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Lured by the Rich Rancher
Kathie DeNosky
If you want to truly know a cowboy…saddle up real close Chance Lassiter is comfortable on a horse, not in front of a camera. But public relations expert Felicity Sinclair thinks he’d be the perfect spokesman to restore the Lassiters’ tarnished image. There isn’t much the wealthy rancher wouldn’t do for his family, so he welcomes the sexy consultant to his ranch, wondering if she’ll sink or swim on his territory. Soon he’s the one drowning—in passion. This city girl sure knows how to handle herself. But when it comes to handling him? It’s time for Chance to show Felicity what a real cowboy is all about.
“Nice try, sweetheart.” His low chuckle seemed to vibrate straight through her.
“I didn’t say I would agree to anything. I said we’d talk.”
She took a deep breath. “All right, cowboy. I’ll stay with you at the Big Blue. But I want you to promise that you’ll keep an open mind and give me a fair chance to change it.”
“Only if you’ll drop the matter if I decide against doing it,” he said, extending his hand to shake on their deal.
The moment her palm touched his an exciting little shiver slid up her spine, and Felicity couldn’t help but wonder what she had gotten herself into. Chance Lassiter was not only the best choice for redeeming his family in the eyes of the public, he was the only man in a very long time to remind her of the amazing differences between a man and a woman.
* * *
Lured by the Rich Rancher is a Dynasties: The Lassiters novel— A Wyoming legacy of love, lies and redemption!
Dear Reader (#u7649d8fb-7f93-54be-bd74-23076a3326fa),
When I was invited to participate in the Dynasties: The Lassiters series, I was thrilled to learn I would be working with some of my favorite authors and very good friends. We always have so much fun developing our characters and coordinating plots, and this time was no different.
In the fourth installment of the Lassiter family saga, Lured by the Rich Rancher, we see what happens when country meets city. Chance Lassiter, owner of the Big Blue Ranch, and Fee Sinclair, a public relations executive who works for his family’s company, Lassiter Media, are as different as night and day. But when they meet at his sister’s wedding, sparks fly and Wyoming nights have never been hotter.
I hope you enjoy reading Chance and Fee’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. There’s nothing like a good cowboy story to warm your heart and put a smile on your face.
All the best,
Kathie DeNosky
Lured by the Rich Rancher
Kathie DeNosky
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
KATHIE DENOSKY lives in her native southern Illinois on the land her family settled in 1839. She writes highly sensual stories with a generous amount of humor. Her books have appeared on the USA TODAY bestseller list and received numerous awards, including two National Readers’ Choice Awards. Kathie enjoys going to rodeos, traveling to research settings for her books and listening to country music. Readers may contact her by e-mailing kathie@kathiedenosky.com (mailto:kathie@kathiedenosky.com). They can also visit her website, www.kathiedenosky.com (http://www.kathiedenosky.com), or find her on Facebook.
This book is dedicated to the authors of Dynasties: The Lassiters. It’s been a pleasure working with you and I hope to do so again in the near future.
And a special dedication to my good friend and partner in crime, Kristi Gold, whose sense of humor is as wicked as my own. Love you bunches, girlfriend!
Contents
Cover (#uc44d434a-87b9-522a-afd4-afc6824618bd)
Introduction (#u64f3f6b5-d74c-5a62-90ce-3e5054862ea3)
Dear Reader (#u9770b905-16ae-55ae-941d-5e680a01dc81)
Title Page (#u8b927ae5-f5c3-55b2-8753-d23f639ecef6)
About the Author (#u58ae17d1-4e2c-51a4-9f5f-5d893b4e572e)
Dedication (#uc32d2f52-10c6-52a1-984b-41f03e3f8d6d)
Family Tree (#u92a4f1b3-7ce5-58ea-8241-6d773d07f3c7)
Chapter One (#ulink_9cf97e9c-f38a-51cc-811f-af2e5a93e5b5)
Chapter Two (#ulink_4ba5fa8b-e99a-517b-a96a-4e62116501db)
Chapter Three (#ulink_8ce25ade-3ba8-5e8c-9d83-76fdb04f2dcd)
Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
One (#ulink_db788dd6-f3f2-5a70-a7ca-6a90d0d2d895)
At the designated time on the Fourth of July, Chance Lassiter and his half sister, Hannah Armstrong, approached the doorway to the massive great room in the Big Blue ranch house. “This seems wrong. I just learned two months ago that I have a sister and now I’m giving you away,” he complained.
“That’s true,” she said, smiling. “But since you and Logan are good friends, I think we’ll probably be seeing each other quite often.”
“You can count on it.” He gazed fondly at his five-year-old niece waiting to throw flower petals as she preceded them down the aisle. “I told Cassie I would come over and take her into Cheyenne for ice cream at least once a week. And I’m not letting her down.”
“You’re going to spoil her,” Hannah teased good-naturedly.
Grinning, he shrugged. “I’m her favorite uncle. It’s expected.”
“You’re her only uncle,” Hannah shot back, laughing. “You have to be her favorite.”
When he first discovered that he had a half sister from the extramarital affair his late father had some thirty years ago, Chance had experienced a variety of emotions. At first, he’d resented the fact that the man he had grown up believing to be a pillar of morality had cheated on Chance’s mother. Then learning that Marlene Lassiter had known her husband had a daughter and hadn’t told him had compounded Chance’s disillusionment. His mother had been aware of how much he missed having a sibling and he felt deprived of the relationship they might have had growing up. But in the two months since meeting Hannah and his adorable niece, he had done his best to make up for lost time.
Chance tucked Hannah’s hand in the crook of his arm. “Besides the standing ice-cream date, you know that all you or Cassie have to do is pick up the phone and I’ll be there for you.”
“You and your mother have been so good to us.” Tears welled in Hannah’s emerald eyes—eyes the same brilliant green as his own. “I don’t know how to begin to thank you both for your love and acceptance. It means the world to me.”
He shook his head. “There’s no need to thank us. That’s the beauty of family. We accept and love you and Cassie unconditionally—no matter how long it took us to find you.”
As they started down the aisle between the chairs that had been set up for the wedding, Chance focused on the red-haired little girl ahead of them. Cassie’s curls bounced as she skipped along and her exuberance for throwing flower petals from the small white basket she carried was cute as hell. Of course, like any proud uncle, he thought everything the kid did was nothing short of amazing. But with an arm like that there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that she could play for a major league baseball team if she set her mind to it.
Approaching the groom standing beside the minister in front of the fireplace, Chance waited for his cue before he placed his sister’s hand in Logan Whittaker’s. He kissed Hannah’s cheek, then gave his friend a meaningful smile as he took his place beside him to serve as the best man. “Take care of her and Cassie,” he said, careful to keep his tone low. “If you don’t, you know what will happen.”
Grinning, Logan nodded. “You’ll kick my ass.”
“In a heartbeat,” Chance promised.
“You don’t have anything to worry about,” Logan said, lifting Hannah’s hand to kiss the back of it as they turned to face the minister.
When the bespectacled man of the cloth started to speak, Chance looked out at the wedding guests. Except for Dylan and Jenna, the entire Lassiter clan had turned out in force. But his cousin and his new bride’s absence was understandable. Their own wedding had only taken place a little over a week ago and they were still on their honeymoon in Paris.
As Chance continued to survey the guests, he noticed that his cousin Angelica had chosen to sit at the back of the room, well away from the rest of the family. She was still upset about the terms of her father’s will and refused to accept that J. D. Lassiter had left control of Lassiter Media to her former fiancé, Evan McCain. Chance didn’t have a clue what his uncle had been thinking, but he trusted the man’s judgment and knew there had to have been a good reason for what he’d done. Chance just wished Angelica could see things that way.
He shifted his attention back to the ceremony when the minister got to the actual vows and Logan turned to him with his hand out. Chance took from his jacket pocket the wedding ring his friend had given to him earlier and handed it to his soon-to-be brother-in-law. As he watched Logan slide the diamond-encrusted band onto Hannah’s ring finger, Chance couldn’t help but smile. He had no intention of going down that road himself, but he didn’t mind watching others get married when he knew they were meant for each other. And he had yet to meet two people better suited to share their lives as husband and wife than Hannah and Logan.
“By the power vested in me by the great state of Wyoming, I pronounce you husband and wife,” the minister said happily. “You may kiss the bride.”
Chance waited until Logan kissed Hannah and they turned to start back down the aisle with his niece skipping along behind them before he offered his arm to the matron of honor. As they followed the happy couple toward the door, a blonde woman seated next to his cousin Sage and his fiancГ©e, Colleen, caught his eye.
With hair the color of pale gold silk and a complexion that appeared to have been kissed by the sun, she was without question the most gorgeous female he’d ever had the privilege to lay eyes on. But when her vibrant blue gaze met his and her coral lips curved upward into a soft smile, he damn near stopped dead in his tracks. It felt as if someone had punched him square in the gut.
Chance had no idea who she was, but he had every intention of remedying that little detail as soon as possible.
* * *
Felicity Sinclair felt as if something shifted in the universe when she looked up to find the best man staring at her as he and the matron of honor followed the newly married couple back down the aisle. He was—in a word—perfect!
Dressed like the groom in a white Oxford cloth shirt, black sport coat, dark blue jeans and a wide-brimmed cowboy hat, the man was everything she had been looking for and more. He was tall, broad-shouldered and ruggedly handsome. But more than that, he carried himself with an air of confidence that instilled trust. She could only hope that he was related to the Lassiters so that she could use him in her PR campaign.
When he and the matron of honor continued on, Fee turned to the couple seated next to her. “Sage, would you happen to know the name of the best man?”
“That’s my cousin Chance,” Sage Lassiter said, smiling as they rose to their feet with the rest of the wedding guests. “He owns the majority of the Big Blue now.”
Excited by the fact that the best man was indeed a member of the Lassiter family, Fee followed Sage and his fiancée, Colleen, out onto the flagstone terrace where the reception was to be held. She briefly wondered why she hadn’t met him at the opening for the newest Lassiter Grill, but with her mind racing a mile a minute, she dismissed it. She was too focused on her ideas for the PR campaign. The Big Blue ranch would be the perfect backdrop for what she had in mind and there wasn’t anything more down-to-earth and wholesome than a cowboy.
When her boss, Evan McCain, the new CEO of Lassiter Media, sent her to Cheyenne to take care of the publicity for the grand opening of the Lassiter Grill, she’d thought she would be back in Los Angeles within a couple of weeks. But she’d apparently done such a stellar job, her stay in Wyoming had been extended. Two days ago, she had received a phone call assigning her the task of putting together a public relations campaign to restore the Lassiter family image and Fee knew she had her work cut out for her. News of Angelica Lassiter’s dissatisfaction with her late father’s will and her recent association with notorious corporate raider Jack Reed had traveled like wildfire and tarnished the company’s happy family image, and created no small amount of panic among some of the stockholders. But by the time she hung up the phone, Fee had already come up with several ideas that she was confident would turn things around and reinstate Lassiter Media as the solid enterprise it had always been. All she needed to pull it together was the right spokesperson in the right setting. And she’d just found both.
Of course, she would need to talk to Chance and get him to agree to appear in the television spots and print ads that she had planned. But she wasn’t worried. She’d been told all of the Lassiters had a strong sense of family. Surely when she explained why she had been asked to extend her stay in Cheyenne and how important it was to restore the Lassiters’ good name, Chance would be more than happy to help.
Finding a place at one of the round tables that had been set up on the beautifully terraced patio, Fee sat down and took her cell phone from her sequined clutch to enter some notes. There were so many good ideas coming to her that she didn’t dare rely on her memory.
“Do you mind if I join you, dear?”
Fee looked up to find a pleasant-looking older woman with short brown hair standing next to her. “Please have a seat,” she answered, smiling. “I’m Fee Sinclair.”
“And I’m Marlene Lassiter,” the woman introduced herself as she sat down in the chair beside Fee. “Are you a friend of the bride?”
Shaking her head, Fee smiled. “I’m a public relations executive from the Los Angeles office of Lassiter Media.”
“I think I remember Dylan mentioning that someone from the L.A. office had been handling the publicity for the Lassiter Grill opening here in Cheyenne,” Marlene said congenially. She paused for a moment, then lowering her voice added, “And when I talked to Sage yesterday, he said you were going to be working on something to smooth things over after Angelica’s threats to contest J.D.’s will and her being seen with the likes of Jack Reed.”
“Yes,” Fee admitted, wondering how much the woman knew about the board of directors’ concerns. Something told her Marlene Lassiter didn’t miss much of what went on with the family. “I’ll be putting together some television commercials and print ads to assure the public that Lassiter Media is still the solid, family-friendly company it’s always been.”
“Good,” the woman said decisively. “We may have our little spats, but we love each other and we really are a pretty close family.”
They both looked across the yard at the pretty dark-haired woman talking rather heatedly with Sage. It was apparent she wasn’t the least bit happy.
“I know it’s probably hard for a lot of people to believe right now, but Angelica really is a wonderful young woman and we all love her dearly,” Marlene spoke up as they watched the woman walk away from her brother in an obvious huff. Turning to Fee, Marlene’s hazel eyes were shadowed with sadness. “Angelica is still trying to come to terms with the death of her father, as well as being hurt and disillusioned by his will. That’s a lot for anyone to have to deal with.”
Compelled to comfort the older woman, Fee placed her hand on top of Marlene’s where it rested on the table. “I’m sure it was a devastating blow to her. She worked so hard for the family business that many people just assumed she’d be running it someday.”
“When J.D. started cutting back on his workload, Angelica knew he was grooming her to take over and we all believed she would be the one leading Lassiter Media into the future,” Marlene agreed, nodding. “When he left her a paltry ten percent of the voting shares and named Evan McCain CEO, the girl was absolutely crushed.”
Fee could tell that Marlene was deeply concerned for Angelica. “It’s only been a few months since Mr. Lassiter’s passing,” she said gently. “Maybe in time Angelica will be able to deal with it all a little better.”
“I hope so.” Marlene shook her head. “There are times when even grown children have a hard time understanding the reasons their parents have for making the decisions they do. But we always try to do what’s in our children’s best interest.”
It was apparent the woman’s focus had shifted and she was referring to someone other than Angelica. Fee didn’t have a clue who Marlene was talking about, but she got the distinct impression there might be more than one rift in the family.
“I don’t have children, but I can imagine it’s extremely difficult sometimes,” she agreed. Deciding to lighten the mood, she pointed to the bride’s table, where the wedding party would be seated. “I don’t know who did the decorations for the reception, but everything is beautiful.”
All of the tables were draped with pristine white linen tablecloths and had vases of red, white and blue roses for centerpieces. But the table where the newly married couple and their attendants would sit had been decorated with a garland made of baby’s breath and clusters of red and blue rosebuds. It was in keeping with the holiday and utterly stunning.
“Thank you,” Marlene said, smiling. “Hannah left the reception decorations up to me and I thought red, white and blue would be appropriate. After all, it is the Fourth of July.” Marlene smiled. “We’ll be having fireworks a bit later when it gets dark.”
“Grandma Marlene, can I sit with you for dinner?” the adorable little red-haired flower girl asked, walking up between Fee and Marlene.
“Of course, Cassie,” Marlene said, putting her arm around the child. “As long as your mother says it’s okay.”
“Momma said I could, but I had to ask you first,” Cassie answered, nodding until her red curls bobbed up and down. She seemed to notice Fee for the first time. “I’m Cassie. I got a new daddy today.”
“I saw that.” Fee found the outgoing little girl completely charming. “That’s very exciting, isn’t it?”
Cassie smiled. “Yes, but Uncle Chance says that I’m still his best girl, even if Logan is my new daddy.”
“I’m sure you are,” Fee said, smiling back.
While the child walked around her grandmother’s chair to sit on the other side of Marlene, Fee felt encouraged. She hadn’t realized she had been talking to her new spokesman’s mother and niece. Surely if Marlene knew about the public relations campaign and was all for it, her son would be, too. And with any luck, he would be more than willing to play a role in the publicity she had planned to help restore the Lassiters’ reputation.
* * *
Seated next to his new brother-in-law at the head table, Chance was about as uncomfortable as an eligible bachelor at an old-maids convention. He didn’t like being on display and that was exactly the way he felt. Every time he looked up from his plate, someone was either smiling at him, waving to him or just plain staring at him. It was enough to make the succulent prime rib on his plate taste about as appetizing as an old piece of boot leather.
Finally giving up, he sat back from the table and waited until he had to toast the bride and groom. Once he got that out of the way, as far as he was concerned, his duties as the best man would be over and he fully intended to relax and enjoy himself.
At least, Logan had decided they would wear sports coats and jeans instead of tuxedos or suits. Hannah called Logan’s choice of wedding clothes “casual chic.” Chance just called it comfortable.
As he scanned the crowd, he looked for the little blonde that had caught his eye at the wedding. He hoped she hadn’t skipped the reception. She was definitely someone he’d like to get to know.
He was almost positive she wasn’t from the area. None of the women he knew looked or dressed like her. From her perfectly styled hair all the way down to her spike heels, she gave every indication of being a big-city girl, and he would bet every last penny he had that the red strapless dress she was wearing had a famous designer’s name on the label. But it didn’t matter that they came from two different worlds. He wasn’t looking for anything permanent with anyone. All he wanted was for them to have a little summer fun while she was around.
When he finally spotted her, he barely suppressed a groan. She and his mother seemed to be deep in conversation and that couldn’t be good. Since his mother had gotten a taste of what it was like to be a grandmother with Cassie, she had made several comments that she wouldn’t mind him giving her another grandchild or two in the near future. Surely his mother wouldn’t be talking him up as husband and father material.
He frowned. Of course, he couldn’t be sure. She’d shocked the hell out of him a couple of months ago when she had admitted that she’d known all about the affair his late father had thirty years ago. Then his mother had surprised him further when she admitted that she was the one who paid child support to Hannah’s mother all those years after his father’s death. His mother’s secrets had caused him no end of frustration and it had only been in the past few weeks they had started to repair the breach those issues had caused in their relationship. Surely she wouldn’t run the risk of creating more problems between them.
Lost in thought, it took a moment for him to realize that Logan had said something to him. “What was that?”
“Time for your toast,” Logan said, grinning. Lowering his voice, he added, “Unless you’d rather make us wait while you sit there and ogle the blonde seated next to Marlene.”
“Did anyone ever tell you what a smartass you can be, Whittaker?” Chance grumbled as he took his champagne flute and rose to his feet.
He ignored his new brother-in-law’s hearty laughter as he sincerely wished the couple a long and happy life together, then gifted them a thousand acres on the Big Blue ranch to build the new house he knew they had been planning. Now that the toast was out of the way and he had given them his gift, he was free to enjoy himself. And the first thing he intended to do was talk to the blonde.
Hell, he might even ask her to dance a slow one with him. Not that he was all that great at doing more than standing in one place and swaying in time to the music. He wasn’t. But if the lady was willing to let him put his arms around her and sway with him, it would be worth the risk of looking like a fool.
Ten minutes later, after listening to several more toasts for the bride and groom, Chance breathed a sigh of relief as he headed over to the table where his mother, Cassie and the blonde sat. “I’m glad that’s over,” he said, smiling. “Now it’s time for some fun.”
“You did a fine job with the toast, son,” his mother said, smiling back at him.
“Uncle Chance, would you dance with me?” Cassie asked as she jumped down from her chair and skipped over to him.
“You’re my best girl. Who else would I dance with?” he teased, winking at the blonde as he picked Cassie up to sit on his forearm. “But we’ll have to wait until the band starts. Will that be okay with you?”
Cassie nodded. “I hope they hurry. I’m going to pretend we’re at the ball.”
“Fee, this is my son, Chance,” his mother introduced them. Her smile was just a little too smug as she rose to her feet. “While we wait for the dancing to begin, why don’t you and I go inside the house to see if we can find your princess wand, Cassie?”
“Oh, yes, Grandma Marlene,” Cassie agreed exuberantly. “I need my wand and my crown for the ball.”
Chance set the little girl on her feet as the band started warming up. “I’ll be waiting for you right here, princess.” When his mother and niece started toward the house, he placed his hand on the back of one of the chairs at the table. “Mind if I join you, Fee?”
Her pretty smile caused an unexpected hitch in his breathing. “Not at all, Mr. Lassiter.”
“Please, call me Chance.” He smiled back as he lowered himself onto the chair his mother had vacated. “I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone with the name Fee.”
“It’s actually short for Felicity.” She brushed a wayward strand of her long blond hair from her smooth cheek as they watched Hannah and Logan dance for the first time as husband and wife. “My grandmother talked my mother into naming me that. It was her mother’s name.”
“Are you a friend of my sister?” he asked, wondering if she might be one of the teachers Hannah worked with in Denver.
“No, I’m a public relations executive with Lassiter Media,” she answered as she picked up her cell phone from the table and tucked it into her purse. When she looked up, he didn’t think he’d ever seen anyone with bluer eyes. “I work out of the Los Angeles office.”
That explained why he’d never seen her before, as well as her polished career-girl look. But although she probably bought everything she wore from the shops on Rodeo Drive, Fee Sinclair had a softness about her that he found intriguing. Most of the career women he’d met were aloof and all business. But Fee looked approachable and as if she knew how to kick up her heels and have a good time when she decided to do so.
“I’ll bet you worked on the publicity for the grand opening of Lassiter Grill,” he speculated, motioning for one of the waiters carrying a tray of filled champagne flutes. Asking the man to bring him a beer, Chance took one of the glasses of bubbling pink wine and handed it to Fee. “My cousin Dylan said he couldn’t have been happier with the way you handled the opening.”
“I didn’t see you that evening,” she commented.
He shook his head. “No, I had to be over in Laramie on business that day and didn’t get back in time.”
She seemed to eye him over the rim of her glass as she took a sip of the champagne. “I’ve also been put in charge of getting your family’s image back on track what with all the controversy over J. D. Lassiter’s will and Angelica’s association with Jack Reed.”
“So you’ll be here for a few weeks?” he queried, hoping that was the case. “Will you be staying here at the ranch?”
“Lassiter Media has rented a house in Cheyenne, where they have employees from the L.A. office stay while they’re in town on business,” she said, shaking her head. “I’ll be here at least until the end of the month.”
Chance waited until the tuxedoed waiter brought him the beer he had requested and moved on before he commented. “I don’t envy your job. Our reputation of being a solid family that got along well took a pretty big hit when Angelica pitched her little hissy fit right after my uncle’s will was read. Do you know how you’re going to go about straightening that out?”
“I have a few things in mind,” she answered evasively.
Before he could ask what those ideas were, Cassie skipped up to them. “I’m ready to dance now, Uncle Chance. I have my wand and my crown.”
“You sure do,” he said, laughing as she tried to hang on to her pink plastic wand while she adjusted the tiara his mother had bought for her a few weeks ago. As if on cue, the band started playing a slower tune. Turning to Fee, he smiled. “I’m sorry, but I can’t keep the princess waiting. I’ll be right back.”
Fortunately, all he had to do was stand in one place and hold Cassie’s little hand as she pirouetted around him. The kid had definite ideas on the way a princess was supposed to dance and who was he to argue with her? He just hoped she didn’t make herself too dizzy and end up falling flat on the floor.
When the dance was over and he and Cassie returned to the table, Chance held out his hand to Fee. “Would you like to dance, Ms. Sinclair?”
She glanced at her uncomfortable-looking high heels. “I...hadn’t thought I would be dancing.”
Laughing, he bent down to whisper close to her ear. “You witnessed the extent of my dancing skills with Cassie. I’m from the school of stand in one place and sway.”
Her delightful laughter caused a warm feeling to spread throughout his chest. “I think that’s about all I’ll be able to do in these shoes anyway.”
When she placed her soft hand in his and stood up to walk out onto the dance floor with him, it felt as if an electric current shot straight up his arm. He took a deep breath, wrapped his arms loosely around her and smiled down at her upturned face. At a little over six feet tall, he wasn’t a giant by any means, but everything about her was petite and delicate. In fact, if she hadn’t been wearing high heels, he could probably rest his chin on the top of her head.
“Chance, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you,” she said as they swayed back and forth.
“I’m all ears,” he said, grinning.
“I’d like your help with my public relations campaign to improve the Lassiters’ image,” she answered.
He didn’t have any idea what she thought he could do that would make a difference on that score, but he figured it wouldn’t hurt to hear her out. Besides, he wanted to spend some time getting to know her better and although she might not be staying in Wyoming for an extended period of time, that didn’t mean they couldn’t have fun while she was here.
Before he could suggest that they meet for lunch the following day to talk over her ideas, she gave him a smile that sent another wave of heat flowing through him. He would agree to just about anything as long as she kept smiling at him that way.
“Sure. I’ll do whatever I can to help you out,” he said, drawing her a little closer. “What did you have in mind?”
“Oh, thank you so much,” she said, surprising him with a big hug. “You’re perfect for the job and I can’t wait to get started.”
He was pleased with himself for making her happy, even if he didn’t know what she was talking about. “I don’t know about being perfect for much of anything but taking care of a bunch of cattle, but I’ll give it my best shot.” As an afterthought, he asked, “What is it you want me to do?”
“You’re going to be the family spokesman for the PR campaign that I’m planning,” she said, beaming.
Because he was marveling at how beautiful she was, it took a moment for her words to register. He stopped swaying and stared down at her in disbelief. “You want me to do what?”
“I’m going to have you appear in all future advertising for Lassiter Media,” she said, sounding extremely excited. “You’ll be in the national television commercials, as well as...”
Fee kept on telling him all the things she had planned and how he figured into the picture. But Chance heard none of it and when the music ended, he automatically placed his hand at the small of her back and, in a daze, led her off the dance floor.
His revved up hormones had just caused him to agree to be the family spokesman without knowing what he was getting himself into. Un-freaking-believable.
Chance silently ran through every cuss word he’d ever heard, then started making up new ones. He might be a Lassiter, but he wasn’t as refined as the rest of the family. Instead of riding a desk in some corporate office, he was on the back of a horse every day herding cattle under the wide Wyoming sky. That’s the way he liked it and the way he intended for things to stay. There was no way in hell he was going to be the family spokesman. And the sooner he could find a way to get that across to her, the better.
Two (#ulink_dd474959-cc52-5508-9c27-977703adfd73)
The following day, Fee programed the GPS in her rented sports car to guide her to the restaurant where she would be meeting Chance for lunch. After their dance last night, he had insisted that they needed to talk more about his being the family spokesman and she had eagerly agreed. She was looking forward to getting her campaign started and his sister’s wedding reception hadn’t been the right time or place to discuss what she needed Chance to do.
When the GPS instructed her to turn north, Fee nervously looked around and realized she was heading in the same direction they’d driven the afternoon before on the way out of Cheyenne to the wedding. Sage and Colleen had invited her to accompany them to the Big Blue ranch for the wedding because she was alone in town and unfamiliar with the area. She’d been more than happy to accept the offer because her biggest concern when she’d learned that she would be spending more time in Wyoming was the fact that she was going to be completely out of her element. She had been born and raised in the San Fernando Valley and the closest she had ever been to a rural setting was her grandmother’s pitiful attempt at a vegetable garden on the far side of her swimming pool in Sherman Oaks.
When the GPS indicated that her destination was only a few yards ahead, she breathed a sigh of relief that she wouldn’t have to venture out of the city on her own. Turning into the gravel parking lot of a small bar and grill, she smiled when she parked next to a white pickup truck with Big Blue Ranch painted on the driver’s door. Chance was leaning against the front fender with his arms folded across his wide chest and his booted feet crossed casually at the ankles.
Lord have mercy, the man looked good! If she’d thought he looked like a cowboy the night before in his white shirt, black sport jacket and black hat, it couldn’t compare to the way he looked today. Wearing a blue chambray shirt, jeans and a wide-brimmed black cowboy hat, he was the perfect example of a man who made his living working the land. The type of man men could relate to and women would drool over.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long,” she said when he pushed away from the truck to come around the car and open her door.
“I’ve only been here a couple of minutes,” he said, smiling as he offered his hand to help her out of the car.
Her breath caught. Chance Lassiter was extremely handsome at any time, but when he smiled he was downright devastating. She had noticed that about him the night before, but attributed her assessment to the excitement she’d felt at finding the perfect spokesman to represent his family. But now?
She frowned as she chided herself for her foolishness. Her only interest in the man or his looks was for the purpose of improving his family’s image. Nothing more.
But when she placed her hand in his, a delightful tingling sensation zinged up her arm and Fee knew her reaction to his smile had nothing whatsoever to do with being anxious to start her ad campaign and everything to do with Chance’s raw sexuality. He wasn’t as refined as the men she knew in Los Angeles, but something told her that he was more of a man than any of them ever dreamed of being. She took a deep breath and ignored the realization. Her interest in him was strictly business and that’s the way it was going to stay. Maybe if she reminded herself of that fact enough, she would remember it.
“I have some of the mock-ups of the print ads I’d like to run,” she said, reaching for her electronic tablet in the backseat.
“Let’s have lunch and talk before we get into any of that,” he said, guiding her toward the entrance to the restaurant.
“I suppose you’re right,” she agreed as they walked inside. “I’m just excited about starting this project.”
His deep chuckle sent a warmth coursing throughout her body. “Your enthusiasm shows.”
When they reached a booth at the back of the establishment, he asked, “Will this be all right? It’s a little more private and we should be able to talk without interruption.”
“It’s fine,” she answered, sliding onto the red vinyl seat. Looking around, Fee noticed that although the bar and grill was older and a little outdated, it was clean and very neat. “What’s the special here?” she asked when Chance took his hat off and slid into the booth on the opposite side of the table.
“They have a hamburger that’s better than any you’ve ever tasted,” he said, grinning as he placed his hat on the bench seat beside him. “But I’m betting you would prefer the chef’s salad like most women.”
His smile and the sound of his deep baritone sent a shiver coursing through her. The man’s voice alone would charm the birds out of the trees, but when he smiled, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind that he could send the pulse racing on every female from one to one hundred.
Deciding to concentrate on the fact that he had correctly guessed her lunch choice, she frowned. For reasons she couldn’t explain, she didn’t like him thinking that she was predictable or anything like other women.
“What makes you think I’ll be ordering the salad?” she asked.
“I just thought—”
“I can think for myself,” she said, smiling to take the sting out of her words. “And for the record, yes, I do like salads. Just not all the time.”
“My mistake,” he said, smiling.
“Since it’s your recommendation, I’ll have the hamburger,” she said decisively.
He raised one dark eyebrow. “Are you sure?” he asked, his smile widening. “I don’t want you thinking I’m trying to influence your decision.”
“Yes, I’m positive.” She shrugged. “Unless you’re afraid it won’t live up to expectations.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “You’re really something, Felicity Sinclair. You would rather eat something you don’t want than admit that I was right. Do you even eat meat?”
“Occasionally,” she admitted. For the most part she lived on salads in L.A. But that was more a matter of convenience than anything else.
When the waitress came over to their booth, Chance gave the woman their order. “I can guarantee this will be the best hamburger you’ve ever had,” he said confidently when the woman left to get their drinks.
Curiosity got the better of her. “What makes you say that?”
“They serve Big Blue beef here,” he answered. “It’s the best in Wyoming, and several restaurants in Cheyenne buy from our distributor. In fact, my cousin Dylan and I made a deal when he decided to open a Lassiter Grill here to serve nothing but our beef in all of his restaurants.”
“Really? It’s that special?”
Chance nodded. “We raise free-range Black Angus cattle. No growth hormones, no supplements. Nothing but grass-fed, lean beef.”
Fee didn’t know a lot about the beef industry, except that free-range meat was supposed to be healthier for the consumer. But she did know something about Dylan Lassiter and the Lassiter Grill Group.
A premier chef, Dylan had started the chain with J.D.’s encouragement and had inherited full control of that part of the family business when J.D. died. Dylan was well-known for serving nothing but the finest steaks and prime rib in his restaurants, and Fee was certain that was why every one of them bore the coveted five-star rating from food critics and cuisine magazines. If he was confident enough to serve Big Blue beef exclusively in his restaurants, it had to be the best. And that gave her an idea.
“This is perfect,” she said, her mind racing with the possibilities. “I’ll have to give it a little more thought, but I’m sure we can use that for future Lassiter Grill advertisements, as well as the spots about the Lassiter family.”
“Yeah, about that,” Chance said slowly as he ran a hand through his short, light brown hair. “I don’t think I’m right for what you have in mind for your ad campaign.”
Her heart stalled. “Why do you say that?”
He shook his head. “I’m not a polished corporate type. I’m a rancher and more times than not I’m covered in dust or scraping something off my boots that most people consider extremely disgusting.”
“That’s why you’re the perfect choice,” she insisted.
“Because I’ve stepped in a pile of...barnyard atmosphere?” he asked, looking skeptical.
Laughing at his delicate phrasing, she shook her head. “No, not that.” Now that she’d found her spokesman, she couldn’t let him back out. She had to make Chance understand how important it was for him to represent the family and that no one else would do. “Not everyone can identify with a man in a suit. But you have that cowboy mystique that appeals to both men and women alike. You’re someone who will resonate with all demographics and that’s why they’ll listen to the message we’re trying to send.”
“I know that’s what you think and for all I know about this kind of thing, you might be right about me getting your message across to your target audience.” He shook his head. “But I’m not real big on being put on display like some kind of trained monkey in a circus sideshow.”
“It wouldn’t be like that,” she said earnestly. “All you’ll have to do is pose for some still pictures for the print ads and film a few videos that can be used for television and the internet.” She wasn’t going to mention the few personal appearances that he might have to do from time to time or the billboard advertising that she had already reserved. Those were sure to be deal breakers, so she would have to spring those on him after she got a firm commitment.
When he sat back and folded his arms across his wide chest, she could tell he was about to dig in his heels and give her an outright refusal. “What can I do to get you to reconsider?” she asked out of desperation. “Surely we can work out something. You’re the only man I want to do this.”
A mischievous twinkle lit his brilliant green eyes. “The only man you want, huh?”
Her cheeks felt as if they were on fire. She was normally very clear and rarely said anything that could be misconstrued. “Y-you know what I meant.”
He stared at her across the table for several long moments before a slow smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Come home with me.”
“E-excuse me?” she stammered.
“I want you to come and stay at the Big Blue for a couple of weeks,” he said, his tone sounding as if he was issuing a challenge. “You need to see how a working ranch is run and the things I have to do on a daily basis. Then we’ll talk about how glamorous you think the cowboy way of life is and how convincing I would be as a spokesman.”
“I didn’t say it was glamorous,” she protested.
“I think you referred to it as �the cowboy mystique,’” he said, grinning. “Same thing.”
“Is that the only way you’ll agree to do my PR campaign?” she asked, deciding that staying in the huge ranch house where the wedding had been held the night before wouldn’t be an undue hardship.
The Lassiter home was beautiful and although a little rustic in decor, it was quite modern. If all she had to do to get him to agree to be part of the advertising was stay at the ranch for a week or so, she’d do it. She had a job promotion riding on the outcome of this project and she wasn’t about to lose the opportunity.
“Nice try, sweetheart.” His low chuckle seemed to vibrate straight through her. “I didn’t say I would agree to anything if you came to the ranch. I said we’d talk.”
Staring at him across the worn Formica table, Fee knew that she didn’t have a lot of choices. She could either agree to go home with him and try to convince him to represent the Lassiters or start looking for another spokesman.
She took a deep breath. “All right, cowboy. I’ll stay with you at the Big Blue. But only on one condition. You have to promise that you’ll keep an open mind and give me a fair chance to change it.”
“Only if you’ll respect my decision and drop the matter if I choose not to do it,” he said, extending his hand to shake on their deal.
“Then I would say we have an agreement,” she said, extending her hand, as well.
The moment her palm touched his an exciting little shiver slid up her spine and Fee couldn’t help but wonder what she had gotten herself into. Chance Lassiter was not only the best choice for redeeming his family in the eyes of the public, he was the only man in a very long time to remind her of the amazing differences between a man and a woman.
Why that thought sent a feeling of anticipation coursing through her at the speed of light, she had no idea. She wasn’t interested in being distracted by him or any other man. She had a job to do and a career to build and protect. As long as she kept things in perspective and focused on her goal of putting together a campaign that would redeem the Lassiters for any and all transgressions, she would be just fine.
* * *
The following morning, Fee had just put the finishing touches on preparing brunch when the doorbell rang, signaling her guest had arrived. “You have perfect timing,” she said, opening the door to welcome Colleen Faulkner. “I just took the scones out of the oven.”
“I’m glad you called and asked me over.” Colleen smiled. “Sage is out of town for the day and I can definitely use a break from all of the wedding plans.”
“Have you set a date yet?” Fee asked as she led the way down the hall to the kitchen.
“No.” Seating herself at the table in the breakfast nook, Colleen paused a moment before she continued, “Sage is hoping if we wait a bit, things will settle down with Angelica.”
Pouring them each a cup of coffee, Fee set the mugs on the polished surface and sat down on the opposite side of the small table. “When I saw her at the wedding the other night, I could tell she’s still extremely frustrated with the situation. Has she given up the idea of contesting her father’s will?” Fee asked gently.
She didn’t want to pry, but it was no secret that Angelica Lassiter and the rest of the family were still at odds, nor was there any mystery why. The young woman wanted to break the will and regain control of Lassiter Media, while the rest of the family were reluctant to go against J.D.’s last wishes or bring into question the other terms of the will and what they had inherited.
“I don’t think she’s going to give up anytime soon,” Colleen admitted, shaking her head. “Angelica is still questioning her father’s motives and how much influence Evan McCain had in J.D.’s decision to take control of Lassiter Media away from her.” Colleen gave Fee a pointed look. “But J.D. had his reasons and believe me, he knew what he was doing.”
Fee had no doubt that Colleen knew why J. D. Lassiter had divided his estate the way he had—leaving his only daughter with practically no interest in Lassiter Media. Colleen had been his private nurse for some time before his death and she and J.D. had become good friends. He had apparently trusted Colleen implicitly, and with good reason. To Fee’s knowledge, Colleen hadn’t revealed what she knew about the matter to anyone.
“I just hope that I’m able to turn public opinion around on the matter,” Fee said, dishing up the breakfast casserole and crisp bacon she had made for their brunch. “The Lassiters have for the most part been known as a fairly close, happy family and that image has taken its share of hits lately.” She didn’t want to mention that Sage had distanced himself from J.D. sometime before the older Lassiter died or that they had never really resolved the estrangement. It was none of her business, nor did it have anything to do with her ad campaign.
“The tabloids are having a field day with all this,” Colleen agreed. They were silent for several long moments before she spoke again. “I’m a very private person and I’m not overly thrilled by the idea, but if you can use our wedding plans in some way to shift the focus away from whatever legal action Angelica is planning, I suppose it would be all right.”
Taken by surprise at such a generous offer, Fee gave the pretty nurse a grateful smile. “Thank you, Colleen. But I know how intrusive that would be for you and Sage during a very special time in your lives.”
“If it will help the Lassiters, I’ll adjust,” Colleen answered, looking sincere. “I love this family. They’re very good people and they’ve welcomed me with open arms. I want to help them in any way I can.”
Smiling, Fee nodded. “I can understand. But I think—at least I hope—I’ve found the perfect angle for my campaign and won’t have to use your wedding.”
“Really?” Colleen looked relieved. “May I ask what you’re planning?”
As she explained some of her ideas for the videos and print ads featuring Chance as the family spokesman, Fee sighed. “But he’s not overly happy about being in front of the camera. In fact, he’s invited me to stay at the Big Blue for the next two weeks to prove to me that he’s completely unsuitable.”
Colleen grinned. “And I’m assuming you’re going to use that time to convince him the exact opposite is true.”
“Absolutely,” Fee said, laughing. “He has no idea how persistent I can be when I know I’m right.”
“Well, I wish you the best of luck with that,” Colleen said, reaching for a scone. “I’ve heard Sage mention how stubborn Chance could be when they were kids.”
Fee grinned. “Then I’d say he’s met his match because once I’ve made up my mind I don’t give up.”
“The next couple of weeks should be very interesting on the Big Blue ranch,” Colleen said, laughing. “What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall when the two of you butt heads.”
“I’m not only hoping to have his agreement within a week, I’d like to get a photographer to start taking still shots for the first print ads,” Fee confided in her new friend. “Most of those will start running by the end of the month.”
“It sounds like you have things under control.” Colleen took a sip of her coffee. “I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you get Chance to go along with all of it.”
“Thanks,” Fee said, nibbling on her scone.
She didn’t tell Colleen, but she had to get him on board. Her entire campaign was based on him and his down-to-earth cowboy persona. The Lassiter family had been ranching in Wyoming for years before Lassiter Media became the communications giant it was today. Besides the down-to-earth appeal of a cowboy, it just made sense to capitalize on the family’s Western roots. She wasn’t going to let a little thing like Chance’s reluctance to be in front of the camera deter her from what she knew would be an outstanding promotion.
* * *
On Monday afternoon when Chance parked his truck in front of the house Lassiter Media had rented for visiting executives, he felt a little guilty about the deal he had made with Fee. He had promised that he would consider her arguments for his being part of her PR campaign and he did intend to think about it.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to help the family; he just couldn’t see why one of his cousins wasn’t more suitable for the job of spokesman or for that matter, even his mother. She was the family matriarch and had been since his aunt Ellie had died over twenty-eight years ago. They all knew more about Lassiter Media than he did. He was a rancher and had been all of his life. That’s the way he liked it and wanted it to stay. Besides, he’d never been the type who felt the need to draw a lot of attention to himself. He had always been comfortable with who he was and hadn’t seen any reason to seek out the approval of people whose opinions of him didn’t matter.
All he wanted was to get to know Fee better and that was the main reason he’d suggested that she stay with him on the ranch. They could have some fun together and at the same time, he could prove to her that he wasn’t the man she needed for her ad campaign. He knew she wasn’t going to give up easily and would probably still insist that he was the best choice. But he seriously doubted she was going to make a lot of headway with her efforts.
Getting out of the truck, he walked up to the front door and raised his hand to ring the bell just as Fee opened it. “Are you ready to go?” he asked as his gaze wandered from her head to her toes.
Dressed in khaki slacks and a mint-green blouse, she’d styled her long blond hair in loose curls, making her look more as if she was ready for a day of shopping in some chic, high-end boutique than going to stay at a working cattle ranch. He hadn’t thought it was possible for the woman to be any prettier than she had been two days ago when they’d had lunch, but she’d proved him wrong.
“I think I’m about as ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, pulling a bright pink suitcase behind her as she stepped out onto the porch.
His eyebrows rose when he glanced down at the luggage. It was big enough to fit a body and if the bulging sides were any indication, there just might be one in there already. It was completely stuffed and he couldn’t imagine what all she had in it.
“Think you have enough clothes to last you for two weeks?” he asked, laughing.
“I wasn’t sure what I would need,” she answered, shrugging one slender shoulder. “Other than attending the wedding the other night, I’ve never been on a ranch before.”
“My place does have the convenience of a washer and dryer,” he quipped.
“I thought it would,” she said, giving him one of those long-suffering looks women give men they think are a little simpleminded. “That’s why I packed light.”
When he picked up the suitcase, he frowned. The damn thing weighed at least as much as a tightly packed bale of hay. If this was her idea of “packing light,” he couldn’t imagine how many pieces of luggage she’d brought with her for her stay in Cheyenne.
Placing his other hand at the small of her back, he noticed she was wearing a pair of strappy sandals as he guided her out to his truck. “I’m betting you don’t have a pair of boots packed in here,” he said, opening the rear door on the passenger side of the club cab to stow the suitcase.
“No. I didn’t expect to be needing them,” she answered. She paused a moment before she asked, “What would I need them for?”
He laughed. “Oh, just a couple of things like walking and riding.”
“I...I’m going to be riding?” she asked, sounding a little unsure. “A...horse?”
“Yup.” He closed the rear door, then turned to help her into the front passenger seat. “Unless you want me to saddle up a steer so you can give that a try.”
She vigorously shook her head. “No.”
“You do know how to ride, don’t you?”
There was doubt in her pretty blue eyes when she looked at him and he knew the answer before she opened her mouth. “The closest I’ve ever been to a horse is seeing them in parades.”
“Don’t worry. It’s pretty easy. I’ll teach you,” he said, giving her what he hoped was an encouraging smile as he placed his hands around her waist.
“W-what are you doing?” she asked, placing her hands on his chest. The feel of her warm palms seemed to burn right through the fabric and had him wondering how they would feel on his bare chest.
“You’re short and...the truck is pretty tall,” he said, trying to ignore the hitch he’d suddenly developed in his breathing. “I thought I’d help you out.”
“I assure you, I could climb into the truck,” she said.
“I’m sure you could,” he said, smiling. “But you want to shoot me a break here? I’m trying to be a gentleman.”
Staring down at her, it was all he could do to keep from covering her lips with his and kissing her until the entire neighborhood was thoroughly scandalized. His heart stuttered when he realized she looked as if she wanted him to do just that.
He wasn’t sure how long they continued to gaze at each other, but when he finally had the presence of mind to lift her onto the seat, he quickly closed the truck door and walked around to climb in behind the steering wheel. What the hell was wrong with him? he wondered as he started the engine and steered away from the curb. He’d never before been so completely mesmerized by a woman that he forgot what he was doing. Why was Fee different? What was it about her that made him act like an inexperienced teenager on his first date?
“I still don’t understand...why you insisted on coming to get me,” she said, sounding delightfully breathless. “I could have driven...to the ranch.”
“You could have tried,” he said, focusing on her statement instead of her perfect coral lips. “But that low-slung little sports car wouldn’t have made it without drowning out when you forded the creek. That’s why I suggested you leave it here. If you need to go somewhere, I’ll be more than happy to take you.”
“When we drove to the ranch for the wedding, I don’t remember anywhere along the way that could happen,” she said as if she didn’t believe him. “The roads were all asphalt and so was the lane leading up to the ranch house.” She frowned. “I don’t even remember a bridge.”
“There isn’t one,” he answered. “Most of the year it’s just a little slow-moving stream about three or four inches deep and about two feet wide,” he explained. “But July is the wettest month we have here in Wyoming. It rains almost every day and the stream doubles in size and depth. That little car sits so low it would stall out in a heartbeat.”
“Why don’t you build a bridge?” she demanded. “It seems to me it would be more convenient than running the risk of a vehicle stalling out.”
He nodded. “Eventually I’ll have the road to my place asphalted and a culvert or bridge put in. But I only inherited the ranch a few months ago and I’ve had other things on my mind like cutting and baling hay, mending fences and moving cattle from one pasture to another.”
“Hold it just a minute. Your place?” She frowned. “You don’t live on the Big Blue ranch?”
“I’ve never lived anywhere else,” he admitted. “I just don’t live in the main house.”
“There’s another house on the ranch?” she asked, her tone doubtful.
“Actually there are several,” he said, nodding. “There’s the main house, the Lassiter homestead where I live, as well as a foreman’s cottage and a couple of smaller houses for married hired hands.”
“The only buildings I saw close to the ranch house were a couple of barns, a guest cottage and a stable,” she said, sounding skeptical.
“You can’t see the other places from the main house,” he answered. “Those are about five miles down the road where I live.”
“So I won’t be staying with Marlene?” she inquired, as if she might be rethinking her decision to stay with him.
“Nope. The actual ranch headquarters is where we’ll be staying,” he said, wondering if Fee was apprehensive about being alone with him. She needn’t be. He might want to get to know her on a very personal level, but he wasn’t a man who forced his attentions on a woman if she didn’t want them.
Frowning, she nibbled on her lower lip as if deep in thought. “I was led to believe that the main house was the ranch headquarters.”
Chance almost groaned aloud. Nothing would please him more than to cover her mouth with his and do a little nibbling of his own. Fortunately, he didn’t have time to dwell on it. They had arrived at the stop he’d decided to make when he learned she didn’t have a pair of boots.
Steering his truck into the parking lot at the Wild Horse Western Wear store on the northern outskirts of Cheyenne, he parked and turned to face her. “My uncle built the main house when he and my late aunt adopted Sage and Dylan. That’s where we have our family gatherings, entertain guests, and Lassiter Media holds corporate receptions. The actual ranch headquarters has always been at the home my grandfather and grandmother built when they first came to Wyoming. I renovated it about seven years back when my uncle turned the running of the ranch over to me. I’ve lived there ever since.”
She looked confused. “Why not have the headquarters at the main house? Doesn’t that make more sense?”
Laughing, he shook his head. “Headquarters is where we sort cattle for taking them to market and quarantine and treat sick livestock. A herd of cattle can be noisy and churn up a lot of dust when it’s dry. That’s not something you want guests to have to contend with when you’re throwing a party or trying to make a deal with business associates.”
“I suppose that makes sense,” she finally said, as if she was giving it some serious thought.
“Now that we have that settled, let’s go get you fitted for a pair of boots,” he suggested, getting out of the truck and walking around to help her down from the passenger seat. “How many pairs of jeans did you bring?”
“Two,” she said as they walked into the store. “Why?”
“I’m betting your jeans have some designer dude’s name on the hip pocket and cost a small fortune,” he explained as he walked her over to the women’s section.
“As a matter of fact, I did get them from a boutique on Rodeo Drive,” she said, frowning. “Does that make them unsuitable?”
“That depends,” he answered truthfully. “If you don’t mind running the risk of getting them torn or stained up, they’ll be just fine. But if they’re very expensive, I doubt you’ll want to do that. Besides, they probably aren’t boot cut, are they?”
“No. They’re skinny jeans.”
He swallowed hard as he imagined what she would look like in the form-fitting pants. “We’ll pick up a few pairs of jeans and a hat.”
“I don’t wear hats,” she said, her long blond hair swaying as she shook her head.
Without thinking, Chance reached up to run his index finger along her smooth cheek. “I’d hate to see your pretty skin damaged by the sun. You’ll need a hat to protect against sun and windburn.”
As she stared up at him, her pink tongue darted out to moisten her lips and it was all he could do to keep from taking her into his arms to find out if they tasted as sweet as they looked. Deciding there would be plenty of time in the next two weeks to find out, he forced himself to move. He suddenly couldn’t wait to get to the ranch.
“Let’s get you squared away with jeans and boots,” he advised. “Then we’ll worry about that hat.”
Three (#ulink_cfd6864c-cb2a-5631-ab6d-f549017c1235)
Fee glanced down at her new jeans, boots and hot-pink T-shirt with I love Wyoming screen-printed on the front as Chance drove away from the store. When had she lost control of the situation? When they walked into the store, she hadn’t intended to get anything but a pair of boots and maybe a couple pairs of jeans.
She had to admit that Chance had been right about her needing the boots. Her sandals definitely weren’t the right choice of footwear if she was going to be around large animals. Even his suggestion about getting new jeans had made sense. She’d paid far too much for the stylish denim she’d purchased in one of the boutiques on Rodeo Drive to ruin them.
But when he had suggested that she might want to start wearing the boots right away to get them broken in, that’s when her command of the situation went downhill in a hurry. She’d had to put on a pair of the new jeans because the legs of her khaki slacks hadn’t fit over the tops of the boots. Then she’d taken one look at her raw silk blouse with the new jeans and boots and decided to get something more casual, motivating her to get the T-shirt. She glanced at the hat sitting beside her on the truck seat. She’d even given in to getting the hat because his argument about protecting her skin had made sense.
Looking over at Chance, she had to admit that a shopping trip had never been as exhilarating as it had been with him. When she stepped out of the dressing room to check in the full-length mirror how her new jeans and T-shirt fit, she’d seen an appreciation in his brilliant green eyes that thrilled her all the way to her toes. It certainly beat the practiced comments of a boutique employee just wanting to make a sale.
She sighed heavily. Now that they were actually on the road leading to the ranch, she couldn’t help but wonder what she’d gotten herself into. On some level, she had been excited about the new experience of being on a working ranch. It was something she’d never done before and although she felt as if she would be going into the great unknown, she had thought she was ready for the challenge. But if the past hour and a half was any indication of how far out of her element she was, she couldn’t imagine what the next two weeks held for her.
Preoccupied with her new clothes and how ill-prepared she had been for her stay at the ranch, it came as no small surprise when Chance drove past the lane leading up to the main house on the Big Blue ranch. They had traveled the thirty or so miles without her even realizing it.
Now as she watched the lane disappear behind them in the truck’s side mirror, Fee felt the butterflies begin to gather in her stomach. It was as if they were leaving civilization behind and embarking on a journey into the untamed wilderness.
She was a born and bred city dweller and the closest she had ever been to any kind of predatory wildlife was in the confines of a zoo. There was a certain comfort in knowing that there were iron bars and thick plates of glass between her and the creatures that would like nothing more than to make a meal out of her. But out in the wilds of Wyoming those safety measures were nonexistent and she knew as surely as she knew her own name there were very large, very hairy animals with long claws and big teeth hiding behind every bush and tree, just waiting for the opportunity to pounce on her.
“Do you have a lot of trouble with predators?” she asked when the asphalt road turned into a narrow gravel lane.
Chance shrugged. “Once in a while we have a mountain lion or bobcat wander down from the higher elevations, but most of the time the only wildlife we see are antelope and deer.”
“Doesn’t Wyoming have bears and wolves?” she asked, remembering something she’d read about their being a problem when she’d gone online the night before to research ranching in Wyoming.
“Yeah, but they’re like the big cats. They usually stay up in the mountains where their food sources are,” he said slowly. “Why?”
“I just wondered,” she said, looking out the passenger window.
She didn’t like being afraid. It took control away from her and made her feel inadequate. Fee couldn’t think of anything that she hated more than not being in charge of herself. But that was exactly the way she was feeling at the moment. But as long as the really big, extremely scary wildlife stayed in the mountains where they belonged, she’d be just fine.
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