Rich, Rugged Ranchers

“Th-thank you for driving me home,” she said through tight lips that didn’t want to form the words. “And for … for helping me tonight.”

He gave her a quick nod.

Sophia turned away from him then, feeling mixed up inside. She closed her eyes to the sound of Logan’s footsteps fading away. There was no fond farewell from him. No “I hope you feel better,” and no “Call me if you need my help again.” It was a chilling reminder for her not to let down her guard with Logan. He would fool her time and time again, if she allowed it.

The front door opened and closed, and then he was gone.

Only then did Sophia realize that Logan Slade had his own key to the cottage.

He could barge in on her anytime he wanted.

Four

Constance Branford offered Sophia a lemon poppy seed muffin with strawberry filling. She’d briefly met the lodge’s head cook yesterday on her tour with Ruth, and now Sophia sat beside her at a long country oak table, the only piece of furniture in the lodge’s spotless stainless-steel kitchen that wasn’t updated and brand-new. “Oh, no thanks, Constance. I couldn’t possibly.”

Edward’s nana withdrew the basket. To avoid insulting the chef, Sophia quickly explained, “I had my first encounter with Kickin’s chili last night. My stomach is still touchy.”

Constance made a tsking sound. “That’s not food,” she said with a shake of her head. “I don’t know why the men go there. Edward’s been hounding me to let him eat there, but it’s not for a young one’s stomach. He’ll just have to wait.”

Sophia smiled. The head chef certainly had her ideas about what constituted a good meal. “Apparently, it’s not for my stomach, either. I should stick to the lodge’s food.” She took in the broad range of pastries, biscuits and muffins set out and ready to be served. Behind them, two sous chefs were busy chopping up vegetables and preparing batters. She thought about how Blackie had made off with the spatula right under Constance’s nose and how Edward had offered her his apology. The boy had taken Sophia’s advice. Right in the middle of the table in a clear mason jar sat a small bouquet of wildflowers, picked straight from the fields outside the lodge.

“Your grandson is a nice boy,” Sophia said.

“He’s mischievous, like any ten-year-old, but yes, a good boy. He’s had a rough time without his parents.” Constance, whose eyes brightened when speaking of Edward, didn’t fit the mold of a white-haired, rocking-chair nana at all. The astute, intelligent woman who ran the lodge’s kitchen was quite capable, but there was an underlying current of sadness in her expression, too.

“I know something about losing a parent. It’s never easy, but with a child …”

Constance shook her head. “Edward’s parents aren’t dead.”

Sophia blinked.

“My son and his wife have drug addictions. It got really bad and the first seven years of Edward’s life were tumultuous. They left Edward with me, and I have legal custody.”

“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.” Sophia had experience with her father’s addiction but poor Edward had to live through that turmoil with both of his parents. At least for Sophia, she’d been blessed with a loving mother to raise her, but the boy hadn’t been so lucky. Perhaps the resulting trauma was responsible for his speech problems.

“The best thing those two ever did was to hand over his custody to me without putting up a fight. They knew Edward would be better off with me. I’m doing the best I can to give him a stable home.”

“Sunset Ranch is the best place for that. I grew up on the ranch and loved living here as a child.”

“I agree. And Logan has been kind to Edward, giving him responsibilities on the ranch to make my grandson feel needed. Letting him take care of Blackie was a very good idea.”

Logan again? Why did everyone think the man a saint? But in this case, Sophia couldn’t begrudge his kindness to the boy. “Boys and dogs go hand in hand.”

Constance glanced at her watch. “He should be back from walking the dog soon. He gets up early on school days to feed and walk Blackie.”

“Shall we go over this month’s menus now, before he gets here?”

“Certainly. Can you handle coffee?”

“It smells delicious.” She stroked her tender stomach that was begging for something warm and comforting. “I would love some.”

Constance poured them both a cup and they got down to business. Sophia had some ideas for a summery theme for next month’s menu. But she had to be delicate about making suggestions. Stepping into Ruth’s shoes, and trying to make changes this early on, could ruffle feathers. Even so, Sophia was determined to have a hand in everything going on at Sunset Ranch. She remembered her mother’s prowess and how involved she’d been with every aspect of the lodge.

Ten minutes later after a productive conversation with Constance, Edward walked through the kitchen doors, wearing a backpack and a shy smile. Sophia waved at him as he shuffled his way over to his nana.

“Edward,” Constance said, “have you fed and walked Blackie already?”

He nodded and slipped Sophia a guilty glance. She reassured him with a friendly smile that said their little secret was safe, not that she’d ever tattle on the boy to Logan about their encounter yesterday, or anything for that matter. “Hello, Edward. Good to see you again.”

“Hi.”

“Is your lunch in your backpack?” Constance asked.

Again, he nodded.

“Okay then, off you go. You don’t want to be late for the bus.” Constance took his hand and walked him to the door. He reached up to give his nana a big hug, Constance squeezing him tight and kissing his forehead before letting him go. “Have a good day at school, sweetie.”

Right before he strode out the door, he turned to Sophia and gave her a wide smile. “G-goodbye.”

Touched by the boy’s consideration, she tipped her head. “Bye, Edward.”

Sophia finished her coffee and concluded her business with Constance, bidding her farewell and walking away from the kitchen’s savory scents. In the well-designed lobby, her heels clicked on the stone floors as she headed toward her office. She still had difficulty believing that she owned any part of these elegantly rustic surroundings, yet each morning before she got out of bed, she reminded herself that half of the lodge belonged to her.

Luke appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, and walked alongside her. “Mornin’. Hey, can I speak with you a sec?”

“Good morning, Luke. I was going to call you this morning. How did your horse do last night?”

“She’s gonna be okay. It was a tough delivery, but she managed. Her foal is real fine. You have to come see her.”

“I will. You must be relieved.”

“Surely am, but I think the mare might’ve struggled less than you did last night. I heard you had it rough after I left Kickin’.”

“Oh,” she said, her shoulders slumping. She wasn’t thrilled she’d been the topic of discussion between the two brothers. Logan must have spilled all the beans with glee. “I see your brother told you I didn’t handle the Number Three well.”

Luke’s face twisted with self-recrimination. “I should have never brought you there.”

“Oh, no. It’s not your fault. I should’ve known better. This has been a trying week for me, coming back here and dealing with all the changes in my life. Next time I’ll do better.”

“Next time? Honey, if you think I’m taking you back anytime soon—”

“I’m going back, Luke. One day.”

His shoulders lifted in a dismissive shrug. “I’m just grateful that Logan was there to help you.”

“Yes, your brother is my knight in shining armor,” she grumbled quietly.

Luke threw his head back and laughed. Then she found humor in it, too, and laughed along with him. He took her arm and steered her out the front door. They strode along the length of the veranda and stood with the morning light to their backs as late spring sunshine warmed the air on a blue-sky day. Luke looked left then right, as if making sure they were alone. Whatever was on his mind today, he wanted a private conversation.

“I have an idea,” he began. “Ruth’s official last day of work is coming up. I’d like to throw her a surprise retirement party.”

“That’s nice of you, Luke. I’m sure she’d appreciate it.”

“I’d like to do it at the house rather than the lodge. You know, get her out of the work environment. I was thinking out back, in our yard. Logan’s thinking it’s a good idea, too. The weather’s been really nice at night.”

“Go on.” Sophia suspected that Luke was hinting that she be a part of his scheme, somehow.

“The thing is, Ruth usually coordinated our parties at the lodge, and well … I can’t really ask her to do it. What I know about throwing a party can fit in my pinkie finger.” He raised a work-roughened, rodeo-injured little finger.

So that was it. “You want my help?”

He fixed his gaze on her and shrugged. “I would love your help.”

Sophia didn’t have to think twice. “Of course.”

Luke sighed with relief. “Great. You don’t know how much I appreciate it. Funny, but I trust you more than the event planner we’ve used in the past. I want to make this special for Ruth.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“It’s not too much for you? You did just arrive. You have a new home and new job to settle into.” Concern washed over his features as if he’d just realized what he was asking of her.

“I’m sure I can handle it. How many guests are we talking about here?”

“Probably sixty? We’d invite all the employees, although some will have to split shifts in order to stop by. There’s several loyal patrons who have known Ruth from the beginning, and then there’s her family. I’d like her grandkids to be invited, too.”

“Okay. I could probably put that together. You want this to be a surprise?”

He glanced away for a second toward the pasture. “Yeah, I think so. Ruth wouldn’t let us go to any fuss if she knew about it.”

“I understand.”

“Are you available tonight to go over the details? I’ll bring dinner. No spice, no chili peppers, I promise.”

Sophia was available every night. She had no hot dates, no friends other than Luke to hang out with, and putting together a party for Ruth would help her get to know the employees better, anyway. It was win-win. “Seven o’clock?”

“I’ll be there.”

Luke released a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Soph.” He leaned forward to kiss her cheek chastely then smiled at her. “You’re a lifesaver.”

The knock came precisely at seven o’clock. Sophia’s appetite had surged back to life this afternoon, and she was ready to share a delicious bland meal with a good friend. She had the table set for two and her laptop ready for the work they’d do on the retirement party. Sophia padded barefoot to the door, dressed comfortably in black capri pants and a white tank top tied at the side of her waist.

She opened the door with flair, eager for the company, and did an immediate double take, shaking her head and blinking.

“You’re eyes aren’t deceiving you.” The comment spilled from Logan’s tight lips. “It’s not your pal Luke.”

Sophia stared at the man standing on her doorstep. Her heart did a little flip. Her initial reaction to him still baffled her. Why was she so susceptible to him? He wasn’t anything special, she reasoned. But then again, Sophia couldn’t lie to herself. He was special in the ways that mattered to most women—smart, handsome, capable, kind to almost everyone else on the planet but her. And he was standing on her threshold with enough confidence to fill an arena. “What are you doing here?”

It wasn’t the most mannerly greeting in the world. Even though her body reacted to Logan, she wasn’t ready for another round of sparring. She’d looked forward to being with her friend this evening.

“There’s been an accident. Luke’s in the hospital.”

Shocked, she gasped noisily as her hand flew to her chest. “Oh, my God. What happened?”

“A feisty stallion got loose this afternoon at the barn and Luke lost his footing trying to contain him. He was knocked down, and Trib nailed him good with both front hooves.”

“Oh, no! How is he?”

“He’s got three broken ribs, one broken arm and a concussion.”

“I’m so sorry. Oh, poor Luke.” Sophia’s heart ached hearing the news about her friend.

“Luke’s pretty tough, but all those rodeo injuries are surfacing again. He got hit pretty hard.”

“Where is he?”

“Carson City Memorial.”

“Can I see him?”

He shook his head. “The doctors sent me home. I’ve been with him all afternoon. He can’t have any visitors tonight. They want him to rest. Someone will be observing him during the night for the concussion. With luck, they’ll send him home tomorrow or the next day. He’s going to be laid up for a while though.”

Sophia realized she’d kept Logan out on the front porch. “Come in.” She turned around and took a few steps into the parlor. “I’m so surprised.” She’d wished Logan had called her from the hospital. She would’ve dropped everything to see Luke, but wishing for Logan to do anything for her was futile.

Logan followed her inside, his boot heels scraping against the floor. “Trib’s a hard case and may be just as hardheaded as Luke. He’s called Tribute in front of prospective buyers, but when they’re out of hearing range we call him Tribulation. He’s a grief maker. Of course, Luke’s not blaming the dang horse. He blames himself for getting in the way.”

Sophia turned to Logan, noticing for the first time that he held a white take-out bag.

“I feel terrible,” she said.

“Your stomach aching again?”

“No, my stomach’s fine. I feel bad for Luke. He doesn’t deserve this.”

“It was a freakish thing. Luke never lets a horse get the best of him. Nothing like this has happened before on the ranch.”

“But he’s going to be all right?” The thought of Luke in pain saddened her but she held back tears and told herself that Luke was strong and would probably heal quickly. At least, that was her rationalization. It was a small wonder that Logan hadn’t blamed her for bringing Luke bad luck. And a small part of her wondered if that weren’t truly the case. Luke befriends her and he winds up in the hospital. It was crazy to even consider it, yet Sophia couldn’t deny the flash of guilt forcing its way into her thoughts.

“Yeah, eventually. He should make a full recovery.”

“That’s good news,” she blurted. She couldn’t hide her feelings. She cared about Luke.

Logan glanced at her with narrowed eyes, his mouth twitching, but whatever he was about to say to her he let drop. He strode past her and entered the kitchen. She followed him and watched as he removed items from the bag, placing them on the counter. “What’s that?”

“Our dinner.”

Any fool could see and smell the food he was arranging in the kitchen, but she never expected Logan to make the delivery and offer to eat with her. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t be surprised. Was I supposed to argue with my brother about this?” He turned to her with recrimination in his eyes. “He made me promise to bring you dinner and work with you on Ruth’s retirement party.”

The air bottled up inside her lungs drained out. She was speechless.

“In fact, you and I are gonna have to pick up the slack at the lodge. Luke will be out of commission for a good long time.”

Sophia walked to the counter, looking at the two dishes of pasta primavera Logan had taken out of the bag. Crusty Italian bread and a salad were also sitting on the counter.

“Meaning, we’re going to have to work together from now on?”

Logan nodded, not looking happy about the prospect.

“He made you promise to be civil to me?”

Logan shrugged a shoulder. “Like I said, I’m not arguing with my brother when he’s laid up.”

“If you don’t pull any more Ruth Polanskis on me, we might just manage working together.”

Logan held back a devilish grin, but she saw the triumph in his eyes.

“Do we have a deal? For Luke’s sake?” she asked, her hand on one tilted hip. She did not approve of Logan’s smug look, no matter how hard he tried to conceal it.

Once again, Logan narrowed his eyes and gave her body a long leisurely sweeping appraisal. When he did that, Sophia felt as if he were devouring her whole. It took him a few seconds, but he finally agreed with a sharp nod. “For Luke’s sake.”

Sophia stared at him for a moment and sighed silently. They needed to eat quickly and get to work but she couldn’t resist asking, “Did he also tell you what food to bring?”

Logan’s mouth twitched again. This time she might have actually insulted him, but he took it in stride.

“No, I thought it up all by myself.”

Okay, she thought, I’ll play nice. She was hungry and ready for food that wouldn’t knock her socks off. “Looks delicious.”

Logan gave her the once-over again, his gaze fastening on the three inch-strip of exposed skin at her waist. “Yep, can’t argue with that.”

Sophia bit her tongue, holding back from giving him a piece of her mind. She had a better way of getting even with him. She wasn’t forgetting about his ploy regarding Ruth Polanski. His scorching-hot gaze aside, she would have to show him that she wasn’t easy prey.

They sat eating quietly in her small alcove off the kitchen. The linens were soft and white, the flowers wild from the pasture, the glasses sparkling under the fading light. Sophia was well aware of the handsome, uncompromising man sitting across the table from her. He’d brought a lovely meal seasoned mildly so that it went down easily and soothed her tender tummy. He’d also brought his underlying anger with him. It was a given, but Sophia wouldn’t let that stop her from gobbling up everything on her plate. She’d played it safe and hadn’t put food in her stomach for nearly twenty-four hours and now she was looking for seconds.

Logan rose from the table and brought over the container of food. She scooped a few more spoonfuls onto her own plate, watching him as he held it. This was strangely nice.

Maybe Logan had the need to control every situation. Coming here to tell her about the accident had been done on his terms, not hers. He could have called her to explain about Luke. He could have alerted her that he would be coming by for dinner. Instead he chose to show up at her door unannounced.

As if reading her mind, he set down his fork and commented, “I never thought I’d be sitting in this kitchen, having dinner with you.”

“Boggles the mind. Our second meal together in two nights.” Sophia gave him a sweet smile, refusing to be intimidated.

“Let’s not make a habit of this.” He surveyed the rooms in his line of vision—the kitchen, parlor and hallway that led to the bedrooms. “I don’t care for this place.”

“The place is wonderful. It’s me you don’t care for. So just be honest about it.”

Logan sipped water from his glass, and then eyed her carefully. “My brother kissed you today.”

Sophia’s radar went up. She’d promised herself she would be on guard around Logan, but now he’d dropped another bomb on her that she hadn’t expected. “Did he tell you that?”

Logan glanced at her lips, and then lifted his lids to look her squarely in the eyes. “I was at the lodge this morning.”

“So you saw Luke give me an innocent kiss and what?”

“Maybe I don’t think anything about you is innocent.”

Sophia’s stomach began to ache, not from the food but from the conversation. Darn him for creating more turmoil in her belly. Logan liked playing judge and jury. In his mind, he’d already convicted her of a half-dozen crimes. “And why is that?”

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“So now I’m a cliché to you, Logan? I’ve already told you if you’re comparing me to my mother, it’s a compliment. She was a wonderful woman. I only wish I could be more like her.”

“Yeah, well, I used to want to be like my father. Blind worship doesn’t work. Sooner or later, you find out that the person you thought you knew wasn’t that person at all.”

It was pointless to argue with him. Sophia didn’t want to spend her time defending herself or her mother. Logan’s mind was made up and nothing she could say would change that. Even though she knew the truth about her mother and his father, he would never believe her. He didn’t trust her, and she was through trying to gain that trust from him. Through trying to prove herself to him. The only thing she cared about was doing a good job at the lodge and proving to herself that she was worthy of Randall Slade’s generosity.

“I’m sorry, Logan. It must have been a big blow for you to learn your father wasn’t perfect. Most of us aren’t, you know.”

She rose from her seat and came over to his side of the table, brushing his shoulder to reach for his plate. Her long tresses flowed onto his lap as she brought her face inches from his. He smelled of earth, rawhide and musk, and her breathing quickened as their eyes met. He was a beautiful man who hated her, but right now, she saw desire darken his eyes and that did amazing, warm things to her sensitive belly. She was close enough that if she stumbled, she’d be lap dancing with Logan. The image didn’t amuse her as much as it made her lust. She whispered gently, blowing her breath over his lips, playing the vixen he thought she was, “I’ll clean this up, and then we’ll get right to work so you won’t have to stay any longer than necessary.”

He stared at her, their gazes locked and then his hand touched the ribbon of exposed skin at her waist. Her breath caught in her throat and her senses heightened as he splayed his fingers along the hem of her shirt. It was unexpected magic. Sophia relished the feel of him touching her. She didn’t flinch or budge a muscle when Logan moved his hand in a soft caress that traveled back and forth over her midriff. She closed her eyes, mental goose bumps erupting in her mind. There was a connection between them, something raw and elemental and basic that defied logic or scrutiny. When he touched her, she reacted.

He made the tug that landed her on his lap and now the lap dance didn’t seem so far off, didn’t seem so outlandish in her mind. She felt the strength of his legs beneath her, the power of the hand that held her in place, while the other hand continued to make her body tingle.

She knew she shouldn’t allow him this touch. She shouldn’t allow him to get the upper hand again, but she was powerless to stop him. She craved the warmth and the thrill of Logan’s caress. He managed to loosen the knotted fabric at her waist and she waited, filled with unabashed desire. He took a big swallow, his throat working while his hand slid underneath her top. Inch by inch, he moved his palm up her torso. Her nipples puckered in anticipation. The pulse between her legs throbbed. It was exquisite and sensual. She hadn’t been with a man in years, not like this. The idea of Logan taking liberties with her body shocked her mind, but her body gave him all he wanted.

She arched her back, and wiggled slightly on his lap. His fingers pushed her bra down and her ample breasts spilled out. They were full, sensitized, and she waited for his touch. When it finally came she jerked slightly from the beautiful sensation. He palmed one breast, then the other, and a groan escaped from the depths of his throat. She murmured with pleasure, and squeezed her legs tight when his thumb rubbed over her nipple.

The pleasure was ripe and fresh and so greatly welcomed, but Sophia had to put a stop to this. She wouldn’t give in to Logan. She couldn’t give in to what they both craved. He would only turn it against her and make her life at Sunset Ranch unbearable. She didn’t trust him. And she owed him for hurting her all those years ago.

Her breaths coming as heavy as his, she brought her hands to his face and leaned in close. This had to be her idea. When he tried to meet her lips, she pulled back a little, making sure he knew kissing him was her idea. This had to be her choice, her decision and on her terms.