Page 45 of The Rancher's Heart

“Do you think he’ll like me?”

Tugging her sister into a hug, Sloane reassured the teen, “He’ll love you!” She held her away at arm’s length. “Anyway, you’re fun. Easy to get along with.” Clara’s lips twitched. “And he’ll think you’re charming.”

Clara snorted. “Jonas is charming. I’m just me.”

“Well, Just Me. I love you”—She did!—“and I’m glad you’re staying here with me.”

“I’m glad too,” Clara whispered, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. “You’re not mad at me about yesterday?”

“Absolutely not. Already forgotten.” Almost, anyway.

If she could get Jonas off her mind... She’d watched him with the kids yesterday, how he joined in their fun and made them laugh. He’d moved so fast when it looked like a horseshoe was about to hit Timmy on the head.

The man was impressive. And handsome. And gads... so hard to forget. He blended in with his brothers and their growing families as if he’d never left Strawberry Ridge to become a lawyer. And then he ruined everything by pulling that stupid stunt.

“What do you think about checking out the school’s website to see what you’ll need? We can go shopping before Dad gets here,” she suggested as she whisked eggs for scrambled egg sandwiches.

“I’d like that.” Clara nodded. “Can I help make lunch?”

“Sure. You tackle toasting the bread while I scramble the eggs.”

It was late by the time they got home after scouring Strawberry Ridge for school supplies. She’d gotten her sister everything on their list, including some clothes. It turned out Clara loved vintage, secondhand outfits. Even Sloane had found a thing or two she liked.

They beat her dad to the house by twenty minutes, just long enough to put their purchases away.

Sloane answered the door and was wrapped in a big, bear hug before he leaned back, asking, “So where’s this little sister I’ve been hearing so much about? I want to meet her.”

“Hi,” Clara said shyly from behind Sloane. She was wearing her favorite of the clothes she’d gotten, a tee with patchwork lace down the front and on the capped sleeves and jeans that Sloane thought could use a patch or two, but that her sister liked just as they were.

Her dad held out his hand. “I’m Sloane’s dad. You can call me Ron if you like.”

Her dad had never met a kid he couldn’t win over, and true to form, so it went with Clara. By the time they’d finished the taco salad she made for dinner, her father knew everything there was to know about her sister. They were laughing as if they’d been choosing letters for their Scrabble game for years.

“Come play with us, Sister,” her dad invited.

“You two go ahead without me. I want to clean up the kitchen and take a moment to water the plants out back.”

Clara jumped up. “I’ll help you.”

“That’s okay. You play Scrabble with Dad.”

For a second, the room went silent as they both realized what she’d said. Clara looked at Ron, her slender shoulders slumping.

As usual, her father saved the day. “You can call me Dad if you want. I would like that.”

“Really?” Clara straightened, hope flashing across her young face.

He winked. “Really. Now come sit down and see if you can beat an old man at his favorite game.”

“You’re not old,” Clara declared.

Laughing, he said, “We’ll see if you still think that when we’re finished with this game.”

Clara’s only response was a disbelieving snort that warmed Sloane’s heart.

This was exactly what she wanted, not the pretend fiancée gig Jonas had sprung on her. A family that cooked together played games in the evening after dinner. Generations that would rather spend time together than do anything else was what made her happy.

Her dad won the Scrabble game. He always did. Clara graciously conceded and hugged him as he left.

---