The Rancher's Rules

“I truly am sorry. I didn’t realize you had such an aversion to rodents. I won’t bring any more home. I promise. As for snakes—even I draw the line at reptiles.”

Well, that wasn’t strictly true, and she was hoping Mrs. Givens had forgotten the iguana incident. The landlady’s narrowed eyes told her she hadn’t.

“I seem to remember a very reptilian creature living in your bathtub not a month ago. I’m very sorry, Miss Jensen, but you are going to have to find another place to live.”

“Please give me another chance,” Zoe pleaded, “It’s so close to Christmas. It’s almost impossible to find living quarters in Sunshine Springs.” Especially those that allowed pets.

Mrs. Givens’ expression softened, and Zoe would have been home free if Snoopy hadn’t perpetrated his trick of opening doors and come bounding down the hall. Mrs. Givens was not fond of large dogs, and she found Snoopy intimidating. Unfortunately, Snoopy adored her. He jumped up on Mrs. Givens to give the landlady a kiss goodbye.

Zoe shouted, “Down, Snoopy.”

The dog obeyed, but the damage was done.

Mrs. Givens wiped the dog slobber from her face, her expression murderous. “The time has come for you to find a home more amenable to your soft spot for animals.”

CHAPTER TWO

ZOE rang Grant’s doorbell.

It was a new experience.

So was coming in through the front door. She took in the different perspective of the imposing portico while she waited for Grant to answer. Snow covered the ground around the impressive Spanish-style mansion with Christmas-card loveliness. The house was old for the county, probably the oldest one within a hundred miles, and still the most impressive. Wrought-iron grillwork decorated every window and doorway, while the stucco glowed in the moonlight.

She took a deep breath of the frosty air, the faint scent of wood smoke teasing her nostrils. Grant must have built a fire in one of the many fireplaces. Probably the study. She could certainly stand being in front of that fire right now. She shivered and clapped her gloved hands together. Where are you, Grant?

She heard a bump and a muffled curse. The door opened. Grant’s dark hair stood on end, and the imprint of three fingers marked his cheek. He’d been asleep, but he wasn’t undressed so he hadn’t gone to bed. He’d probably fallen asleep in front of the computer again. The man worked much too hard.

His comical look of disbelief nearly sent Zoe over the edge into hysterical laughter. Although nothing about this situation was even remotely funny. She lifted her hand and wiggled her fingers in a quick wave. “Hi.”

Brilliant. Hi. That was really going to convince him to let her stay. She had to look pathetic. She tried.

Grant squinted at her. “Something wrong with your face?”

She sighed. Of course she couldn’t do a good job at pathetic. It wasn’t in her nature. Grant was the only one who thought she needed a full-time keeper.

“Mrs. Givens evicted me.”

How was that for pathetic?

Grant did not say anything. Zoe tugged at the ends of her wool scarf. “She detests rodents. Who would have guessed?” This time she tried for a look of innocent confusion. When Grant just stared at her, she gave up. Frustrated, she demanded, “Say something.”

“You rang the front doorbell.”

Zoe looked into Grant’s eyes. Were they bloodshot? She didn’t think so, but it was hard to tell with the hall light off. The outside light was on a timer, but its glow didn’t reach far into the entry hall.

“I know I rang the bell.” She sighed. “It seemed appropriate.”

Grant rubbed the back of his neck. He always reminded Zoe of her father when he did that. She frowned.

“Why?”

“It just did.” She chafed her arms and stamped her feet. “I thought you should have some say in the matter, after all.”

“Some say in what matter?”

“This matter.” Hadn’t he heard her say that she had been evicted? “The I brought one too many animals home and my landlady evicted me matter.”

Grant straightened. “I heard that part. But why ring the front doorbell?”

Couldn’t he think of anything besides the stupid doorbell? “Grant, I need a place to stay until I can find a home for me and my pets. I’ve tried everywhere in town and no one would even consider renting to me.”

It hadn’t been easy coming to Grant. Not that she didn’t think he’d want to help. She knew he would. But she’d been making it on her own, proving that her parents selling off her home and defecting to Arizona did not matter. She’d refused Grant’s offer to let her continue living in the family home. Even paying rent it wouldn’t have felt right. She couldn’t afford the kind of rent the place would have gone for on her salary as a kindergarten teacher, and wouldn’t allow Grant to offer it to her for less than the going market rate.