The Rancher's Housekeeper. Rebecca Winters

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СКАЧАТЬ headed home with his mind made up about what he wanted to do. Before he parked the truck, his headlights shone on the big ponderosa further down the drive.

       Her bike was gone.

      At ten to six, Geena rode into the full-service gas station in Sundance. She was glad the dog hadn’t heard her leave the ranch house. While Mr. Brannigan was still asleep, she’d been able to slip away unnoticed and get going. Her problem now was to wait it out until someone came to open the station so she could get a drink and use the restroom.

      There were several piles of rubber tires stacked outside the bay doors. She propped her bike against one. Since no one was there, she pulled down two tires and sat on them while she rested against the pile. Once she’d covered herself with her space blanket, she was able to relax and plan out her day.

      Her first destination would be the library. She’d scan the want ads online and find a job. If she ate only two meals a day and bought her food at the grocery store, she ought to stay afloat for a little while longer.

      Tonight she’d sleep at the YWCA. She’d passed it yesterday on her way to the bike shop. In fact, en route to the library, she’d go over there and reserve a cot before they reached their quota for the day.

      When it got to be seven-fifteen, she rolled off the tires and put them back, then walked her bike over to the restroom and rested it against the wall to wait. Pretty soon a man drove in and opened up the office. She said hello and followed him inside to get a soft drink. He went around and unlocked the restroom for her.

      Once she’d used the facility, she opened the door, only to find her bike was gone! Geena had been in there only a minute. Frantic because of her loss, she raced around to the front, thinking she’d catch the culprit before he could get away.

      “Relax, Geena.”

      At the sound of the deep, familiar voice, she swung around to face a clean-shaven Colt Brannigan standing at the side of the dark blue truck she’d seen parked outside the ranch house. His hard-boned features were shadowed beneath his black cowboy hat. This morning he was wearing a blue-and-green plaid shirt that covered his well-defined chest. Hip-hugging jeans molded to his powerful thighs.

      Her thighs, in fact the whole length of her legs, wobbled just looking at him.

      She’d never seen a sight like him and had the conviction she never would again, no matter how long she lived. When she’d left the ranch earlier, she’d determined to put all thoughts of him out of her mind. Geena had survived prison by shutting off her feelings. Surely she could do it again while she made a new life for herself, but this man was unforgettable.

      “I was afraid someone would steal your bike, so I put it in the back of my truck for safekeeping.”

      Geena’s heart was still racing too fast. She knew her upset over the stolen bike wasn’t the only reason she couldn’t seem to quell its tempo. Nervousness caused her to rub damp palms against her jeans-clad hips. “What are you doing here?”

      He took a step toward her. “When I saw your bike was missing, I figured I’d find you in town. We have unfinished business this morning.”

      “Before I left, I put a thank-you note and a twenty-dollar bill on the kitchen table.”

      “I read it.”

      “I wish it were twenty times as much money. Last night I felt like a pampered princess. You could have no idea what it did for my spirits.”

      “I’m gratified to hear it.” The way his gaze penetrated as he stared at her made her all fluttery inside. She folded her arms across her chest, not knowing how to contain her emotions.

      “Most people wouldn’t give a person like me the time of day. Last night at your hands I was treated to a taste of heaven. I won’t forget. You’re one in a million.”

      “You give me too much credit.” The truth came out in a raspy voice. “Last night I couldn’t restrain myself from looking on line to read the news articles about your imprisonment. They said you were supposed to be serving a sixty-year sentence for a capital one murder.”

      Geena eyed him calmly. “In that case I’m astounded you’d let a convicted killer stay through the night. Did you think I’d taken off with some of those authentic Sioux valuables and that’s why you’re here waiting to catch me with the goods? Or is it simply a question of morbid curiosity? You’re welcome to search my backpack.” She handed it to him.

      His eyes narrowed before taking it. “If I’d thought you were untrustworthy, I would have driven you to town last night and dropped you off at the nearest shelter.”

      She had trouble breathing. “The housekeeping position hasn’t been filled yet, has it?”

      “No.”

      “I didn’t think so. Thanks for being honest about that.”

      Colt didn’t respond to her comment. Instead he opened her backpack and eventually drew out a brown envelope. She watched him reach inside and produce the certificate she’d read over and over again during her bus ride from Pierre, unable to believe she was free.

      He studied it before his head reared. “Why didn’t you show me this last night?”

      “Because you told me the job had been filled. I didn’t question it. You were incredibly kind to have brought me into the ranch house to sleep. In truth I was deathly tired last night.”

      “I noticed,” he murmured.

      “Before I fell asleep, I couldn’t decide why you’d been so good to me. Was it out of an inborn sense of guilt and duty to one of your fellow creatures less fortunate than you? Or possibly even a modicum of faith in mankind? Whatever sentiment drove you, your mother would be proud of you. Now I’m afraid I have to get going to find a job.”

      He put everything back in her pack and handed it to her. “If you’re still interested, I’m offering you the position of housekeeper. For a temporary period,” he emphasized.

      A small cry escaped her throat. Maybe she was hallucinating. “When did you make that decision?”

      “After you went to bed last night, I called Warden James. Before I could ask her any questions, she told me you’d been exonerated and hoped you’d be able to find a job soon.”

      A tremor shook her body while she absorbed the revelation. “So—”

      “So you see—” he interrupted her. “My mother wouldn’t have been proud of me. In her mind, half a loaf doesn’t cut it.”

      The blood pounded in her ears. “It cut it for me, so don’t beat yourself. If I’d been in your shoes, I would have phoned the prison, too.” She bit her lip. “Even if I’m innocent, why are you willing to take a chance on me?”

      He put his hands on his hips, the ultimate male stance. “Besides your work ethic in prison which the warden praised, anyone who went through all you did yesterday to get the job deserves a chance. I came close to offering it to you before you went to bed, but the niggling thought that I’d seen or heard of you before propelled me to look on the internet first.”

      She paced a little, then stopped. “It was a hideous crime done СКАЧАТЬ