Her Rugged Rancher Read Online Free Page B

if his fingers followed suit. The rough skin of his hands sliding along her skin would stir her senses, all right. Just thinking about it made goose bumps erupt along the backs of her arms.
    He said, “I doubt that would’ve ever happened.”
    She grunted with amusement. “Which part do you doubt? Me being an old maid? Or getting in the way?”
    â€œBoth.”
    â€œYou’re being kind.”
    â€œI’m never kind,” he said gruffly. “Just realistic.”
    Yes, she could see that much about him. A practical man, who worried about the dangers of life rather than embracing the joys.
    â€œWell, it’s all for the best that I moved up here on the mesa. Sassy and Jett need their privacy. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had another child or even two to go with the three they have now.”
    â€œWouldn’t surprise me, either.”
    A stretch of silence followed and while she sipped her coffee, she watched him scrape the last bite of pie from the saucer.
    When he put down his fork, she decided she’d better say something or he was going to jump to his feet and leave. And she didn’t want him to do that just yet. Having him sitting here in her kitchen felt good. Too good to have it all end in less than fifteen minutes.
    â€œJett tells me the calf crop is turning out to be a big one this year,” she commented.
    â€œThat’s right. And Sassy has had some new foals born recently. Have you taken a look at them?”
    â€œNo. Unfortunately, I’ve been tied up with several demanding cases. But I plan to stop by the ranch house soon to see the kids. Maybe she’ll drive me out to the west range to see them.”
    â€œYou like being a lawyer?” he asked.
    His question surprised her. She figured he wasn’t really interested one way or the other about her personal life. But he’d taken the trouble to ask and that was enough to draw her to him even more.
    â€œYes, I do like it. That’s not to say that I don’t get exhausted and frustrated at times. But for the most part, I like helping people deal with their problems.”
    â€œMust be nice for you to get to work with your brother. Jett is easy to get along with. Me being here for seven years proves that,” he added.
    She smiled faintly. “Jett values your work, Noah. If it wasn’t for you taking charge of everything I’m not sure he could even have this ranch. Aside from that, he cherishes your friendship.”
    â€œYeah, well, I owe him a lot.” Avoiding her gaze, he placed his cup on the table, then scooted the bench back far enough to allow him to rise to his feet. “The pie was delicious, Bella. Thanks. I can now say that I’ve eaten rhubarb.”
    Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “Going already?”
    He still didn’t look at her. “I have chores at home to deal with.”
    â€œThen you probably don’t have time for me to show you through the rest of the house?”
    â€œAfraid not.”
    She tried to hide her disappointment when she spoke again, “We’ll save that for next time.”
    He didn’t reply to that and Bella figured he was probably telling himself there would be no next time. She’d never had a man make it so clear that he wanted nothing to do with her. But rather than put her off, it only made her more determined to spend time with him again.
    As he gathered his hat from the rack on the wall and levered it onto his head, Bella stood and joined him at the door.
    â€œI’ll walk with you out to the truck,” she told him.
    â€œNo need for that.”
    There wasn’t any need, she thought. But she wasn’t going to let him get away that easily. “Don’t deny me. It’s rare I have company of any kind.”
    They left the house the way they came in and as they walked toward his waiting truck, he said, “I imagine you have plenty of company,