Page 57 of The Rancher's Heart

He leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

When his mother passed, he convinced himself that no matter what was put on her death certificate, his mom had died from loneliness as well as a profound grief at losing the love of her life. According to the letters, he was wrong. She hadn’t told any of them that she’d been diagnosed with kidney disease and decided not to have any treatment. But she’d told his dad and was determined to leave the ranch in the best shape she could for their boys. She’d lived two years after her original diagnosis.

Maybe she could have lived longer if any of them had known. They could have helped her get to dialysis or whatever treatment they could talk her into. Zelda Lohmen was strong-minded, decisive, loving, and tough. She didn’t want any treatment that would not improve her quality of life. And her doctor hadn’t been able to change her mind.

His mom and dad were partners. She didn’t die of loneliness. She passed when she was satisfied that she’d done what she could do to finish what they’d started.

He should be so lucky. He wanted that kind of lasting partnership with Sloane. Despite what she’d been told, she was exactly his type. And he loved her with every ounce of his being.

*

The next day,Jonas went to his office with a plan in mind. He had two days before the rodeo began to convince Sloane he was her guy. He went through Clara’s file to make sure he hadn’t missed anything in his filing. Everything looked to be in good shape. Now they waited.

It was the same for Duke’s DNA results, except their waiting game should be done by the end of the week.

The next step in his plan? Tilting his chair back, he called a local florist.

“Old Town Florist. How can I help you?” asked a cheerful voice.

“I would like to order a bouquet. One with lilies, daisies, and hydrangeas.”

“I can take care of that for you. Where do you want them delivered?”

He thought for a minute. It was Monday, so she was at work. “To Sloane Michaels at Michaels’ Garage on Main Avenue.”

“Perfect. What do you want the card to say?”

He didn’t want to give too much away. The last thing he needed was for Sloane to tell him to take a hike because she thought he wasn’t being sincere. “I can’t wait to go backpacking with you. ~Jonas”

“They’ll be delivered this afternoon.” He gave the florist his payment information and hung up.

Staying busy with a couple of walk-ins the rest of the day wasn’t enough to take his mind off Sloane and all the ways he could prove to her that he loved her.

Before he headed home for the night, he called her, and when she picked up, he asked, “Did you get the flowers?”

“Yes. Thank you. They’re pretty.” She broke off.

Just pretty?He would have to do better next time.

“I’m glad you like them. Thanks for signing me up for the backpacking lessons.” He kept his tone casual. He didn’t want to make her more skittish than she already was.

A door closed in the background. He glanced at the clock. She must be closing for the day. “No problem.”

“I’d love to show my thanks and take you to dinner tonight.”

“Sorry.” She didn’t sound all that sorry. She sounded delighted to be missing out on his old-fashioned courting. “I have to get home to Clara. Dad’s coming over, and he’s bringing a friend.”

It’d been a toss-up that she would accept his invitation. He just had to try harder. “Okay... well... I’ll see you at the rodeo on Wednesday.”

“See you Wednesday.”

That, at least, was something to hang his hat on. Leaning back in his chair, he grinned. Then, a minute later, locking the door behind him, he drove home in the dusk as the sun began its slow descent.

At his desk, Jonas tapped his pen on the wood surface. Not wanting to waste time, he called Stephanie’s Inn and made reservations for Wednesday night. If he had reservations, she couldn’t say no, could she?

Since he didn’t have any appointments the next day, when Nathan came down for breakfast, he suggested, “Why don’t you and Izzy spend the day together and plan your wedding?”

“That’s a great idea, except she’s working, and I’ve got horses to tend to.” Nathan eyed Jonas with his usual suspicion, although since getting engaged to Izzy, that had eased up some.

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