair so black it almost looked blue, streaking toward the truck. “Is that Bert?”

Josh smiled and pulled to a stop in front of the house. “That’s her.”

“I can’t wait to pet her.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Josh saw her reach for the door handle. Before she could push it open, he grabbed her arm. “Let me get the door.”

“That’s okay.” Stacie tugged at his firm grasp. “I’ll let you off being gentlemanly this once.”

“No.” Josh tightened his fingers around her arm. When her gaze dropped to the hand encircling her arm, he released his grip, knowing he had some quick explaining to do. “Bert can be territorial. You’re a stranger. I’m not sure how she’ll react to you.”

He didn’t want to scare Stacie, but last week the UPS man had stopped by and Bert had bared her teeth.

“Oh.” A startled look crossed Stacie’s face and she sank back in the seat. “Of course. I don’t know why that never occurred to me.”

“She’ll probably be fine,” he said a trifle gruffly, disturbed by the protective feelings rising in him. “I just don’t want to take any chances.”

A look of gratitude filled her eyes but he pretended not to notice. He pushed open the door and stepped from the truck. He didn’t need her thanks. He’d do this for any woman, including old Miss Parsons, who’d rapped his knuckles with a ruler in third grade. Yep, he’d do this for any female, not just for a pretty one that made him feel like a schoolboy again.

Josh shifted his attention to the predominantly black-and-gray-colored dog that stood at his feet, her white-tipped tail wagging wildly.

“Good girl.” He reached down and scratched Bert’s head. She’d been a birthday gift from his mother, six months before Kristin moved out. She’d never liked the dog. But then, by the time she left, Kristin hadn’t liked much of anything; not the ranch, the house or him.

“Can I get out now?”

Josh grinned at the impatient voice coming from the truck’s cab. Shoving aside thoughts of the past, he hurried to her door, Bert at his heels.

He paused and dropped his gaze to the dog. “Sit.”

Bert did as instructed, her intelligent, amber-colored eyes riveted to him, ears up, on full alert.

“Miss Summers is a friend, Bert,” Josh warned as he opened the passenger door. “Be good.”

Despite the warning, the hair on Bert’s neck and back rose as the brunette exited the vehicle. Josh moved between her and the dog.

“Nice doggie.” Stacie’s voice was low and calm as she slipped around him. She took a step forward and held out her hand. “Hello, Bert. I’m Stacie.”

Casting a look at Josh, Bert took a couple steps forward and cautiously sniffed Stacie’s outstretched hand. Then, to Josh’s surprise, Bert began to lick her fingers.

“Thank you, Birdie. I like you, too.” Stacie’s smile widened as the dog continued to lick her. “I can’t wait to see your babies. I bet they’re pretty, like their mama.”

Bert’s tail swished from side to side and Josh stared in amazement. For a woman who’d grown up without pets, Stacie certainly had a way with animals.

“Australian cattle dogs—that’s another name for blue heelers—are known for being smart and loyal. They’re great with livestock.” Josh paused. “Still, not many would call them pretty—”

“She’s very pretty.” Stacie bent over and clasped her hands over the dog’s ears, shooting Josh a warning look.

“My apologies.” Josh covered his smile with a hand. “Would you like to see the six smaller versions in the barn?”

“Are you crazy?” Stacie straightened and grabbed his hand. “Let’s go.”

Her hand felt small in his, but there was firmness in the grasp that bespoke an inner strength. When he’d discovered that he’d been matched with Anna’s friend from Denver, he’d wondered if Anna had monkeyed with the results.

He realized now that he and Stacie had more in common than he’d first thought. And he found himself liking this city girl. Of course that didn’t mean she was a good match.

He’d been with a city girl once. Fell in love with her. Married her. But he was smarter now. This time he’d keep his heart to himself.

“I feel guilty.” Josh stabbed the last piece of apple dumpling with his fork. “You spent the whole evening in the kitchen.”

Stacie took a sip of coffee and smiled at the exaggeration. She hadn’t spent the entire evening in the kitchen. They’d played with the puppies for the longest time. After that Josh had shown her all Bert’s tricks, including catching a Frisbee in midair. By then, they were both hungry and she’d offered to make dinner.

“I told you,” Stacie said, relishing the taste of the rich Columbian brew against her tongue. “Cooking is a hobby of mine. I love making something out of nothing.”

Josh lowered his fork to rest on his now-empty plate. “You’ve impressed me. That noodle thing with the sausage and peppers tasted like something I’d get in a restaurant.”

“And we didn’t even have to go out.” Stacie glanced around the modern country kitchen. After seeing the outside of the house, she’d been a bit apprehensive about the inside. But when Josh had ushered her through the front door and given her a tour, she’d been pleasantly surprised.

While the exterior needed some attention, the interior was up-to-date and exceptionally clean. When she’d complimented Josh on his tidiness, he sheepishly admitted that he had a housekeeper who came during the week to cook and clean.

“I’d have taken you out,” Josh said, his gaze meeting hers. “I hope you know that.”

“I do,” Stacie said. “But this was more fun.”

“I agree.” Josh smiled and the fine lines that fanned out from the corners of his eyes crinkled appealingly. He pushed back his chair. “How ‘bout we take our coffee into the family room?”

Stacie rose. Her gaze lingered on the dishes in the sink before returning to the ones still on the table.

“Don’t even think about it.” He placed his hand in the small of her back and nudged her toward the doorway. “I’ll clean up later.”

Moments later, Stacie was sitting on a burgundy leather sofa listening to Josh finish his story about the fire that had threatened 180,000 acres several years earlier.

“I was fortunate,” Josh said. “The damage to my property was minimal. It could have been so much worse.”

Stacie studied the rugged cowboy who sat on the sofa a mere foot away from her. “You love it, don’t you?”

He tilted his head. “Love what?”

“The land. Your life here,” Stacie said. “I see it in your eyes. Hear it in your voice. This is your passion.”

“From the time I was small, all I’ve wanted to do was be a rancher.” His expression turned serious. “This land is part of me, and it will be part of my legacy.”

“What about your parents?” Stacie asked, realizing that up to this point they hadn’t discussed family at all. “Are they around?”

“They live in Sweet River,” Josh said. “My dad runs the bank. My mother is the director of nursing at the hospital.”

Bank? Hospital? “I thought you’d grown up on a ranch?”

“I did,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone. “But my father was never into it. As soon as I returned home from college, he turned the place over to me.”

“Sounds like the passion for the land skipped a generation,” Stacie said in a light tone.

Josh lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “It’s a great life, but definitely not for everyone.”

Stacie wished her family had the same attitude. Why couldn’t they understand that what worked for them didn’t work for her? That’s why she’d gone away to college and stayed in Denver after graduation rather than returning to Michigan. She wanted to find her passion, her purpose, not lead a life she hadn’t chosen.

A coyote howled in the distance, the eerie sound drifting in on the breeze through the screened patio door. Stacie shivered. “It’s so quiet out here…so isolated. Do you ever get lonely?”

“I have friends.” The smile that had hovered on the edge of his lips most of the evening disappeared and his shoulders stiffened. “I see my parents at least weekly.”

“But you live by yourself.” Stacie wasn’t sure why she was pressing the issue, but the answer somehow seemed important. “Almost an hour from civilization.”

“Sometimes I get lonely,” he said. “But when I have a family of my own, it’ll be different.”

“The solitude would drive me bonkers.” Stacie took a sip of coffee. “I need people. The more the merrier.”

“It’s important to know what you want and what you don’t.” Josh’s expression gave nothing away. “I need to find a woman who could be happy with this kind of life.”

“Cross me off that list,” Stacie said, keeping her tone light.

Josh’s gaze never left her face. “I’ve never been much for lists.”

Regardless of his obvious reluctance to hurt her feelings, she knew he’d made his decision, just like she’d made hers. No matter what the computer thought, she and Josh weren’t meant to ride together into the sunset.

She took another sip of coffee and gazed out the screen door, feeling a little sad at the thought. Which made absolutely no sense at all. “The good thing is we haven’t completed our first date and we already know it’s not going to work.”

“What’s so good about that?”

Didn’t he understand that she was doing her best to see the glass as half-full? “We don’t have to waste time—”

“Are you saying tonight was a waste?”

She exhaled an exasperated breath. “No, but—”

“I don’t think it was a waste at all,” he said. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve had this much fun or ate such a delicious meal.”

He smiled and her pulse skipped a beat. Yikes. She’d never thought a cowboy could be so sexy.

Stacie placed her cup on the coffee table. “I should be getting home.”

“Not yet.” Josh reached forward and gently touched her face, letting his finger glide along her jaw.

He’s going to kiss me. He’s going to kiss me. He’s going to kiss me.

The words ran through her head like a mantra. She told herself to pull away. To put some distance between them. To just say no. He was Anna’s friend, after all, and he was looking for someone special. But instead of moving back, she leaned into his caress, her body quivering with anticipation.

He moved closer. Then closer still. So close she could see the flecks of gold in his eyes and feel his breath upon her cheek. She was already anticipating the taste of his lips when he abruptly sat back, his hand dropping to his side. “This is a bad idea.”

Her heart dropped like a lead balloon and she felt like a child whose favorite toy had been snatched from her grasp.

For several heartbeats they simply looked at each other.

“You’re right.” Her pulse, which had stalled, began to thump like a bass drum. “It’s late. I should get home.”

When she stood he didn’t try to stop her. By the time she reached the front door, her heart had settled into a regular rhythm. She paused on the porch and took a deep breath of crisp mountain air, hoping it would clear her tangled thoughts. Darkness had fallen, but thanks to a brilliant moon and a sky filled with stars, she could see clearly.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bert racing across the yard toward her. Her spirits lifted and she stopped at the base of the porch steps to give the dog a goodbye hug. Bert reciprocated with a wet kiss to her cheek. She laughed and gave the animal another quick squeeze.

When she straightened, she found Josh staring.

“What can I say?” she said. “Animals love me.”

“Of course they do,” she thought she heard him mutter under his breath.

Though the truck in the drive was less than twenty feet away, the walk seemed to take forever. She quickly discovered that heeled sandals and a gravel drive weren’t a good combination. Not to mention that every time she took a step, Bert pushed against her, forcing her closer to Josh.

When they got to the pickup, Josh reached past her to open the passenger door. Stacie inhaled the spicy scent of his aftershave and a yearning to play “kiss the cowboy” returned.

But instead of giving into temptation, she stepped back, putting a more comfortable distance between them. She was congratulating herself on her good sense when sharp teeth sank into the back of her heel. She yelped and leapt forward, crashing against Josh’s broad chest.

His arms closed protectively around her and a look of concern blanketed his face. “What’s wrong?”

Stacie turned in his embrace to cast the dog a reproachful look. “Birdie bit the back of my foot.”

The animal cocked her head and swished her tail slowly. Her dark lips curved upward until it almost looked as if she were smiling.

“Nipping heels is one of the ways she herds cattle,” Josh said in an apologetic tone. “It’s her nature.”

“I don’t like that part of her nature.” Stacie wagged a finger at Bert. “Don’t do that again.”

The dog stared for a moment and then lifted a paw and proceeded to lick it.

“She’s sorry,” Josh said, a little smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Yeah, right.” If Stacie didn’t know better she’d believe the animal had wanted her in Josh’s arms and had done what she could to make that happen.

“Nothing will ever hurt you,” Josh said, his eyes dark and intense. “Not on my watch.”

“Are you saying the cowboy will protect me against the big, bad dog?” she asked in a teasing tone.

“Most definitely.” His gaze drifted to her lips.

Though she knew she was playing with fire, Stacie slipped her arms around his neck, raking her fingers through his thick, wavy hair. “What I want to know is, who’s going to protect me against you?”

She wasn’t sure he heard the question. Because the words had barely left her lips when his mouth closed over hers.

Chapter Three

“You kissed her?” Seth Anderssen let out a hoot of laughter that echoed throughout the Coffee Pot Café.

Josh scowled and wrapped his fingers around the small cup, wishing he’d kept his big mouth shut. After all, Seth’s sister, Anna, was Stacie’s friend. If Seth mentioned to her he’d been blabbing about the date, it might get back to Stacie. And she might get the mistaken impression that he was interested. Which he wasn’t. Not in the least.

“Did she come back into the house?” Seth asked in an all-too-innocent tone. “So you two could get even better acquainted?”

Josh met his friend’s blue eyes. “Are you asking if I slept with her?”

Though no one was seated nearby, Josh had automatically lowered his voice. When his marriage crumbled he’d provided more than his share of grist for the town’s gossip mill, and he wasn’t eager to repeat the experience.

Seth’s gaze remained steady. “Did you?”

“Of course not.” Josh responded immediately, making sure his tone left no room for doubt. “We just met. Besides, she’s not my type. And I am not hers, either. She told me so.”

A smile quirked the corners of Seth’s lips. “Tell that to someone who’ll believe it.”

“She’s Anna’s friend.” Josh ground out the words, irritated at the teasing, yet not sure why. Seth had always liked to rattle his cage. Why should now be any different?

“She’s also very pretty,” Seth pointed out.

“She’s a city girl,” Josh continued. “A hothouse flower not suited to this climate.”

Just like Kristin, he thought.

“Sometimes those hybrid varieties can surprise you—”

“Then you go out with her—” Josh stopped himself, finding the thought of Stacie dating Seth strangely disturbing.

“I’m not her perfect match.” Seth took a sip of coffee. “You are.”

The words hung in the air for a long moment.

“I don’t believe that bull,” Josh said finally. “Look at Kristin and me. Everyone said we were a perfect match. Didn’t even make it three years.”

Though he now realized they were better off apart, the failure of his marriage still rankled. When he’d said his vows, he’d meant every word. He’d been willing to do whatever it took to make it work. But he’d learned the hard way that for a marriage to succeed, both parties had to share that commitment.

“That’s because you and the wicked witch weren’t matched by a computer.”

“Get real. You don’t believe in that stuff any more than I do.”

“I filled out the questionnaires, didn’t I?”

“Only ‘cause you knew Anna would have your hide if you didn’t.”

“Speaking of which…” Seth’s gaze settled on the doorway. “We got us some company.”

Even before Josh turned around he knew who he’d find standing there. The click-clack of heels had been his first clue. The light scent of jasmine mingling with the smell of café cooking grease was the giveaway.

“Stacie…Anna…what a surprise.” Josh pushed back his chair to stand, but Anna waved him down.

“Stay put,” Anna said. “We’re not staying. I saw Seth’s truck parked out front and had a quick question for him.”

Seth leaned back in his chair and lifted the coffee cup to his lips. “What can I do for you, baby sister?”

“I need more men.” Anna cast a sideways glance at Stacie. “I mean, we need more men.”

“I’m sorry Josh wasn’t man enough for you.” Seth’s gaze focused on Stacie and his tone oozed sympathy.

Josh shot him a dark glance, warning him to back off.

The merest hint of a twinkle in Seth’s eyes was his only response.

“I never said that.” Stacie’s cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink as her eyes sought his.

“Seth is a joker,” Josh said, offering her a reassuring smile. He hated seeing her distressed. Her worried frown brought out his protective instincts and he wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms…

Whoa…where had that come from? He reined in the emotion and told himself he was merely reacting to her appearance.

After all, she looked as pretty as the bluebells that filled his pasture. Instead of wearing jeans like most women in Sweet River, she had on a pair of shorts the color of the summer sky and a sleeveless, loose-fitting white shirt with something blue underneath.

Though the shorts came down midthigh and the shirt wasn’t at all revealing, Josh remembered the feel of that body against his. In fact, he could still taste the sweetness of her lips and feel the softness of her hair against his cheek…

“I’m game,” Seth’s voice broke into his thoughts. “How ‘bout you, Josh?”

Josh refocused to find the three staring expectantly at him. He quickly considered his options. He could admit that his mind had been traveling down a dead-end road or he could just go along. After all, Seth had already agreed. “Okay by me.”

“Great.” Anna smiled. “We’ll see you at eight.”

With their business concluded, the two women turned and headed for the door, admiring looks following in their wake.

“Should be interesting,” Seth said.

“What?”

Seth grinned. “I knew you weren’t listening.”

It wasn’t the smile that worried Josh; it was the gleam in Seth’s eye. A sinking feeling filled the pit of Josh’s stomach. “Tell me.”