Home on the Ranch: Texas Wedding

Renata chewed slowly, giving herself permission to fully enjoy the bite of heaven in her mouth. She’d been fighting a stomach bug for a few days and hadn’t eaten a thing all day. And now? She was upset, but this pie... Delicious. A slight groan escaped, drawing all eyes.

“Sorry.” She covered her mouth with her hand.

But she didn’t miss the tightening of Ash’s jaw, or the whiteness of his knuckles as he held his fork. “I agree with Renata. This is the best pie I’ve ever eaten.”

She nearly choked on her pie when he said her name. The husky timbre sent all sorts of warm tingles along every nerve ending. Her name, that tone, pulled an especially bone-melting memory front and center. Ash, braced over her, flushed and breathing heavy...saying her name. The temperature in the room shot up a good twenty degrees.

Fisher, on the other hand, was like a dog with a bone. “You’re acting funny. You sure you’re okay?”

She nodded, shoveling another bite of pie into her mouth.

“Maybe you’re working too hard?” Fisher pushed. “Right now is one of the busiest times of year for her. Between parades and festivals, float and gingerbread competitions, she needs a holiday to recover from the holidays.” Fisher shook his head, leaning toward Ash to continue. “She takes on too much sometimes.”

She swallowed and smiled at her brother. “And you worry too much.” Another bite of pie. No more talking. Talking was bad.

“Maybe. Maybe not. Blame it on the twin thing but you’re keeping secrets, I can tell.” Fisher was watching her. “And you don’t keep secrets. Ever. So, yeah, I’m worrying. You tell me—should I?”

She froze, fork midair, stunned by her brother’s intuition. She’d underestimated him. Seriously underestimated. She sucked in a deep breath, inhaling part of Kylee’s delicious pie instead of swallowing it.

“Fisher.” Kylee placed a hand on Fisher’s arm, her dark eyes full of reproach.

Fisher frowned.

She waved one hand, pressing another one to her chest. But her coughing continued.

“Renata.” Ash was up, refilling her water glass. “You’re choking.”

She gulped down more water and drew in a deep breath. “Fine.” More coughing. Another sip and it was a little easier to breathe.

Ash squatted by her side, those gorgeous light gray eyes watching her.

Don’t look at him. Bad idea. She tore her gaze from his. One more long drink of water. “I’m not choking.” The words were tight and irritated. At least she wasn’t choking anymore.

But Ash was still watching her. A man shouldn’t be beautiful like he was.

“Really,” she said, clearing her throat. The whole choking-from-near-public-humiliation thing was forgotten now—but now there was that electrified air humming between them to deal with. Last time they’d given in. This time, they had an audience.

She needed to shut out the fact that he smelled better than a fresh-out-of-the-oven gingerbread cookie and looked good enough to eat. Immediately. Her mouth went dry and every inch of her tightened with want. She cleared her throat again. “Go...eat your pie,” she all but pleaded. Before her brother’s spot-on twin senses picked up on something they shouldn’t.

Ash smiled then—and it was one hell of a smile. “Yes, ma’am.”

Even after he’d returned to his place, and his pie, she was distracted. He was distracting—all gorgeous and manly with his shirtsleeves rolled up. Even his hands were distracting. Big and strong. And oh so capable of making her experience the most incredibly intense and bone-melting sensations.

She shot a look at Kylee, then Fisher, both enjoying the conversation she was completely oblivious to. What was wrong with her? The three of them were talking about things like holidays and festivals and sharing a laugh—appropriate adult conversation. While she was thinking about Ash’s hands on her body, thinking about that night. During a family dinner.

She needed to snap out of it.

“The first-place gingerbread house was devoured by the donkey that was carrying Mary to the church Christmas pageant about the same time the children’s choir was struck by a stomach bug.” Fisher shook his head. “Well, one kid started throwing up and it started a chain reaction. It was a sight to see. I can’t guarantee we’ll have that sort of excitement, but there’s no shortage of entertainment,” Fisher said, laughing. “You remember that?”

She nodded.

“Sounds like fun.” Ash chuckled along with her brother—completely at ease the whole evening.

“That’s one way to put it.” Kylee was all smiles. “Where are you staying?”

“He’s at the Lodge,” Fisher answered for him. “I spoke with my father earlier. You don’t have to eat in the guest dining room. My father, his wife, Clara, and Renata all eat in the family kitchen. The food is good and the company even better. Plus, I think you’ll like my father. He’s a

good man. Knows everyone in town. Might be able to find you a place.” He nodded. “Renata can show you where it is when you get back.”