The Rancher's Doorstep Baby. Patricia Thayer

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      Rachel had learned a long time ago that tears didn’t help anything. They hadn’t stopped people she loved from leaving her. Now, she was alone. She had no husband, no family to help her through this rough time. All she had was the ranch, and her own determination to keep it.

      She changed into her nightgown and robe, then went into the bathroom and washed her face. She still needed to clean up the supper dishes.

      Rachel went downstairs and walked through the large living room. The hardwood floors gleamed with polish, but an old rug in front of the barren fireplace was worn, as was the furniture. This was her home. She just had to think of a way to hold on to it, despite the lawyer’s dismal picture of her financial future.

      She walked through the dining room, then into the kitchen. She stopped when she saw Cole standing at the sink, his sleeves rolled up and his hands buried in dishwater.

      A blush quickly spread over her cheeks. She didn’t want to deal with anyone tonight, especially Cole. For a second she wanted to turn around and flee, but she lost that chance when he glanced over his shoulder and saw her.

      For a moment they just stared at each other. His gray eyes locked with hers and she couldn’t seem to take a breath.

      He cocked his head, causing his inky-black hair to fall across his forehead. “Well, don’t just stand there, grab a towel.”

      She managed to snap out of her trance. “You shouldn’t be doing those.” She went to his side, surprised when he didn’t step aside.

      “It’s not a problem,” he said as he rinsed the flatware, and placed them in the dish drainer. “I discovered it’s a good way to clean the dirt from under your fingernails. You can dry.”

      “But this isn’t your job.”

      He stopped and glared at her. “Why not? Haven’t I seen you climb on a horse and help round up cows? Let’s not split hairs here, Rachel. Besides, my hands are already wet.”

      Reluctantly she picked up the towel on the counter.

      Cole had hoped to be finished before she came back downstairs. He hadn’t wanted to end up in this situation with the house quiet and Rachel Hewitt dressed in a nightgown and robe, her long silky hair flowing down her back. He felt the heat move over his skin just because she was near. She made him remember what he tried so hard to forget. What he’d lost so long ago.

      “I’m sorry about earlier,” Rachel began, her voice husky. “Cy means well…”

      Cole put a plate into the water, recalling how he’d almost gone upstairs and checked on her, but realized he’d be playing with fire.

      Eighteen months ago, he’d made a couple of rules for himself. Not to get involved, especially with a woman like Rachel, and not to hang around any one place for long. He’d already broken one rule, and had no intention of breaking another.

      He shrugged. “It’s none of my business.” The less he knew about her, the easier it would be to walk away.

      “You still had to be uncomfortable. For that, I’m sorry.”

      “You and Cy are like family. I know he cares about you. He’s just worried about you running this ranch by yourself. It’s a big job.”

      She raised her pretty chin. “I’ve managed so far.”

      He rinsed another glass. “Is there any other family member that might be willing to help out?”

      She shook her head as she stacked a plate on the counter. “My father didn’t have any family.”

      Cole knew what it felt like to love someone and have them walk out of your life…for good. The tightness in his chest told him he was getting too close to memories, and the past that he desperately fought to keep buried. He pushed away the threatening emotions.

      “Then we’ll have to find someone you can trust to help run this place.”

      “I can’t pay that much,” she offered. “My father didn’t save a lot. There’s not enough to pay a decent salary. At least we did well with the sale of the spring calves, so the mortgage is paid ahead.”

      Cole knew that a lawyer, Lloyd Montgomery, controlled the money. But dammit, you couldn’t run a ranch from a desk in town. Not even when you owned the neighboring property.

      Don’t get involved in this, Cole told himself. You’re leaving at the end of the week. “There are other ways to make the ranch pay off.” Finished with the dishes, he wiped his hands on the towel. “There are thousands of dollars to be made by allowing hunters on your property. You should think about it.”

      She nodded. “Father never shared much of the ranch business with me, and as you already know, I don’t have control…yet. That will change soon. So lately, I’ve been going over things, trying to learn my way. Lloyd Montgomery thinks I should sell it all.”

      Cole frowned. “Why is that?”

      “He doesn’t think I can deal with everything myself.”

      Cole snickered. “What does he think you’ve been doing the last few years, having a picnic?”

      That brought a smile to her face and his breath caught in his chest. She was strikingly beautiful and she had no idea.

      “I’ll need to do something to supplement my income, or I could lose it all.” She was silent for a few seconds, then she said, “I was going over things in my father’s office and found a letter from a windmill company that asked about leasing some land.” Her large eyes locked with his. “When you have some time, would you look at the letter?”

      “I guess it wouldn’t hurt.” He glanced at his watch. “How about now?”

      Rachel set down her towel and together they walked through the house into a small office off the living room. A large desk took up most of the area, and like the rest of the place it was clean and orderly.

      Rachel went to the file cabinet and took out a manila folder. She removed a letter and handed it to Cole.

      He glanced at the letterhead. It was from 21^st Century Windmill Company, located in San Angelo, Texas. The letter stated that the company had already done a survey of the Bar H’s land and found that the rocky ridge mesa was ideal for windmills. Cole knew the area. It wasn’t much good for anything else, not even cattle. The company had requested an agreement to use the land.

      “Has your lawyer made any contact with them?” He glanced through the folder and found nothing else.

      She shook her head. “No. I found this in the wastepaper basket. I don’t think Monty thought the idea was a good one. What do you think?”

      He didn’t want to sway her, but he didn’t understand why good old Monty had ignored what seemed to be a decent money-making idea. “It wouldn’t hurt to listen to what they have to say. In a few weeks you’ll take over the ranch, so why not just wait until then?”

      “So, СКАЧАТЬ