Second Chance At The Ranch

‘She thinks you work too hard.’

‘I like keeping busy.’

‘There’s keeping busy, and there’s back-to-back assignments.’

Hero drew in a breath and let it out slowly, concentrating on the glittering stars and the warmth of Nick’s body behind her.

‘A girl has to pay the rent,’ she said, trying to lighten the mood, not to mention deflect the enquiry.

‘I don’t mean to be nosy, but I’m pretty sure you’ve probably got that covered.’

‘Maybe. But I like to be sure.’

‘Why do I get the feeling there’s more to this?’ Nick asked, getting his answer as he felt Hero’s body tense within his arms.

‘Of course there isn’t. I just like to be sure I’m financially prepared and independent. I know that’s still quite a radical view to take in some parts, but that’s what happens when you invite outsiders into your world.’

Nick smiled. ‘Not me. I’m all for that.’

‘Good to hear.’

‘So, what do you do to relax?’

‘I …’ What did she do to relax? She spent time with Anya shopping, and visiting restaurants. She liked to read but the only times she ever seemed to be able to sit down with a book was on a long-haul flight like the one that had brought her here, although even then she never seemed to get far as fatigue overtook her and sleep won over reading.

‘What do you do to relax?’ Hero turned the question on him.

She felt the deep rumble of laughter as he squeezed her a little more. ‘Oh no, you don’t. I asked first.’

She sighed dramatically.

‘And don’t try and pull that diva stuff on me. I know you better than that now.’

She could hear the smile in his voice as he teased her.

‘I suppose I go out with friends to relax.’

‘And do you?’

‘Do I what?’

‘Relax. It’s just that you’ve seemed as tight as a wound spring all day here.’

‘No, I haven’t.’

Nick tipped her up and twisted positions so that her legs now lay over his and she was looking up into his face in surprise.

‘What are you doing?’

‘If you’re going to fib to me, you have to look me in the eye when you do it.’

Hero drew herself up. ‘I’m not fibbing.’ Was she?

In the low light from the function room’s porch, she met his eyes and he knew that she was.

‘I don’t know anyone here. It’s different.’ Her voice was soft, and Nick pulled her a little closer, not just so that he could hear her but because there was something so hurt, so fractured in that tone that made him want to wrap his arms around her and protect her from whatever it was that had created that pain.

‘You know me.’

A flicker of a smile danced on her face. ‘I think that probably goes for most of the women in this district from what I’ve witnessed today.’

He grinned at her, even white teeth showing against the dark shadow on his jawline.

‘Point taken. OK, so you know all our family, and most people here are pretty easy going and I find it hard to see that someone would turn down the opportunity of talking to a stunner like you.’

She dropped her gaze, knowing that, in a way, he was right. What she’d got used to at home, though, was wondering whether they were talking to her because they were interested, or whether it was because they wanted to be seen to be talking to her, or because they thought she might be useful in furthering their own cause. She knew how cynical her slant on it all was. Unfortunately, it seemed to prove itself over and over. Although, maybe here it was different.

‘I didn’t really know what to say to anyone.’

‘You probably don’t need to say much at all. Just ask about them and you’ll be golden. Most people love an opportunity to talk about themselves.’

Hero let out a breath of laughter. ‘That is true.’

The silence settled between them but there was nothing awkward about it. It felt natural. Companionable.

‘I’ve never seen Juliet as happy as she is here.’

‘I’d never seen my brother get such a dopey look on his face before she walked onto the property.’

‘I hope they’ll be happy.’

‘I have no doubt about it. Although, it does mean I’m going to have to get my arse in gear and get my own house built now.’

‘They’re kicking you out?’ Hero pulled back from his chest and stared at him, her mouth an ‘o’ of surprise.

‘Nah, not at all. But the house should be theirs. All theirs. Of course, it’s going to take a while to do anyway, but if I get started, I’ll feel better.’

‘Where will you be moving to? Won’t it be difficult if you’re still planning to help run the station?’

He wrapped his arms a little tighter around her, warmth flooding through him at her gentle, unguarded concern. Hero rested her head back against the solid wall of his chest.

‘I’ll still be on the property. When the place was built, I think there was some delusion of grandeur going on, and they had a gatehouse put in, near the start of the driveway.’

Keeping her head on his chest, Hero raised her eyes to Nick. ‘You’re not talking about that ruin on the left-hand side as you come in, are you?’

‘That’s the one.’

‘You’re rebuilding that?’ The astonishment that the feat was even possible was clear in her voice.