The Rancher's Rules

“They got invited on a seniors’ cruise for the holidays.”

“That’s wonderful.” She smiled. “I’m glad they’re settling in so well. I was a little worried about Mom. She’s so shy around strangers. I’m sure it disappointed her to tell her new friends no. There will be other cruises, though.”

Zoe’s concern for her mom’s feelings made the news that they weren’t coming even more obscene in Grant’s mind. “They didn’t say no. Your parents aren’t coming out for Christmas.”

“What do you mean? Of course they are coming. We’ve been planning the trip since before I visited them at Thanksgiving.”

He reached across the seat and pressed his fingers around her arm. “They changed their minds.”

“They changed their minds about spending Christmas with me?” She made it sound every bit as bad as it was.

“It’s not the end of the world, Zoe. Just think, you get to avoid the yearly Christmas argument with your dad.”

“We don’t have those anymore.” He grunted, and she said, “They aren’t as bad as they used to be anyway.”

“You won’t be alone. My parents are still coming, and Mom’s expecting your help with dinner.” It was a small stretch of the truth, but he was sure that his stepmom should be expecting Zoe’s help for dinner.

There had to be things besides the turkey that Zoe could help prepare. And since his stepmother would insist on doing all the cooking, so the foreman’s wife could be with her family, his comment wasn’t a real stretch at all.

Zoe did not answer.

Grant decided to change the subject. It wouldn’t do Zoe any good to dwell on her strained relationship with her parents. “Do you want me to swing by the Patterson place, or take you to the Double C first?”

“Just drop me off at the Pattersons’. Your hands are doing a great job taking care of everyone. I’m sure Snoopy wishes he could live over there permanently. He was never meant to leave the ranch. I should have taken you up on your offer to give him a home a long time ago. I’ve been too stubborn.”

Grant hated the dejected tone in her voice. “I thought maybe you would come over for dinner tonight. I won’t even make you cook.”

She smiled at him briefly, and then turned to look out the window. “No, thanks. I have work to do, and I don’t want to leave the cats cooped up in the bathroom.”

“We can stop and pick them up.” He ignored her comment about having work to do, sure it was just an excuse.

Grant would not let Zoe get out of the truck when they arrived at the Pattersons’. “I’ll just run in and get the cats.”

Zoe watched him walk away and reminded herself that at least she had him. Although she had told him that morning that she did not need him, nothing could be further from the truth. For as long as she could remember, Grant and his folks had been filling an empty place in Zoe’s heart left by her parents’ disapproval. She should not be surprised that her mom and dad had opted to join their new friends on a cruise. They’d never made it a secret that she didn’t live up to their expectations.

How could she? She wasn’t the dead brother she’d never even known, who by all accounts had been the perfect rancher’s son. She didn’t think her dad had ever forgiven her for being born female, maybe even for being born at all after he’d lost his precious son.

Grant opened his door and a blast of cold air whooshed into the cab. She shivered while he tucked the cat carrier in the extension behind the main cab.

“If you thought Alexander was unhappy about spending time in the bathroom today, you should have seen him getting into the cat carrier.”

Zoe grinned. “That bad, huh?”

“I just hope we can find him later, when it’s time to bring you home.”

“We’ve only got one more day of school, and then I’ll be there and he can be out of the bathroom and roam free.”

“Except when you’re looking for a place.”

She said nothing to this reminder of the monumental task before her.

Twenty minutes later, the fragrance of melted butter and popping corn filled the kitchen, and soon the subtle aroma of brewing coffee joined it. Grant had suggested watching a DVD when they arrived, and she’d accepted gratefully. She knew he had stuff to do—he always did—but somehow he also always managed to make time for her when she needed him.

Grant Cortez was a really special guy.

When the popcorn and coffee were done, they went together to the entertainment room. “Want to watch an I Love Lucy episode?” Grant asked, knowing the old black-and-white comedy was one of her favorite shows.