The Lonesome Rancher / Finding Happily-Ever-After: The Lonesome Rancher

“But Louisa is relentless when she sets her mind to something. Just don’t let her get away with anything.”

“You forget it was your mother who wanted me here. She’s the one who wants to recover.”

He opened the door to the barn and paused as he found himself leaning closer to her. In less than twenty-four hours, she’d managed to draw him in, made him want and need. Damn, if she wasn’t the most tempting woman. He quickly roped in his desire and managed to speak. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He motioned for her to walk in ahead of him. Mistake. He tried not to stare at her shapely backside, but lost the fight and enjoyed the view as they made their way down the aisle toward the last pen. It was quiet and that was how he liked things. Polly spotted him and blew out a long breath in greeting. “How are you doing, girl?”

The chestnut made her way to the gate and let Sloan rub her muzzle. “You had quite a day, Mama.” He glanced down at the filly. “Well, hello to you, too, little one.”

He lowered his hand, but it was Jade who got the attention. The filly with the white star on her forehead came toward her. “I guess you females stick together.”

Jade knelt down and coaxed the filly with her hand. “It’s my voice. It’s softer. Oh, she’s so cute.”

That wasn’t the only soft thing about Jade. He glanced away from the soft skin of her cheeks, only to catch the generous curve of her backside. He released a frustrated breath. He needed to get out more and get away from a certain pretty nurse, or he might be in some big trouble.

CHAPTER THREE

THE next morning, Sloan was out of the house and on his way to the barn before dawn. Over the next two hours he worked alongside the other hands to feed livestock and set up the work schedule for the day before he finally came in for breakfast.

Five years ago after college, he’d moved out of the main house. He’d built his own place just up the road about a quarter of a mile. The one thing he did was come by occasionally and share breakfast with his mother. After her stroke and his father’s return to Washington, he’d stayed over, temporarily, when his sister was out of town.

Now there was Nurse Jade on the premises so he could go back to his place. In truth, Jade Hamilton was a distraction. He couldn’t even walk past her bedroom door this morning without pausing, hoping to see her again. Still, he told himself he needed to wait a little longer to see how things worked out. He’d stay here a few more nights.

A pretty woman arriving in Kerry Springs sent up several warning signals for him. Although the feelings had gone cold, the bad memories were still raw. The difference this time from the last, he planned to keep his distance.

He wasn’t the only one who’d been intrigued by the nurse. He’d seen how the ranch hands had watched her yesterday in the barn. It was not what he needed right now with the fall roundup coming soon. All ranch hands needed to focus on their jobs.

That included him. This was the future of River’s End. His chance to prove to Clay that he could make the ranch thrive. His way.

He headed up the porch steps to the back door. After scraping his boots, he walked in and hung his hat on the hook. He found Marta at the stove and greeted her, but before he could ask about his mother, he heard voices coming from the garden room. As he entered, he saw something he hadn’t seen in a while.

A happy Louisa Merrick. Then his attention went to her companion.

Jade looked fresh and pretty this morning. Her hair was pulled back from her face, exposing her creamy skin, pert nose and delicate jaw. Then she smiled and it caused his heart rate to accelerate.

“This is crazy,” he mumbled and walked in.

His mother saw him first. “Sloan, I was wondering where you were.”

“I was working. Remember, there’s a ranch to run.”

His mother frowned. “Someone is grumpy this morning. I told you, son, you need more leisure time. You can’t let this place consume you.”

He glanced at Jade. At least he could be cordial. “Mornin’, Jade.”

“Good morning, Sloan,” she answered in a soft voice.

He dished up eggs and hash browns onto his plate. “Maybe I’ll feel better once I have some breakfast.”

“You always were grouchy when you were hungry.”

He swallowed a big bite. “Well, that should be fixed soon.” He wanted to change the subject. “What are your plans today?”

Louisa looked proud of herself. “We’ve already been working. Jade talked with my therapist when she came by earlier, so she can help me with my daily exercises.” Louisa glanced at Jade. “And since I’ve been such a good patient, after breakfast we’re going into town. I have a hair appointment in an hour.”

He nearly choked on his food. Hadn’t the family been trying for weeks to get her into town? “A hair appointment?”

“Don’t you think it’s about time I do something with this mess?” She pointed to her dark hair streaked with gray pulled back into a ponytail.

He shot a look at Jade, wondering how she’d talked Louisa into this. “You always look beautiful, Mom, but I agree this will make you feel better.”

“Good. So don’t expect us home for lunch because we have more plans. And we may just stop by the Blind Stitch, too.”

He shook his head. “Whoa, I don’t think you should overdo it. It’s been a while since you’ve spent the day out.”

Louisa studied her son. “I know you’re concerned, but I’ll let Jade know if it’s too much for me. Now I need to go upstairs and get ready.”

Jade immediately got up as did Sloan.

“No, both of you finish your breakfast. I can manage.” Louisa reached for her walker. “Besides, I’m sure you have questions for Jade. Don’t bully her.”

They watched her leave, then Sloan motioned for Jade to sit down.

Jade braced herself.

“Don’t you think you’re moving too fast?”

“I wouldn’t do anything without checking with your mother’s doctor,” she said confidently. “Dr. Carstairs returned my call about thirty minutes ago. He agrees it would be good for Louisa to get out of the house. In fact he’s been suggesting that to her for the past month.”

Sloan continued to stare at her. “Seems you’ve worked a miracle.”

She cocked her head. “Are you upset because you’re worried about your mother, or that I’m the one who got her to go into town?”

He seemed to relax a little. “Maybe both. She hasn’t exactly been in an agreeable mood lately.”

She nodded. “Yes, your mother is stubborn. I’ve come to realize sometimes it’s easier for a person to confide in a stranger, than ask help from family.”

“My mother can be a handful when she wants to be.”

“Perhaps she enjoys the attention?”

“That’s Mom.” He sighed. “A lot of people envy her, but she hasn’t had a perfect life. Being married to a political icon hasn’t been easy. Although, she’s never been a fan of D.C. lifestyle and all the politics. She was born and bred in Texas. It’s her home. She’s always been more comfortable on the ranch with her family around her.” He studied Jade. “All in all, she’s a private person. Alisa and I are, too.”

Jade couldn’t help but hear a little animosity in his voice, she was also distracted about the possibility of having a half sister. So far she’d only seen a few pictures of Alisa Merrick up in Louisa’s bedroom. She wanted answers to so many things, but Sloan wasn’t the one to ask.

All she needed to do now was her job. Already, she’d gotten more involved with this family than she should, or had any right to. But she found a glimpse had made her want more.

That didn’t seem to keep her from asking, “Doesn’t the senator usually come home on the weekends?”