Page 29 of A Rancher's Bride
“Kelli James, you are one lump of trouble.”
“Who is going to do everything in her power to make sure all those bigwigs want to come and see our horses.” Her voice had gone far more serious. She laid her hand on his arm. “I’m teasing now because I’m still a little mad, and a little spooked, and a lot worried. Yet if I come back to that core part—to where I think about how strong our stable is and what kind of magic could be made—that part is absolutely true. I can work with that.”
He rested his fingers over the top of hers, warm and heavy. Basically, holding her hand in a way that he never had before. Not ever, not even once over the past eight years.
They’d worked together. They’d pulled each other out of stinking wet holes and through piles of mud. They’d helped lift each other over snowdrifts, but it was the first time they’d ever made contact like this. Just a hand touching another hand for a reason other than work.
It was a different kind of connection. Luke liked it.
“Thanks, Kelli. I agree. I know this might be awkward at moments, but what you said is the biggest thing for us to focus on. Let’s bring it back to what we know is true. Silver Stone deserves to shine.”
Her eyes were bright again, and for the first time since he’d realized what an asinine move he’d made, Luke Stone took a full breath. He wasn’t out of the woods yet, and frankly he didn’t deserve to be, but he was going to make it up to her. Somehow.
Together, though, as a team going forward. He liked the sound of that.
He liked the thought of that a lot.
7
As a man in a fancy uniform rolled forward with a cart and piled their luggage onto it, the matching bags taunted her.
She’d chickened out.
Kelli wiped her palms on her thighs then tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear. The place in front of her was enormous. As close to a castle in a movie as anything she’d seen in recent history.
The circular carpark they’d pulled into was covered overhead by a rock and wrought-iron balcony. Floor-to-ceiling windows were tucked to their right. Luke was handing his keys to someone, so Kelli followed behind the luggage, through the massive doors and into the grand foyer.
The ceiling went up to forever, with massive log beams suspended overhead in arches and flying buttresses. River rock graced all the walls, the smooth surfaces as awe-inspiring as any jagged granite. Massive tiles lay underfoot, with rich carpets centering each of four collections of leather couches arranged in comfortable gatherings.
An arm hooked around her shoulders, and she jerked upright, glancing to the left as Luke’s chuckle surrounded her. “It’s incredible, isn’t it?”
“I can’t stop staring. Tuck me in a corner so I don’t look like a complete greenhorn, but it’s too pretty to pretend I’m not in awe.”
He squeezed gently then tugged her to the side. “Let’s both find a wall for a minute, because I’m pretty gob-smacked myself.”
She pressed her shoulders against the rocky surface he found them, letting her head fall back to take in the mass of heights. Closer by she spotted a fireplace that took up nearly an entire wall by itself. “That’s big enough for people to walk into,” she said with a whisper.
“Just like in the fairytales, darlin’,” he assured her. “Over there is the dining room, and I think that path leads to the swimming pool and spa.”
“Wow. We aren’t in Kansas anymore, Toto.”
Luke stepped away from the wall and moved in front of her. “Stay here and I’ll check us in.”
“Sure thing, bos—buster.” Her lips twitched as she fought for a straight face. “Sorry, old habits.”
He gave her a warning glance then strode away.
She really shouldn’t, but as he marched off it was impossible to keep her gaze from his ass. He wore brand-new Levi’s, with a crease running down the front of the legs. They cupped his ass like the seamstress had sewn them onto him, and she sighed happily.
She was some kind of masochist to be enjoying this so much. Not to mention her plan to go full steam ahead as soon as possible was going to take a lot more courage than she’d expected.
Considering she’d planned to make her move on the final part of the drive and then utterly failed.
Kelli was still staring after him when feminine laughter drifted over, drawing her attention away from the massive beauty of the lodge and the man.
A slightly heavyset woman with a massive amount of dark curly hair stood by politely. Her smile was bright, and her dark eyes danced with amusement. “Sorry for being so forward, but I assume you know that fine representation of manhood?”
And so it began.
