Rich, Rugged Ranchers

“You catch on fast.” His teasing smile was so genuine and rare that Sophia found herself staring at his mouth. He looked handsome in a three-piece Western suit with a brocade vest, but when he flashed his pearly whites her heart raced.

“The empty restaurant and the little tour you gave introducing me to the chef and his staff were dead giveaways.”

He grinned. “I can’t fool you. The food’s pretty good. The place is quiet. And the view is …”

“Magnificent,” she whispered in awe. Her gaze wandered over the trees to the shimmering silver lake as she took in the natural splendor.

“Yeah, it is.” His tone made her turn away from the sugar pines to face him.

He stared at her a long moment, his eyes piercing her soul. He took a sip of his scotch and shook his head as if trying to clear out his thoughts.

“What is it?” she asked softly.

He drew a deep breath. “Nothing.”

But it was something. He’d looked tormented for a second. The amused gleam in his eyes evaporated—he’d gone to some distant place—and regret marred his handsome expression.

“We can eat anytime you want,” he said, transforming his expression to produce a charming smile. “The chef has prepared something special for us.”

Sophia wouldn’t question Logan further. She refused to let her mind go to a dark place of doubt and uncertainty. Maybe she’d only imagined the tortured look on his face. “I would love to try the chef’s specialty.”

Logan showed her to a table that was in the prettiest corner of the room. She was well aware that he had closed down the restaurant for a private meal with her. She couldn’t say she wasn’t impressed and flattered. “Do you go to such trouble for all your first dates?”

“I can honestly tell you, no, I don’t.”

His declaration made Sophia extremely happy. “More like a Kickin’ Kitchen kind of thing then?”

“Don’t disparage Kickin’. The food’s great when you know your limits.”

Sophia raised her brows but she let Logan get away with that jibe. She was glad to see his mood lighten. “So how long have you owned this place?”

“Six months.”

“I think it’s a wonderful chateau but I’m a little surprised.”

“Because I’m a rancher and this isn’t really in my wheel-house?”

Sophia didn’t want to pry but she was curious, so she gave him a slight nod.

“My friend owned the place, but he couldn’t make it work. His managerial skills were not up to snuff. He was losing business, about to go into foreclosure.” Logan shrugged as if buying a business was an everyday occurrence for him. “I don’t like to see beautiful things fall to ruin, and in this case, I could do something about it. I saved my friend’s ass and bought it at a fair price.”

Sophia glanced around the entire restaurant. It was cozy and warm and elegant. “Your friend is very lucky.”

“It was business.”

“Maybe,” Sophia said. “Or maybe you’re more softhearted than you think.”

“Definitely … not.”

Logan finished off the last ounce of his scotch. He could be a hard-ass at times, but Sophia knew there was a softer side to Logan Slade, whether or not he wanted to admit it. When his guard was down, Sophia figured him to be a pretty decent man. Then a thought struck. “Isn’t Luke staying somewhere close by?”

Logan studied her for a few long moments. “He’s on the other side of the lake, some twenty miles of winding road from here.” In a clipped voice, he asked, “Why? You want to stop by for a visit?”

She heard masked resentment in his tone. Logan and Luke were at odds lately and it was best for her not to interfere. Though she missed Luke and hoped he was doing well, she didn’t know how he would take the news about her being in love with Logan. She’d avoided calling him and felt like a heel about it, but she didn’t know how to broach the subject about her and Logan. Everything was up in the air anyway. Sophia had no clue what the future held for them. What could she say to Luke?

I’ve moved into your house and slept with your brother.

“What I want is to be right here with you,” she said honestly.

Logan seemed satisfied with her reply. He gave a quick nod. “My brother’s doing okay.”

“I’m happy to hear that.”

The subject was dropped and dinner was served. It was the most exquisite melt-in-your-mouth meal Sophia had ever eaten—a dish with tender herb-infused sirloin strips and shi-take mushrooms along with delicately grilled then lightly fried vegetables. Summoning her bravado, she broached a question that had been on her mind. “What was your relationship like with your father after my mother and I left Sunset Ranch?”

Logan’s lips tightened and he moved his empty plate away a little more forcefully than necessary. “Why do you want to know?”

Sophia toyed with her hair, curling a loose strand around her finger. “I always wondered what happened after we left.”

Logan rubbed the underside of his chin, contemplating for a second, then gave a sigh before responding. “I hated him.”

His admission wasn’t a surprise. She’d come to understand a boy’s disillusionment over a man he’d once idolized. She could sympathize with Logan now, and feel the pain he must have endured. Her situation hadn’t been all that different in terms of the pain she’d felt over her father, although Sophia hadn’t known him. She’d been too young, but his betrayal had affected her life regardless. He’d hurt her mother and had abandoned his family. Growing up fatherless, Sophia had lived with the hurt and hatred inside for many years. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m thinking you really are,” he said, but before their eyes could hold a connection, Logan looked away.

“Do you still hate him?” Sophia spoke in a hushed tone, hoping to keep this conversation going.

Logan winced. “What difference does it make now? He’s gone.”

“Forgiveness heals.”

Logan began shaking his head. “I’m not there yet, Sophia. Let’s not be spoiling our date with this kind of talk.”

Sophia didn’t mean to push him, but she was falling deeper and deeper in love with him. She wanted everything out in the open, so they could cut a clear path together without any obstacles getting in their way. He’d asked her to change his mind, but she couldn’t do that unless he was willing to discuss painful memories. But it was obvious, tonight was not the night. “You’re right. We’ll talk of other things.”

Logan rose from his seat and announced, “We’ll have dessert out on the terrace, if that’s all right with you.”

Sophia stood. “Yes, I’d like that.”

“Good. I’m in need of fresh air.”

Logan put a hand to her waist just as she pivoted and their bodies brushed intimately. She stood inches from him, her face lifted to his. “I’m sorry, Logan. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

He moved even closer and something intense flared in his eyes. “The only thing upsetting me is not being able to touch you.”

“You’ve touched me,” she whispered.

His head angled down and he murmured softly, blowing warm breath over her ear. “Not the way I want. I’m on first-date best behavior.”

Sophia sucked oxygen into her lungs. “You get an A for effort and a big, gold star.”

His mouth hovered near hers and their breaths mingled. “I’d rather have a kiss.”

Surprised, she smiled softly but Logan didn’t wait for her permission. He took her in a leisurely kiss filled with enough delicious promise to break down all of her defenses, all of her firm resolutions.

Dessert was abandoned and they drove home quietly holding hands and sharing heated glances in the car.

When Logan escorted her into the house, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind where she would sleep tonight. Whatever this was between them, whatever Logan thought of her and however she was supposed to change his mind, she couldn’t stop the compelling magnetism that linked her to him. She couldn’t deny what seemed like her destiny.

She placed her faith in him, depending on his sense of fairness and decency. Judging by their personal history it was a giant leap for her to make.

Logan wouldn’t betray her trust, would he?

Nine

Sophia had never slept with a man on a first date, and with wry amusement she decided that waking up in Logan’s bed this morning after an incredible bout of lovemaking was worth the distinction. Making love in the tack room the other night didn’t count. At least in her sleep-groggy mind it didn’t. She rationalized that that had been an impulse born of desire and lust with no promise of the future. She’d been seduced by something far greater than her own willpower. But ever since Logan had sent her flowers and written a note claiming he was going to try, asking her out on a genuine, pull-out-all-stops kind of date, Sophia had come to conclusions that meant lowering her guard and taking a risk.

The evening had been magical for her. And when Logan actually gave her a chaste good-night kiss, attempting to keep his promise of best first-date behavior, Sophia had put a halt to the charade. She’d taken Logan’s hand and together they walked into his bedroom with no words spoken.

Now, Sophia lay sprawled out on his bed, a soft cotton sheet covering her naked body and a smile on her lips.

Logan walked into the room and whipped off her covers. “Wake up, sleepyhead.”

“Mmm,” she said, grabbing for the covers. “I’m being lazy before I have to go into work.”

“What? And leave all this?” Logan shook his head. “You’re not going into work today, honey,” he announced. “I have it all arranged.”

“I wish you weren’t kidding.”

“I’m not.” He winked and spoke with smug satisfaction. “Your meetings are postponed and Lois Benson will cover for you today. She’s in line for assistant manager and she’s eager to prove herself. Besides, I have the day planned for us.”

Sophia was beside herself with joy. She didn’t have anything pressing on her schedule today and the idea of spending the entire day with Logan was beyond appealing. “Does it involve more sleeping in this big comfy bed?”

Logan bent to land a solid kiss on her mouth. “It does involve this bed, sweetheart, I will damn well guarantee you that.”

Sophia chuckled and laid back on the mattress. But her rest was short-lived before Logan whisked her up into his arms. “First I think you need to try out my shower.”

“Are you joining me?” she asked, intrigued with the notion, kicking her legs playfully as he carried her toward the bathroom.

“Sure am. I have to show you what buttons and knobs to turn on.”

Sophia giggled and just minutes later they were soapy and steamy and covered with moisture. Logan loved her with his mouth until she was adequately tortured and fully spent. Sophia coaxed a similar response from him when she put her lips around the silky skin sheathing his manhood. The intense sound of three showerheads raining down couldn’t drown out Logan’s groans of completion. He held her tight in his arms as the water continued to cleanse them.

“You’re an amazing man,” Sophia said, her heart bursting. She’d almost told him how much she loved him then but at the last moment she held back, too unsure of his reaction.

“We are good together, Sophia,” he murmured, sprinkling kisses over her throat, her chin and her lips. She closed her eyes and held on for dear life, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

The rest of the day was spent riding mares along a stream that ran through the backwoods of Slade property, stopping for a picnic lunch near the trickling waters and making lazy, crazy love in the middle of nowhere on a blanket by the stream’s bank. It was the perfect day and later that evening when they’d returned to Sunset Ranch, they got comfortable in Logan’s bed and watched old classic Westerns. Sophia fell asleep in Logan’s arms never feeling more content.

The next week was blissful heaven. Sophia shared her mornings and nights with Logan Slade. She’d wake to kisses drizzled on her cheek from a man who was seriously dangerous to her equilibrium. They’d shower and dress, and then eat a light breakfast together before going their separate ways. Sophia poured her concentration into Sunset Lodge, working as hard as she could to prove to herself and Logan that she was capable and deserved the inheritance Randall Slade had bestowed upon her. She beamed inside and that spark kept a smile on her face through every task, every duty she took on.

Logan seemed happy, too, for the most part. But every once in a while she’d catch him in a moment when his expression would falter, as if something cold and foreboding had wrestled itself into his mind. When that happened, dreadful shivers crept up her spine.

If there was any buzz about her relationship with Logan at the ranch or Sunset Lodge, it hadn’t reached Sophia’s ears. There wasn’t much she could do about it if there was. She wasn’t going to let gossip stand in the way of what she wanted.

She never had.

On Thursday afternoon, Sophia sat at her office desk and typed in a text message to Luke. How is my friend doing today?

A couple of days ago, Sophia had decided the best way to avoid a conversation she didn’t want to have with Logan’s brother was to text him. She could use a minimum of words to ask how he was doing and those brand-new audio texting applications allowed him to answer. For a man with a broken arm and healing ribs, voice-activated texting couldn’t be beat.

She received an immediate message back. I’m healing. Feeling better every day. Miss you and the ranch.

I miss you, too, but all is well here. She punched in three smiley faces and decided that was over the top. She erased two of them, and then hit Send. Conversation over.

She was a coward. She admitted it. Logan wouldn’t tell Luke what was going on between them. It landed on Sophia’s shoulders, but it was an awkward situation to say the least. So she’d avoided the subject altogether. She was concerned for Luke, but yet her lack of courage kept her from having a real conversation with him.

The sound of Blackie’s sharp barks took her out of her deep thoughts. She got up from her desk and walked out of her office in search of the dog. She exited through the lobby doors and walked along the path toward the side of the lodge. She chuckled when she spotted Blackie jumping off the ground, all four legs in midair at once as Edward teased him with a rib bone. The dog nearly toppled the boy over trying to get to the bone.

Edward cackled with laughter and Sophia’s mood lightened. She walked up to them, and both boy and dog stopped playing.

“Hello, Edward. I see you have something Blackie wants.”

Edward looked at her shyly. She hadn’t seen the boy around for a while. “Y-yes, ma’am.”

“And hello to you, too, Blackie.”

The dog forgot about the bone, and with tail wagging, came over to her. She bent down to stroke his coat and Blackie’s head tilted to one side, his tongue hanging out in a true doggie smile. “Are you behaving yourself?”

His tail wagged faster.

“He is. He h-hasn’t come into N-Nana’s kitchen a-again ever.” Edward, always ready to come to Blackie’s defense, stuck the bone into his back pocket, out of sight of the dog for now.

“That’s good.” Sophia gave Blackie a last pat and, rising, turned her attention to the boy. “How have you been, Edward?”

He looked at her and then glanced down. “F-fine.”

“I haven’t seen you too much lately.”

“I d-don’t have any h-homework today.”

“Oh, that’s explains it, you’ve been busy studying. I used to love those days best when the teacher gave us a day off. Do you still like to hike, Edward?”

He nodded. “I go with Mr. S-Slade some-t-times.”

“I would love to hike with you, too, when school is out. Would that be all right?”

His face turned crimson and a small smile emerged. He was a sweet boy. Sophia tried her best to put him at ease and let him know she was his friend. He darted a glance toward the cottage, his eyes wide with curiosity and an unspoken question on his lips. He had to be curious why she wasn’t living there anymore. It wasn’t an easy thing to explain to a ten-year-old boy. “We’ll make plans for that hike as soon as summer starts, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Well, you and Blackie have a nice day. I just wanted to say hello to both of you. I’ll see you again soon.”

The rib bone reappeared and Edward gave it a toss. Sophia put her hand over her brows, shadowing her eyes from the blazing sunlight as she watched Blackie digging in, outrunning Edward in a race for his treat.

Seeing the boy was a nice diversion, a break in the long day she’d needed. She had two hours left of work before she would see Logan again and she would count the minutes.

As she made her way along the flowery path to the lodge’s entrance she stopped short when a black stretch limousine caught her eye. It pulled to stop under the portico and a chauffeur dressed in a tan uniform got out.

A gasp escaped her as memories rushed through her mind. She recognized that limo with the famous script G emblazoned on the side doors. The driver opened the passenger door and two men exited. One was the deadly handsome cowboy she loved and the other was her older, distinguished, wealthy ex-husband, Gordon Gregory. He was medium height, blue-eyed and not bad-looking for an older man, wrinkles and all. He dressed impeccably and had a full head of silver hair.

Seeing the two men together made her heart pound. One man might be her future—the other was her past. She took a big swallow and stood there immobilized, looking to Logan first. His expression was unreadable. Gordon, on the other hand, smiled.

Darn, this was the last thing she needed. She and Logan were working things out and becoming closer. How would he react seeing her ex-husband and being reminded of the worst thing he’d thought about her?

“Hello, my beautiful Sophia.” Gordon’s possessive tone made her uneasy.

Logan slid him a disapproving look.

“Hello, Gordon. What are you doing here?”

“He came to buy a stallion,” Logan said through tight lips. “We’ve just had a good talk.”

Sophia’s face flamed and she cringed inside. Had they been talking about her? When she’d married Gordon it had been out of desperate need. He’d been wonderful and kind in the beginning and so grateful about his granddaughter that she’d thought she was doing the right thing for her mother when she’d married him. She’d fooled herself into thinking she could come to love him in time. He’d promised her a marriage with no strings attached. Maybe she’d been a little naive to actually believe that, but at the time, Sophia hadn’t been looking to the future. She’d been focused on the present and the best way to help her mother. Shortly after her mother passed away, Gordon’s expectations had changed and so had his attitude. He’d come on strong in the guise of helping her grieve for Louisa. And one night he’d blurted that his debt to her had been paid in full. They were on even ground now and it was time for Sophia to start acting like a wife to him. He’d boxed her into a corner and there was only one way out that she could see. She’d ended the marriage.

“I couldn’t stop by Sunset Ranch and not come by for a visit,” he went on. “Logan here was kind enough to show me to the lodge. I’d like a private word with you, my dear. Now would be a good time.”

She felt Logan’s eyes on her as he spoke firmly to Gordon. “Only if it’s a good time for Sophia. Is it?”

The older man’s brows flew up and he chuckled. “I see. She’s got you under her spell already. I can’t really blame you. She’s quite a woman. You should have seen her on that chorus line. She was a standout, destined to become a headliner.”

Sophia’s stomach began to ache. Gordon’s appearance here threatened to undermine the reputation she’d tried to live down with Logan. “I have a few minutes, Gordon.”

“Fine, fine.” When Gordon reached for Sophia’s arm, Logan stepped between them and faced her, turning his back on the older man. “Are you sure you have time for this guy?” he asked her. “I could care less about the sale of the stallion.”

Sophia wanted to kiss him for intervening, for making sure Gordon didn’t lay a hand on her. Especially since, for all Logan knew, Sophia had been intimate with the older man. “I’m sure.”

Logan nodded, and for a second she noted a hint of accusation in his eyes. “I’ll see you later.”

“I’ll be there,” she whispered softly before turning to Gordon. “We can talk in my office.”

She led the way, keeping one step ahead of him. Once she climbed the steps to the entrance, she opened the door and turned. Logan stood grounded to the spot, his gaze keen and sharp, missing nothing.

There’s nothing to see, Logan. No great conspiracy. No gold-digging.

Sophia walked with her chin high and her mind reeling. Why on earth was Gordon here? She entered her office and settled behind her desk, pointing to a chair. “Please have a seat.”

The elderly man lowered himself with regal authority. “You’ve moved on, Sophia. I take it you’ve snagged that rich cowboy and convinced him to let you run this place.”

“Actually, you and I both know I inherited half ownership of Sunset Lodge. I’m sure you’ve done your homework, Gordon. And I doubt a man like Logan Slade would allow anyone to snag him,” she added.

“Ah, but if a woman could do it, it would be you,” he said.

That just showed how little Gordon really knew about the situation. Logan had tried to bribe her to get her to leave the ranch just weeks ago.

“How is Amanda?”

He seemed pleased that she’d asked. “My granddaughter is doing very well. She lost a year of high school during that crazy time, but she’s on the right road now. She’ll be starting college in the fall.”

Sophia’s heart warmed. Amanda had been a mixed-up kid who’d needed guidance in her life and some professional counseling. Sophia was glad to have helped her see that her life was worth salvaging. “I’m glad to hear it. Please give her my best.”

“I will.”

“What can I help you with?” She tilted her head, still curious why he’d shown up here. She knew darn well buying a horse wasn’t the only reason. That had been the excuse.

He smiled again, his eyes crinkling heavily at the corners. “I came to buy a stallion and I have, but I’m also here to honor a promise I made to Louisa.”

At the mention of her mother’s name, Sophia’s shoulders slumped and she was struck with immediate sadness. All of the brassiness she’d summoned to deal with Gordon disappeared. “Wh-what promise?”

“To make sure you were all right. To make sure you were safe. You see, your mother may have pretended not to know how sick she was, but she knew. We would have candid talks about it. Louisa and I had actually become very close in the end. She never wanted you to worry. She knew you had enough to deal with. You marrying me gave your mother peace of mind.”

She’d hoped so. With her whole heart, she had truly hoped so. Sophia closed her eyes, momentarily absorbing the truth of his words. Her mother always pretended to feel better than she actually felt to ease Sophia’s mind. She’d been a trouper about her treatments and always tried to put a smile on her face even when her health had begun to decline. Sophia wished she could be as strong and capable and caring a woman as her mother had been.

“I think she would’ve liked you to stay married to me,” Gordon said.

“I might have, if you hadn’t pressured me.”

“I was very patient with you, Sophia. I was good to you.”

“Yes, I can’t deny that. You were very good to my mother and me.”

“So can you blame me for wanting a real wife? Your mother was gone, God rest her soul, and you were safe, away from a stalker’s threats. I figured—”

“I’d owe you?”

“No, Sophia. I had hoped you’d have real affection for me.”

“I appreciate everything you did for me, but contrary to what some might believe, I can’t be bought. You put pressure on me shortly after my mother died and made me very uncomfortable. Gordon, you’re not a man who takes no lightly. You pressed me until I had no choice but to walk away.”