Page 16 of The Rancher's Heart

Liked.That said it all, didn’t it?

The man could be so clueless. “Maybe she thought I had some influence with my best friend.”

“You do, but I don’t know why Julieann would think that.”

That was surprising. “I do.” Girls helped each other that way, but it just so happened that Sloane couldn’t get in the middle of whatever was going on between Jonas and Julieann.

He shrugged and went back to his cooking.

Finished layering the nacho stack, he popped the covered dish into the oven. He grabbed two bottles of water and opened them before leading the way to the living room, where the light coming in from the outside windows was dimming. The comfy sectional couch facing the stone fireplace called her name. She’d had more than enough work at the garage and with Julieann showing up with her request, well... It’d been a long day.

Jonas handed her one of the waters, then made himself comfortable in one of the overstuffed chairs, his expression taking on his courtroom mask. “What do you want to know about Julieann?”

Good grief. “I’m not judging you.” Nor was she letting this slide. “I’m just curious why she thinks I could be her champion?”

“We dated a few times after I finished her court case for Charles.” Jonas shrugged. His eyes started to sparkle. “I probably mentioned you a time or two, hoping she would catch on that I wasn’t available on the marriage market.”

“Jonas!” What in the world? “Why would you do that? You probably confused the poor woman.”

“There’s nothing ‘poor’ about Julieann. She can take care of herself.”

The sparkle in his eyes spread into a smile that tempted Sloane to smile back. “We’ve known each other so long, there were lots of stories to tell.”

“I can’t believe you.” This was not funny. She put the water aside.

He nodded, his expression sobering. “Yeah, not my finest moment. My only excuse is I was missing you.”

Sloane went to stand next to the fireplace. He missed her while he was in Denver? That was hard to believe. Something was off-kilter.

Jonas came to stand next to her and claimed her hand. “I don’t have the kind of feelings for her that I should have for a woman I want to spend the rest of my life with,” he said softly. “I’ll talk to her and make sure she doesn’t bother you again.”

Not for the first time, frustrated with the dude, she pulled her hand free. “Just to be clear, I don’t want to get tangled up in your problems with other women.” She stopped her headlong explanation and then admitted, “I just felt sorry for her.”

He didn’t want to marry Julieann, who was very attractive and would be appealing to most guys, Sloane thought. And he didn’t want to be more than her pal. So, what was left?

“But you don’t feel sorry for me?” A smile worked its way into his gray eyes.

She shook her head in disbelief at Jonas. “Nope.”

Grinning, he reached for her hand again, this time lacing her fingers with his. “Forgive me for causing so much trouble?”

The sizzle that ran up her arm should have been annoying. She couldn’t think straight when he held her hand as if she were precious china. She wasn’t happy with Jonas, but more than that, she was upset with herself. When was she going to stop wanting him to be her last date instead of someone else’s first?

“I guess,” she agreed.

Straightening to her full height, she finally managed to tug her hand free. “Jonas, we’ve been best friends practically all our lives. I honestly believe you’re living the exact, single life you want. So, convince Julieann you’re not available, and I’ll go back to looking for someone I can live happily with for the rest of my life.”

His brows crammed together as he released Sloane. He started to say something, but before he could, her cell rang. She glanced at the caller.

“Who is it?”

“Ken Williams.” Sloane saw no point in hiding who she was dating. Especially after their current discussion. “I’m supposed to call him back tonight. He wants to go on a picnic.”

Jonas leaned against the fireplace. “That’s not an impressive first date.”

“It’s not our first date. Even if it was, it works for me. I’ll call him back later.” She slipped the phone back into her pocket and let the call go to voicemail. “I suppose on a first or second date, you would take a girl to a concert or museum or something.”

“A concert is too loud to talk and get to know the woman. I would take her on a wine-tasting tour, if she was into wine and cheese at all.” A grin spread across his handsome face. “You could tell this Ken whatever his name is that you can’t go out with him because you forgot you promised to help me clean out the horse stalls.”

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