Page 41 of A Rancher's Bride
Including, it turned out, Jack’s family’s operation.
He’d stared at his friend in shock when Jack had finally informed him of all the tangled details.
Jack raised a brow, amusement covering his face. “You honestly didn’t know?” he asked.
Luke shook his head. “Last time we talked you were foreman for your family’s stables. You said you were dating someone—but you didn’t say who, or that it was serious. You moved fast.”
“Diane’s parents bought out my parents without mentioning a thing to either of us until it was a done deal. Thank God I’d already told Diane I loved her before the final paperwork went through.”
Luke could see how that could have caused problems. “When’s the wedding?”
Jack shrugged. “I’ve asked her, but she’s said even though she loves me too, she’s not ready yet. And while I’d love to get my ring on her finger, whatever makes her happy is what I’m going with.”
He slapped Jack on the back as they were drawn into another conversation.
Luke’s gaze had drifted across to where Kelli sat beside Diane, the two of them laughing wildly as the youngest woman in the room, the seventeen-year-old granddaughter and heir apparent to one of the most successful dynasties represented at the event, laid her cards on the table in front of them with a squeal before shooting her arms upward.
No, the evening hadn’t been what he’d expected. It had been better.
And now, hours later, as Luke opened the door to the suite and Kelli slipped inside in front of him, a new set ofbetter than expectedhopes dared to rise.
When she’d hit him with her…
He wasn’t even sure what to call it.Proposition?Suggestion?
Radical new way of thinking?
He hadn’t been ready for it. But after the evening and time to see her in a new light, things were changing. He’d reminded himself over and over that this was not Kelli, the ranch hand who eavesdropped and teased and worked at his side because she was an employee.
She wasKelli. The woman who’d seen him hurt and dirty and exhausted. The one who done her damnedest at times, he’d finally realized, to make him smile on the days when he hadn’t had much to smile about.
She was a woman who, now that he got to think of her as a woman, cleaned up damn nice.
Jack and Diane were nowhere to be seen. They’d left the gathering after mentioning time zones and jetlag. At least another half an hour had passed before Luke could haul Kelli away from the far too vigorous game of whist she’d been playing against three silver-haired gentlemen.
He glanced at his watch. It wasn’t late enough to call it a night. Not even with the drive that day and all the rest of the activity.
To tell the truth, he was scared to head into the bedroom yet because he wasn’t sure how he was going to face the night.
Once again Kelli came to his rescue. She kicked off her boots then sauntered across the room to the still-burning gas fireplace. She dropped to her knees in front of it and let out a happy sigh.
He followed suit, getting comfy before crossing the floor to join her.
Luke stopped by her side and glanced down to discover she’d crossed her legs and was sitting in the familiar twisted-limb position he used to catch his foster sister relaxing in. “I’d join you, but I don’t think my pants bend that way.”
A smile twisted her lips. “Take them off.”
Tempting, but no. “I don’t thinkIbend that way.”
Instead he settled beside her, leaning against the couch conveniently at his back.
Outside, snow continued to fall. Big white fluffy flakes drifted gently downward, a wonderland. The hotel’s feature spotlights shone in different directions. Inside, the fire had turned the room warm and cozy.
“The heat is nice, but gas fireplaces don’t sound right or smell right,” Kelli complained softly, easing her neck from side to side.
She had closed her eyes, so it was safe to watch her. To let his gaze drift over the long line of her neck reflected in the firelight glow. To admire the sweep of her breasts under her shimmering yellow blouse.
He eased forward far enough to give into temptation and drag a finger down her sleeve to once again enjoy the soft texture. “I was going to tell you earlier how much I like that top.”
