Page 35 of The Rancher's Heart

Jonas stopped in the parking area near the cottage. His mom’s she-shed, converted into a busy Wedding Cottage business, stood tall and cozy in front of the mountains. The sunshine was warm, and the sounds of summer and the still-blooming garden slowed his thoughts.

The tables and chairs from the last wedding had been put away. Carrying their picnic basket to the garden area, he spread out a blanket beside the beautifully scrolled bench. His eyes on Sloane, he asked Clara, “What do you think?”

“It’s so pretty,” Clara said softly as she wandered off to smell the roses and investigate the raised beds filled with colorful plants.

Glad to have this moment alone with Sloane, he handed her one of the sandwiches. “Blake and Nathan did a good job of turning the shed into a wedding sanctuary,” he conceded. “Mom would have approved.”

“All of you did a great job,” she said, unwrapping her sandwich and taking a bite.

He had to start somewhere if he was going to salvage his relationship with Sloane. “I know I haven’t been fair about you using a dating app. Give it to me straight. How user-friendly is it really?”

“It’s fine. Not hard to use.” Her brows arched. He took that as a good sign. He’d always been able to smooth over their rough spots by admitting when he’d stepped over the line. She shrugged one shoulder. “But so far, it’s a bust.”

Jonas wanted what was best for Sloane. He couldn’t help where his thoughts took him. That might not be him. “What happened to Ken?”

She put her sandwich down on the napkin he’d given her. “I haven’t heard from him lately. How about you? Are you dating anyone new?”

That was one of the things he liked most about Sloane. She gave as good as she got. “No. I’ve been too busy with the ranch, moving back to Strawberry Ridge, and making a case for you and Clara to stay together.”

“I don’t think I thanked you for that. Thanks for taking our case.” The stiffness left her shoulders.

“No thanks needed. It’s what friends do, right? Help each other?” Glad that the distance between them seemed to be shrinking, he reached for her hand and felt like he’d won a victory when she didn’t pull back. “I’m just happy you didn’t hire another attorney.”

Her brown eyes filling briefly with regret, she reclaimed her hand and picked up her sandwich. “Tell me about your plans for the rodeo.”

She was right. He always had a plan. After pulling a sandwich out of the basket, he unwrapped it, determined to keep her talking.

“Nathan and Izzy are planning to enter Duke and Grace in the barrel racing category. If Duke can make the fastest time, he’ll be a champion. Even if he makes a good showing,andif we have his DNA results, and we get him registered with the Colorado Ranger Horse Association by then, the Triple L’s financial problems should be on the road to recovery.”

She finished her sandwich. “What’s next? Can we help with anything?”

He hesitated. Almost immediately, he realized it wasn’t the right thing to do. Her brows pulled together.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want her help. In fact, the more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to see her every day. It was just that saving the Triple L was something he and his brothers had to do...

And then he remembered how much Malorie and Izzy had helped. He would never live it down if he kept Sloane out of the game. “All we’re doing right now is waiting to get the DNA results back.”

“Friends let their friends help, you know,” she informed him quietly, as if he didn’t already know.

“You’re right,” he agreed gently, leaving out the part that it was time for him to stop being a dunce. “As soon as there’s more to do, you’ll be the first one I contact.”

“Can we go to the rodeo?” Clara plopped down next to her sister.

Sloane immediately let go of his gaze to look at Clara. “Thatwouldbe fun, wouldn’t it?”

“I’ve been thinking.” Clara took the sandwich Sloane handed her. “If I had my own phone, I could take pictures of this garden”—she made a sweeping gesture with the hand holding the sandwich—“and the horses, and the rodeo.”

The teen had spunk, that was for sure. She was almost as adorable as her sister.

Suddenly, Jonas was on shaky ground. Sloane came with a plus-one. And Clara deserved her own family, not just a guy who was considering taking a chance and pursuing a more serious relationship with his best friend.

“Not yet, kiddo. Let’s see how it goes with Ms. Owens tomorrow. Maybe we can think about getting you a phone when you’re fourteen.” Sloane patted Clara’s arm.

“Okay.”

For the rest of their picnic, Sloane seemed lost in her thoughts. There was a time when she would have told him what was on her mind.

When they were ready to return to the main house, he pulled Sloane aside and said gruffly, “I know it’s painful losing your mother, even though you haven’t seen her in years. It’s hard on you and Clara. I just want you to know I’m here for you. For both of you.”

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