Page 20 of The Rancher's Addiction

“Yes, I agree with you.He acts all gruff, but I think if Carly hadn't hurt him so badly, he’d be a lot more approachable.”

She looked down and studied her fingers.

“Why don’t you go home?You looked tired.”

She nodded.“I will, after I put everything away.”

He patted his knee.“Well, okay.”

“Hey, Charles, have you eaten lunch yet?”

“No, I have not.”

“Do you want to go to the diner with me?Kind of like a date,” she said and wiggled her eyebrows.

He snorted and then grinned.“I would love to.I’ll be in my office.Come get me when you’re ready to go.”

He closed his office door, walked behind his desk, and sat before making his call.

“Mac,” the voice on the other end barked, making Charles roll his eyes.

“It’s me, Charles.Will you be around this afternoon?”

“Sure.Why?”

“I’d like to stop and talk.We really haven’t had a chance lately, and I’ll be out that way anyway.”

“Sure.I’ll be in one of the barns.Honk when you get here.”

“You got it.”

Chapter Nine

Afew hours later,Charles pulled up outside the big barn and honked before he got out and looked around.He was impressed with the changes Mac had made to the ranch and how it had turned into one of the most successful ranches in the state.

“Charles,” Mac yelled from the doorway of another barn.

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