Claiming the Rancher's Heart

“Nuh-uh.” Stacie tried to keep a straight face but couldn’t keep from laughing.

He did have her number. And she hoped this was all about the dogs. Because if it wasn’t, she was in big trouble.

Chapter Two

Josh pulled up in front of his weathered ranch house and wondered when he’d lost his mind. Was it when he’d first seen the dark-haired beauty sitting on the porch and felt that stirring of attraction? Or when he’d started talking about the weather and she’d listened with rapt attention? Or maybe when her eyes had lit up like Christmas tree lights when he’d mentioned the puppies?

Whatever the reason, bringing her to the ranch had been a mistake.

He cast a sideways glance and found her staring wide-eyed, taking it all in. When her gaze lingered on the peeling paint, he fought the urge to explain that he had brushes and rollers and cans of exterior latex in the barn ready to go once he got the rest of the cattle moved. But he kept his mouth shut.

It didn’t matter what she thought of his home; it was his and he was proud of it. Situated on the edge of the Gallatin National Forest and nestled at the base of the Crazy Mountains, the land had been in his family for five generations. When he’d first brought Kristin here as a bride the house had been newly painted and remodeled. Still, she’d found fault.

“It’s so—” Stacie began, then stopped.

Shabby. Old. Isolated. His mind automatically filled in the words his wife—ex-wife, he corrected himself—had hurled at him whenever they’d argued.

“Awesome.” Stacie gazed over the meadow east of the house, already blue with forget-me-nots. “Like your own little piece of paradise.”

Surprised, Josh exhaled the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

“Oh-h.” Stacie squealed and leaned forward, resting her hands on the dash, her gaze focused on the short-haired dog, with hair so black it almost looked blue, streaking toward the truck. “Is that Bert?”

Josh smiled and pulled to a stop in front of the house. “That’s her.”

“I can’t wait to pet her.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Josh saw her reach for the door handle. Before she could push it open, he grabbed her arm. “Let me get the door.”

“That’s okay.” Stacie tugged at his firm grasp. “I’ll let you off being gentlemanly this once.”

“No.” Josh tightened his fingers around her arm. When her gaze dropped to the hand encircling her arm, he released his grip, knowing he had some quick explaining to do. “Bert can be territorial. You’re a stranger. I’m not sure how she’ll react to you.”

He didn’t want to scare Stacie, but last week the UPS man had stopped by and Bert had bared her teeth.

“Oh.” A startled look crossed Stacie’s face and she sank back in the seat. “Of course. I don’t know why that never occurred to me.”

“She’ll probably be fine,” he said a trifle gruffly, disturbed by the protective feelings rising in him. “I just don’t want to take any chances.”

A look of gratitude filled her eyes but he pretended not to notice. He pushed open the door and stepped from the truck. He didn’t need her thanks. He’d do this for any woman, including old Miss Parsons, who’d rapped his knuckles with a ruler in third grade. Yep, he’d do this for any female, not just for a pretty one that made him feel like a schoolboy again.

Josh shifted his attention to the predominantly black-and-gray-colored dog that stood at his feet, her white-tipped tail wagging wildly.

“Good girl.” He reached down and scratched Bert’s head. She’d been a birthday gift from his mother, six months before Kristin moved out. She’d never liked the dog. But then, by the time she left, Kristin hadn’t liked much of anything; not the ranch, the house or him.

“Can I get out now?”

Josh grinned at the impatient voice coming from the truck’s cab. Shoving aside thoughts of the past, he hurried to her door, Bert at his heels.

He paused and dropped his gaze to the dog. “Sit.”

Bert did as instructed, her intelligent, amber-colored eyes riveted to him, ears up, on full alert.

“Miss Summers is a friend, Bert,” Josh warned as he opened the passenger door. “Be good.”

Despite the warning, the hair on Bert’s neck and back rose as the brunette exited the vehicle. Josh moved between her and the dog.

“Nice doggie.” Stacie’s voice was low and calm as she slipped around him. She took a step forward and held out her hand. “Hello, Bert. I’m Stacie.”

Casting a look at Josh, Bert took a couple steps forward and cautiously sniffed Stacie’s outstretched hand. Then, to Josh’s surprise, Bert began to lick her fingers.

“Thank you, Birdie. I like you, too.” Stacie’s smile widened as the dog continued to lick her. “I can’t wait to see your babies. I bet they’re pretty, like their mama.”

Bert’s tail swished from side to side and Josh stared in amazement. For a woman who’d grown up without pets, Stacie certainly had a way with animals.

“Australian cattle dogs—that’s another name for blue heelers—are known for being smart and loyal. They’re great with livestock.” Josh paused. “Still, not many would call them pretty—”

“She’s very pretty.” Stacie bent over and clasped her hands over the dog’s ears, shooting Josh a warning look.

“My apologies.” Josh covered his smile with a hand. “Would you like to see the six smaller versions in the barn?”

“Are you crazy?” Stacie straightened and grabbed his hand. “Let’s go.”

Her hand felt small in his, but there was firmness in the grasp that bespoke an inner strength. When he’d discovered that he’d been matched with Anna’s friend from Denver, he’d wondered if Anna had monkeyed with the results.

He realized now that he and Stacie had more in common than he’d first thought. And he found himself liking this city girl. Of course that didn’t mean she was a good match.

He’d been with a city girl once. Fell in love with her. Married her. But he was smarter now. This time he’d keep his heart to himself.

“I feel guilty.” Josh stabbed the last piece of apple dumpling with his fork. “You spent the whole evening in the kitchen.”

Stacie took a sip of coffee and smiled at the exaggeration. She hadn’t spent the entire evening in the kitchen. They’d played with the puppies for the longest time. After that Josh had shown her all Bert’s tricks, including catching a Frisbee in midair. By then, they were both hungry and she’d offered to make dinner.

“I told you,” Stacie said, relishing the taste of the rich Columbian brew against her tongue. “Cooking is a hobby of mine. I love making something out of nothing.”

Josh lowered his fork to rest on his now-empty plate. “You’ve impressed me. That noodle thing with the sausage and peppers tasted like something I’d get in a restaurant.”

“And we didn’t even have to go out.” Stacie glanced around the modern country kitchen. After seeing the outside of the house, she’d been a bit apprehensive about the inside. But when Josh had ushered her through the front door and given her a tour, she’d been pleasantly surprised.

While the exterior needed some attention, the interior was up-to-date and exceptionally clean. When she’d complimented Josh on his tidiness, he sheepishly admitted that he had a housekeeper who came during the week to cook and clean.

“I’d have taken you out,” Josh said, his gaze meeting hers. “I hope you know that.”

“I do,” Stacie said. “But this was more fun.”

“I agree.” Josh smiled and the fine lines that fanned out from the corners of his eyes crinkled appealingly. He pushed back his chair. “How ‘bout we take our coffee into the family room?”

Stacie rose. Her gaze lingered on the dishes in the sink before returning to the ones still on the table.