Page 5 of The Rancher’s Ecstasy

The amount of money she’d used to buy clothing and diet pills could feed a small family for years. Any love he’d had for her had died when he found out that since she wasn’t getting the attention she craved from him, she found other men to give it to her. He had stuck with her because of their son but hadn’t touched her again. It had been the final straw when he caught her using cocaine and other drugs around their son. She was gone within hours, and because of a prenuptial agreement she’d signed, she received a small amount of alimony every month but was unable to take any part of the ranch or, most importantly, their son.

Cole shook off the memories and crossed his arms over his chest to see what his Emily would do next. He knew people would call him crazy for falling for a woman that fast, having known her a little over an hour. Cole shrugged. He didn’t give a shit. He was given this opportunity, and he wasn’t going to fuck it up and lose her.

His eyes narrowed as he watched her scan the tables, looking so lost he started to take a step to go to her. Cole excused himself and threw his beer can into the waste bin as he made his way toward her and stopped when he heard Daisy call out to Emily and saw her wave her arm. He was going to give his niece a raise. He watched Emily go from nervous and feeling out of place to smiling. Yeah, Daisy definitely deserved a raise.

“Cole!”

Cole swung his head around at Neil’s bark. “What?”

Neil chuckled. “She told me what happened at the main house, but I thought she was exaggerating.”

Cole scowled. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Neil nodded his head at the table where Daisy and Emily sat.

“Daisy said when the two of you met, it was instantaneous combustion.” He laughed at Cole’s scowl. “She said she felt like a voyeur watching the two of you meet and...”

Cole’s body froze and his eyes heated when Emily’s gaze finally found and focused on him.

“Well, shit, I’ve lost you again, haven’t I? I think I’ll go eat with my wife and meet Emily. Nice chatting with you,” Neil said, then hooted sarcastically.

Cole never heard him. His entire concentration was on Emily. He liked how her eyes grew large, then hazy and unseeing. He got a glimpse of Daisy following Emily’s stare and waving his way jovially before turning toward her husband, Neil, who had sat down beside her. He turned his attention back, his gaze raking boldly over the parts of her body he could see.

When he looked up at her face, he saw a haze of sadness and disbelief shadow her eyes before she bowed her head and turned her gaze away from him. What the heck? Cole started toward the buffet to grab some food, intending to go to her and make her see him. He wouldn’t allow her to ignore him. His frustration level rose when his cellphone rang. He saw it was his employee who was watching a mare about ready to drop her foal. Rick would only call him this late if it were important.

He took one last look at the back of Emily’s head. This was probably a good thing because the way he was feeling was out of control. He needed a little time to get himself restrained before he scared the shit out of her. There was time, he reminded himself.

She would be there for three months, so he didn’t have to rush. He walked out of the barn and headed to the one where they kept pregnant mares. He let himself think about her before he needed to concentrate on the mare.

Chapter Four

Emily smiled when she opened her cabin door to see Daisy. “Hi,” Emily said.

Daisy grinned and pointed to the sweatpants and t-shirt Emily wore with her tennis shoes.

“Just got back from a jog, I see?”

“Yes. The air here is so clear and crisp it felt amazing. It wasn’t far. I just ran down to the end of the driveway and back, but it felt good to stretch my legs. Can you come in?”

Daisy shook her head. “No, I can’t right now. I just wanted to tell you about a trail ride that’s going to start in twenty minutes. I didn’t know if you had time to go through the schedule we left on the counter?”

“You’re right, I haven’t seen it. How long will the ride take?” Daisy looked down at her phone when it beeped.

“About half the day. I know you just got here last night, but I really think you’d enjoy it. The trail they’re taking the guests on is one of my favorites.”

A tremendous feeling of excitement raced through her. It had been so long since she sat on a horse and felt the peace only those animals could give her. “I would love that. Where do I need to go?”

Daisy pointed at one of the large white barns.

“Go to that one on the left. Neil is setting up everyone with a horse depending on your experience.”

Emily noticed people had started to gather. Some held the reins of horses, and others stood around and talked.

“I’ll change into some jeans and head up there.”

Daisy grinned. “Great. You’ll enjoy yourself. I’ve gotta go. There is a problem up at the house.”

Concern darkened Emily’s eyes. “I hope it’s not too serious.”