Page 54 of The Rancher's Heart

“Of course.” He winked.

Huh. Maybe that wasn’t a surprise after his ongoing attempts to stay engaged in the eyes of their families.

Handing her one of the bridles from the stack beside him, Jonas showed her how to take it apart and clean the leather straps with saddle soap. Flushing under his gaze, she followed his directions as he demonstrated. As she expected, he didn’t stay silent long. “You deleted your profile on that dating app.”

“Yeah. I did.”

“Why?”

“Obviously, I can’t date while I’m engaged.” She slanted him a snarky look. “Right?”

“That’s noble of you.” He lowered his voice. “Can we stay engaged until after the rodeo?”

“Jonas!”

“Shhh... I know it’s asking a lot, but everyone’s happy we’re engaged, and I don’t want to make them feel bad during the rodeo if we break up before that. We have a lot riding on the results.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “What are you up to?”

“Nothing.” He raised his hands. “I’m just trying to keep everyone happy.”

She wasn’t sure if that sounded lame or if Jonas was making a good point. Sloane didn’t want the family to be disappointed during the rodeo, either. “Promise?”

“Promise.” Jonas went back to cleaning the bridles.

Sloane watched the kids take turns on the horses. She was confused. He didn’t want to marry her. If he did, he would have asked her to marry him properly, instead of announcing their engagement as if it was the score of a game.

“Why didn’t you ask Julieann to marry you? She’s certainly more than willing.”

He stared at Sloane. “She’s not my type.”

“That’s hilarious since I’m not your type either. Who is your type, Jonas?” Sloane blurted before she could stop herself.

Swiveling to face her, Jonas put aside the halter he was working on. “I’m still working that out.” His lips twitched, making Sloane wonder.

If she wanted to be his type, which she kind of wished she was, he would have shown an interest before now. “Julieann’s right, though, isn’t she?”

“We’re engaged,” he said, his anger dissipating.

“But not for real.” She stared into his beautiful eyes, not sure what she was looking for.

“You’re right,” he agreed before picking up the halter he’d put down. He worked saddle soap into the leather, quiet for so long Sloane was certain their conversation was over. When she was ready to give up poking at the mystery that was Jonas Lohmen—but only for the time being—he finally said, “After we break up, I could help you find a husband.”

“I’ve changed my mind about finding a husband. Before I invite a guy to be part of my family, I want to make sure Clara is settled and happy.” Sloane had no problem filling the role of single parent. She was raised by one. And now that she knew for certain that she wasn’t one of his priorities, she was happy to let Jonas know what hers were going forward.

The silence between them got thick. “That could take a while.”

“I’m not worried about how long it will take.”

“You don’t want to get married anymore?”

“Oh, I do. Eventually. When the time is right,” she said decisively, no question in her mind. “I want it all. Love. Commitment. Happy-ever-after. Family. More children. A home filled with happiness. When the time is right.”

He nodded and returned to his halter. “I think I knew that about you.”

Jonas had known all along that she wanted to marry and have a family, and still he hadn’t proposed? Not really. Julieann was right. Shewasnot his type. The sooner she stopped wishing for the impossible, the sooner she could let go and move forward without dreams of her and the rancher sharing their hearts plaguing her.

Starting now. But life didn’t always turn out the way a person wanted it to. Especially if that person didn’t fight for what she wanted.

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