Page 55 of The Rancher's Heart

“Just out of curiosity, who’s this guy you want to marry me off to?” If she were a classic cartoon, steam would be rolling out of her ears. Even though she was already moving on, it was insulting and made her heart ache that Jonas didn’t have a clue that man should be him. “Hey, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”

He started to speak, but she interrupted. “What would you look for in a woman IF you were looking? Not sophisticated and on the fast track, I’m guessing, since you sent Julieann on her way fast enough.”

What was she doing? Did she want to move on or not?

He put aside the finished harnesses. Catching her gaze, he rubbed his short beard. “She has to be smart. Independent. Have her own dreams. Be a hard worker for the important things, like her family. Be willing to play as hard as she works. She has to love adventures and puppies...” The corners of his eyes crinkled. “And kids, and road trips with the family, and of course, horses and the ranch.”

“That’s a long list.” And sounded just like his sisters-in-law, but not Julieann, from what Sloane had noticed during the brief time she’d spent with the other woman.

He shrugged, but the humor in his eyes didn’t go away.

“You’re teasing, aren’t you?” This was the BFF she remembered. He’d slipped back into Jonas’s body when she wasn’t looking.

“No—” He laughed. “But someday.”

Jonas wasn’t talking about her, but at this point Sloane didn’t care.

She jumped up. “We have to go.”

Clara didn’t want to leave, but Sloane insisted. She’d had enough. They picked up tacos on the way home. Tonight would not be a cooking at home night.

“We’re still going, aren’t we? I’m supposed to help with the horses and passing out flyers,” Clara said when Sloane parked in front of the house.

Sloane worked up a smile. “Of course we’re going.”

After showers and a quiet dinner, Clara talked her into a game of Scrabble. Wasn’t she most of the things Jonas had described as his ideal woman? How did he not see that?

Clara took Sloane to the cleaners, beating her by too many points to count. “I won!” She danced around the living room, arms pumping. “I won!”

Saying good night to Clara, Sloane sat down at her computer and looked up backpacking lessons.

Finding what she was looking for, she was pleasantly surprised to find that a group of backpackers were offering a free introduction class for beginners at the rodeo on the first day. The barrel races were on Thursday, so there was no conflict. Clara would like that, and maybe her dad would join them. She signed Jonas up too. That would show Jonas how adventurous she could be. She sent him the link.

Chapter Fifteen

Sunday morning, Nathancornered Jonas in the kitchen. His brother poured coffee from the pot, his scowl deepening. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but when Sloane left yesterday, she was upset. I’m going to tell you the same thing you told me—Don’t be an idiot. If you don’t stop screwing around, you’ll lose her, big brother.”

“I didn’t say you were an idiot.”

Nathan’s brows shot up. “Same thing as.”

“If I remember correctly, I told you not to let Izzy get away. If you did, you would regret it for the rest of your life,” Jonas set his brother straight.

“If you let Sloane get away, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. But I think you already know that,” Nathan threw his words back at Jonas. “What is there to fight about, anyway? You just got engaged. The honeymoon phase can’t possibly be over.”

“None of your business. I have a plan.” He hoped.

Nathan did not give up. “Who was the woman you were talking about? I would swear you were describing Sloane.”

Yes, but did Sloane get that message? “Don’t worry, little brother. I’m not letting Sloane get away.”

The minute he introduced her to Julieann as his fiancée, he knew after all the years they’d been BFFs that Sloane was the one. Nathan was right. He’d been an idiot not to recognize that truth sooner. He just had to convince her their pretend engagement was just the beginning, not a fool’s mistake.

Nathan clapped him on the shoulder. “Though I must say, you’re slower than the average bear in the catching-on department, you were right. Life is too short to turn your back on love when it punches you in the face. I’m so glad Izzy is willing to put up with me for the long haul.”

“Dad almost threw everything away,” Jonas said quietly, leaving his breakfast dishes in the sink. “I don’t intend to make the same mistake.”

Nathan stared at him. “What are you talking about? Dad loved Mom more than life itself.”

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