Page 63 of Ranch Rules

Thomas set down his shovel and gaped at her. “You’re kidding, right?”

“What?” she asked, suddenly feeling defensive.

“That’s what you do for fun?”

“Sometimes I watch Matlock while I do it, or Law and Order if I’m feeling really frisky.”

“So you work, and go home and work some more?”

Her brow furrowed. Was that so hard to understand? “Wait, I’m doing this wrong. I did mention the wine, didn’t I?”

Thomas chuckled. “Yes, you did. I was just wondering when do you go out, let your hair down, get together with your friends?”

“All my friends are old men and they’re either still at the office or in bed by nine so they can be the first ones in the door.” She shrugged. She hadn’t thought it was such a big deal, but the way he was staring at her was making her rethink it.

“You work too hard, little-bit.”

“Oh, I do not,” she scoffed. Not this again.

“If you never go out, if you don’t have friends, what do you call that?”

“There will be plenty of time for friends, later.” That had been her mantra since junior high school.

“When?”

“When I make full partner.”

“Hmm, well, let me ask you somethin’.”

She waited, but somehow she knew she wouldn’t like his question.

“Is that the same thing you said about makin’ junior partner?”

Natalie’s lips tightened into a thin line. “Could you pass me the bag? I need some more soil over here.”

Thomas did not press the point and they worked for a while in silence.

After a bit, she relaxed and began to actually enjoy herself. There was something soothing about her hands in the dirt, knowing that something beautiful would come from her labor. What, she couldn’t help wondering, came from all the long days and never-ending hours she put into the firm? A paycheck, sure, but was there more to it than that?

“All right, I think that’ll do it,” Thomas announced, clapping his hands together. “You ready to go inside?” Without waiting for an answer he stood and offered her a hand.

She took it, feeling a frisson run through at his mere touch. Closing her eyes for just a second, she savored it. Then he was leading her back into the cabin. It wasn’t until they were inside, the door shutting behind them that she looked down and saw the soil stains on the shorts he’d let her borrow.

Thomas seemed to see it at the same time and chuckled. “I know you had a shower earlier, but it was so short I was thinkin’ you might enjoy a nice, hot bath?”

Natalie considered this. “Will you come?”

His blue eyes twinkled at her. “You can’t stand to be away from Daddy for even a few minutes, can you, little one?”

She couldn’t deny that.

“Well, all right then. Come on, let’s get you into the bathtub.”

“I don’t really do baths, I’d rather—”

“Tsk, tsk.” He shook a finger at her. “Daddy’s orders.”

Knowing that she didn’t dare say no to that, she followed him, leaning against the wall and watching as he filled the tub. She’d noticed the candles earlier, but she hadn’t gone exploring and was now surprised to see him go into the cabinet under the sink for a couple of different bottles. One contained something that looked like salt, but filled the air with a heavenly smell as soon as it hit the water. Bubble bath was next, and he let the water run until the suds nearly spilled over the tub.

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