The Rancher's Doorstep Baby

“I’m sorry about earlier,” Rachel began, her voice husky. “Cy means well…”

Cole put a plate into the water, recalling how he’d almost gone upstairs and checked on her, but realized he’d be playing with fire.

Eighteen months ago, he’d made a couple of rules for himself. Not to get involved, especially with a woman like Rachel, and not to hang around any one place for long. He’d already broken one rule, and had no intention of breaking another.

He shrugged. “It’s none of my business.” The less he knew about her, the easier it would be to walk away.

“You still had to be uncomfortable. For that, I’m sorry.”

“You and Cy are like family. I know he cares about you. He’s just worried about you running this ranch by yourself. It’s a big job.”

She raised her pretty chin. “I’ve managed so far.”

He rinsed another glass. “Is there any other family member that might be willing to help out?”

She shook her head as she stacked a plate on the counter. “My father didn’t have any family.”

Cole knew what it felt like to love someone and have them walk out of your life…for good. The tightness in his chest told him he was getting too close to memories, and the past that he desperately fought to keep buried. He pushed away the threatening emotions.

“Then we’ll have to find someone you can trust to help run this place.”

“I can’t pay that much,” she offered. “My father didn’t save a lot. There’s not enough to pay a decent salary. At least we did well with the sale of the spring calves, so the mortgage is paid ahead.”

Cole knew that a lawyer, Lloyd Montgomery, controlled the money. But dammit, you couldn’t run a ranch from a desk in town. Not even when you owned the neighboring property.

Don’t get involved in this, Cole told himself. You’re leaving at the end of the week. “There are other ways to make the ranch pay off.” Finished with the dishes, he wiped his hands on the towel. “There are thousands of dollars to be made by allowing hunters on your property. You should think about it.”

She nodded. “Father never shared much of the ranch business with me, and as you already know, I don’t have control…yet. That will change soon. So lately, I’ve been going over things, trying to learn my way. Lloyd Montgomery thinks I should sell it all.”

Cole frowned. “Why is that?”

“He doesn’t think I can deal with everything myself.”

Cole snickered. “What does he think you’ve been doing the last few years, having a picnic?”

That brought a smile to her face and his breath caught in his chest. She was strikingly beautiful and she had no idea.

“I’ll need to do something to supplement my income, or I could lose it all.” She was silent for a few seconds, then she said, “I was going over things in my father’s office and found a letter from a windmill company that asked about leasing some land.” Her large eyes locked with his. “When you have some time, would you look at the letter?”

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt.” He glanced at his watch. “How about now?”

Rachel set down her towel and together they walked through the house into a small office off the living room. A large desk took up most of the area, and like the rest of the place it was clean and orderly.

Rachel went to the file cabinet and took out a manila folder. She removed a letter and handed it to Cole.

He glanced at the letterhead. It was from 21

Century Windmill Company, located in San Angelo, Texas. The letter stated that the company had already done a survey of the Bar H’s land and found that the rocky ridge mesa was ideal for windmills. Cole knew the area. It wasn’t much good for anything else, not even cattle. The company had requested an agreement to use the land.

“Has your lawyer made any contact with them?” He glanced through the folder and found nothing else.

She shook her head. “No. I found this in the wastepaper basket. I don’t think Monty thought the idea was a good one. What do you think?”

He didn’t want to sway her, but he didn’t understand why good old Monty had ignored what seemed to be a decent money-making idea. “It wouldn’t hurt to listen to what they have to say. In a few weeks you’ll take over the ranch, so why not just wait until then?”

“So, this is legitimate?” she asked.

He nodded. “It sounds similar to an oil lease. That’s where the landowner is given money up-front from the company—in this case it’s a windmill company. They come in, construct windmills and give the owners a percentage of the profits.” He smiled. “Rachel. You could not only get money for the leased land, but for the electricity they produce and sell to the surrounding areas.”

“So it’s a good thing?”

“It could be very good. But you need to contact this 21

Century and let them know you’re interested. No matter what the lawyer says, you’re more than capable of dealing with these people…” He glanced down at the name. “This Douglas Wills.” He handed the letter to her. He inhaled her fresh scent. No perfume could ever be as intoxicating.

Rachel raised her head and looked up at him. Her face was void of makeup, allowing him to see the tiny freckles scattered across her nose. Her eyes were amber, fringed with long dark lashes. His body warmed as desire spread through him. He tried to ignore it, but she was too close, her mouth too inviting. He found he wanted a taste. He heard the quickening of her breathing.

Then she spoke his name. “Cole…”

Blocking out logical reasoning, he lowered his head to hers, anticipating the kiss. Just to taste her, he promised. Just once he wanted to get lost in her innocence…her sweetness.

He was quickly brought back to reality by the sound of a car. Rachel jumped back. He should have been relieved but what he felt was frustration.

As Rachel went to the window Cole followed, amazed at how close he’d come to making such a huge mistake. He couldn’t mess around with someone like Rachel and walk away. That would be too cruel.

The sun was setting right outside the window making it difficult to see clearly. “Who is it?” he asked.

“Not sure.” She walked out of the room, and Cole followed. He finally caught up to her as she stepped out on the back porch just in time to recognize the deputy sheriff getting out of the patrol car along with another man.

Cole stood close enough to feel her tense.

The man in the khaki uniform tipped his hat. “Good evening, ma’am.” He walked toward the porch, but stopped at the base of the steps. “I’m Deputy Clarke.”

“Evening, Deputy,” Rachel said. “What brings you out here?”

“We’re looking for Rachel Hewitt.”

“I’m Rachel Hewitt.”

The two men exchanged a look, then the deputy asked, “Do you have a sister named Sarah?”

A whimpering sound escaped Rachel, and Cole automatically moved closer. “Yes…” she answered.

“Could we come inside? We’d like to ask you some questions.”

Rachel nodded and the two men walked up the steps and into the kitchen. “Have you seen my sister? Is she in Fort Stockton?”

“No,” the deputy answered. “This is Mike Bentley. He’s from social services in San Antonio. That’s where your sister has been living for the past few months.”