Page 6 of Rancher's Healing

“All right everyone, let’s get this evening started. I’d like to bring up the most beautiful auctioneer we’ve ever had for this event. Nora, sweetheart, please come up to the stage.” My brother’s chest puffed out with pride as he watched his wife make her way to the microphone. “Not only is she our auctioneer, she organized this event and the proceeds will go to the health clinic in the hopes of being able to offer more services to our remote little corner of the world.” The audience clapped and quieted when Nora took the microphone.

“Thank you for that introduction, Kipp.” She stood behind the podium and looked out over the crowd. “Wow, it’s packed in here tonight. I won’t keep you waiting. Let’s get started. We have seven bachelors tonight, two from the ranch, four from town, and, of course, our own doctor, Jake Gordon.” A whistle came from behind me, and I didn’t need to turn to know who it was. Only one person would act that tacky at a black-tie event.

Looking over at my Fallon, Elle and Kristin, we all mouthed, “Starcie.” Rolling our eyes, we look back at Nora.

My stomach fluttered as I waited for Jake to come on stage. “Now ladies and gentlemen, Doctor Jake Gordon.” He walked out, smiling nervously as he scanned the audience. Was he looking for me? “Jake grew up here and only left to go to medical school. His dedication to our community is commendable. I know he’s getting calls to join large hospitals, but he stays here. So let’s make sure he can keep practicing medicine in our county for years to come.” Nora clapped for Jake, as did the rest of the room.

“Two thousand.” One of the older women said from a few tables over. The women with her giggled, and they all waved at Jake. He grinned and waved back.

The back and forth went on for a while until a voice shouted from behind me, “Six thousand!” I watched Jake’s smile falter slightly, but unless you knew his tell, nobody would have seen it.

“Seven.” I said as I held up my number.

“Seven-fifty.”

“Eight.” I called, trying not to let her bother me.

“Eight-fifty,” Starcie said, her voice squeaking. I waited for a second.

“Going once, going twice.”

Standing, I locked eyes with Jake. “Twelve thousand dollars.” Arching my brow, I didn’t even try to hide the smirk. The room was so quiet you could hear a piece of straw fall to the floor.

“Going once, going twice, sold to Tayla Miller.” Nora beamed, and I made my way through the chairs to the stage. Holding my arm out for Jake, he laced his through mine, and we walked to where my mom sat at the table waiting for payment.

“Isn’t this cozy?” Mom grinned as she wrote up the receipt for me. “Have a lovely date, you two.” Mom winked and Phil put his arm around her, smiling at me. Writing out the check was easy, and I was suddenly very happy I had put away a percentageof my winnings. Handing the paper to my mom, she took it and tucked it into the cash box.

“What, no lecture about being safe?” I asked, looking at my mom’s boyfriend.

“Nah, Jake’s good.” He held out his hand and Jake shook it.

Moving away from the table, Jake put his hand on the small of my back and led me right out of the barn. Starcie stood over by the cars, her arms crossed and glaring at me. “Don’t stop, just keep walking. I see her.” Jake said quietly as he led me to his truck.

CHAPTER FIVE

JAKE

“Where are the girls tonight?” Tayla asked, breaking the unnerving silence we’d sat in since leaving the ranch.

“With Hattie. It’s her weekend.” I hated when they were gone, but Hattie had been a wonderful mom, even if we weren’t meant to be together.

I turned onto the road where my ranch was. It was a fraction of the size of the Flying Diamond 5, but it had been in my family for generations. Even though I was busy with my practice, I liked coming home to the quiet and to the animals that needed me. It gave me something to do when the girls were with their mom.

Pulling to a stop at the house, I parked, got out, and opened Tayla’s door. She wrapped her arm around mine and walked pressed up against me. “I suppose I should have asked if this was what you wanted,” I said as I swung the door open.

“Jake, I wouldn’t have bid twelve thousand dollars for you, or come home with you if I didn’t want this.” She grabbed my face between her hands and pulled me down to her. Our lips met, and time stopped. Her lips were soft and tasted like vanilla. Backingher into the house, I kicked the door closed. She sighed against me, and my tongue slipped against hers. I wrapped my arms around her. “Please Jake,” she whispered as she pressed her hips against me.

“Turn around.” I said when I wrenched my mouth from hers. She did as I asked, and I pulled her hair off to the side. The black dress hugged her body seductively. I wanted to gouge out every man’s eyes that dared to look at her. Pulling the zipper down, I exposed her back. Reaching back up to her shoulders, I pushed it down her arms. No bra, no panties, just the dress and her. It fell to the ground with a soft puff and she turned back to face me.

“I’ve dreamed of your body,” I whispered, hoping she wouldn’t take it the wrong way.

“Really?” she asked quietly, and all I could do was nod. “What did you dream about?” She bit the corner of her lip.

“Should I tell you, or show you?” I arched my brow and couldn’t stop the blood from rushing to my dick.

“Show me.” She whispered, as she reached for the buttons on my shirt. Her fingers worked like magic as she undid my shirt. Her hands shook slightly as she pushed my shirt off my shoulders.

Her fingers danced over my tattooed chest. “Well, aren’t you full of surprises, Doctor Gordon?” She arched her brow, and my shirt fell to the floor.

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