Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
She nodded. “That would look nice.”
“I was thinking yellow for the dairy barn, a rusty red for the stables, green for the chicken coop, and blue for the cookhouse.”
“And the cabins?”
“Red and white—really Canadian.”
She laughed. “What did Luke say?”
“I didn’t tell him. I wasn’t sure how he’d react.”
She mulled it over. “We’ll bring it up in a couple of days. I like it, though. We had talked about freshening up the buildings last year.” She grinned. “Although I am pretty sure his idea of freshening up was a coat of the same color.” Her smile faded. “He won’t let you touch the house, though.”
I shook my head. “That is private. I wouldn’t dream of it. Guests aren’t allowed in the private areas of the ranch. You can set the boundaries.” I rubbed her arm.
And no female guests were allowed in there at all, I wanted to add, but I refrained. I tried not to think about why Luke having a guest in the house would bother me. That would complicate things. I cleared my throat.
“You guys really miss your parents, don’t you?”
She nodded. “When my dad died, Luke stepped in. He was brother, father, friend, boss—something to everyone. When Mom died, I know how much he missed her guidance. He became that much more serious and withdrawn. She was the rock for us and especially for him. I had hoped he would meet someone to help share his life with.”
She sighed, crumpling up the paper her sandwich had been wrapped in. “But the one time he tried, it was a spectacular disaster, and he closed himself off. He is an amazing man—warm, caring, funny—but he doesn’t let many people see that side of him anymore. He’s friendly but removed. He gives everything he has to this ranch…” She trailed off.
“…leaving nothing for himself,” I finished for her. “He carries a lot by himself.”
She eyed me for a moment. “Is something going on between the two of you?” she asked frankly. “I sense some sort of tension between you.”
I didn’t want to lie, but I couldn’t tell her the whole truth. “Nothing of any consequence. A little attraction, but nothing will come of it since I’m only here a short time.”
She lifted a shoulder, dismissing my words. “Holiday trysts can be fun. As long as both parties agree to the rules.”
I gaped at her. “Are you telling me to have a fling with your brother?”
She laughed. “It might help loosen him up. I notice how he watches you.” She grinned. “I also noticed the little scruff marks on your neck.”
“Oh, ah—” I stumbled to find an explanation. “He got too close, making sure I hadn’t been stung.”
“Your lips in danger of that, too?” She teased. “Something made them swell.”
I dropped my head into my hands. “Oh God.”
She laughed. “I won’t say a word. I promise.”
I sighed. “There is an attraction. He says nothing can happen, and he keeps pulling back.”
“Sounds like Luke.”
“Any advice?”
She stood, brushing off her jeans and draining her lemonade. She studied me for a moment.
“My brother likes to be in control. Of everything. This ranch, the people, his emotions. He likes to call the shots.”
I nodded. “I figured that much.”
“If he says no, you just have to agree. Then figure out a way of making him say yes. Let him think whatever happens was his idea.” She winked. “I don’t like to think about him that way, but he is a man. They always want what they can’t have. Chase after what isn’t theirs. Reverse psychology works wonders. You say no, he is going to want you to say yes.” She paused. “If, that is, you want him to say yes.”
Then she grew serious. “But don’t hurt him. He’s been hurt enough.”
I stood, wincing a little at the soreness in my butt and legs. Between the fall and riding the horse, my muscles were protesting.
“I don’t want either of us to get hurt. But I like the man I see under the serious façade. We get along well in those moments.” I grinned. “And frankly, I like sparring with him.”
She returned my grin. “I think he likes it too. No doubt part of the draw.”
“No doubt.”
She linked her arm with mine, and we walked toward the horses. “I’ll stay quiet. Just remember what I said. Reverse psychology.”
“Got it.”
CHAPTER TEN
SAMMY
I spent the rest of the afternoon with Rachel. We went over to the farm, and I met her soon-to-be in-laws, Jane and Harry. They were welcoming and excited about Rachel’s plans. Happy their son was coming home and open to the idea of helping Rachel launch her cottage industry business. I saw the beehives, petted some animals, and raved over more of Rachel’s knitted items. The blankets were warm and soft, the colors pretty.
“These would sell well.” I showed Rachel equivalent blankets on other sites, and she was shocked at the prices. “Yours can be even higher, because of the fact that you produce the wool as well.”