The scent of cinnamon heavy in the air.
“Score,” the ranch hands said.
Hands clasped together in front of her, she pointed out everything she had cooked for them before turning on her heel to leave. She had a cinnamon roll and cup of coffee waiting for her in the kitchen.
The temptation to go and check outside to see if they liked the food was strong. She had tried to offer her skills to Kyle at the diner, but he hadn’t been interested. He told her there was only one cook in his diner, and it would forever be him.
Cooking was a passion of hers. As a little girl, she imagined having a large family to cook for. Her home life had never been great. Immediately, a huge wave of sadness washed over her, and she quickly shoved it to one side. Now wasn’t the time to think about all that sadness. Her family had no place in her future. She hadn’t seen them in years, not that anyone knew the truth of the black sheep of the family, or in her case, the redhead.
With her cinnamon roll finished, she put the plate in the sink, along with her mug of coffee, and got to work marinating the chicken for lunch.
She was thinking spicy chicken sandwiches, with a nice refreshing sparkling citrus drink.
Just as she was massaging the meat, Vinny came into the kitchen.
“Damn, that was some fine food.” He rubbed at his stomach.
“You enjoyed it?” she asked.
“Yes. It was so good. As I knew it would be. Those cookies you sent were the best I ever tasted.”
She smiled. It was always nice to hear how much her food was appreciated. “Thank you.”
“No. Thank you.”
She nibbled on her lip. “Did anyone else enjoy it?”
Vinny smirked. “Gabe took three portions. There’s barely anything left.”
“Do you think I can feed your dogs?” she asked. She had heard them randomly barking throughout the morning and had wanted to go and see them. She loved dogs so much. They hadn’t been allowed a dog as one of her half-sisters had been allergic.
“Of course. We’ve already fed them this morning, but talk to Gabe, he’ll take you to them.”
Vinny winked at her, and she smiled, warmth washing through her body. All three of them were big men, tall and muscular. She’d swear they were brothers, but they were just friends.
Archie stopped by next.
The ranch hands never made an appearance, and finally, Gabe came inside. He made her nervous as her fate was in his hands.
“Vinny said you wanted to see the dogs to feed them.” He was so tall and with that stern look on his face, it made her a little afraid. Or turned on. She wasn’t so sure.
“Only if you want them to have the food.”
“Nothing goes to waste here. I don’t have the time or the patience for it. Food is money. Time is money. We work hard here.”
“Of course.” Should she bow? “Did you, er, did you like the food?”
“It was good,” he said.
Was that a compliment? It sounded like a compliment.
“Come on. I don’t have all day.”
She quickly followed him outside. There were no cages or kennels. “The dogs are able to roam free?”
“Of course,” he said. “They sleep in the house. Is that going to be a problem? If you’re allergic, you can leave now.”
“No. No. That’s not what I meant. It’s just nice, I guess. I figured some people keep them outside.”
“They’re good dogs. Good boys. They’ll never be locked up outside.” He let out a whistle. “Rufus, Barney, get your butts down here.”
“Only two?”
“For now,” he said.
She watched as two giant German Shepherd dogs came running toward her. At first, she was mesmerized, and then a little terrified as they seemed to be running straight to her.
Chapter Two
Vinny watched as Annalise picked wildflowers behind the barn. The sun highlighted her distinct red hair, the breeze lifting the ends. She was really something to look at. More than that. She made him think of things other than the daily grind.
He’d always been the guy with the smile. He worked. He drank. He partied. Nothing got him down. The truth was that most days he was hanging on by a thread. He just knew how to hide his emotions well. He’d picked up that trick, amongst others, from the countless years he spent in foster care. It wasn’t much better than life with his deadbeat family.
Vinny usually focused on getting through one day to the next, but watching Annalise putter around the ranch made him think of things like family and future, which was so unlike him.
“What are you doing with those weeds?”
Annalise gasped and whirled to face his direction. He’d been taking a break in the shadow by the side barn doors. “They’re not weeds.”
Her face was blanched, her body visibly trembling.