The Rancher's Untamed Heart

Something Sarah had said was bugging me, though.

Why would Herman send the Cannon Ranch inspection to her? Not only was she on maternity leave, I had been taking more and more of the ranch inspections for almost a year.

We’d even specifically told him that, and asked him to send us tasks accordingly. Sarah’s time outside of work was busy with her young family, she enjoyed quiet desk tasks in the air conditioning, and I always prefer to get out and about into the fresh air.

“Herman really doesn’t pay attention to us peons,” I thought to myself, and laughed a little.

When I’d set my desk in order, I turned to my e-mail.

Memos. Excellent. Just what I wanted.

Monday evening, my phone rang, interrupting my bad television marathon.

"Hello, Clint!" I said as soon as I picked it up.

"Hey, sweetheart," he said. "Are you busy?"

"No, just the opposite," I said, turning off the TV and stretching back on the couch. "I'm on my second episode of Wife Swap."

He laughed. "You watch that sort of thing?"

"Only occasionally, when I've had a long day and want to turn my brain off," I said, crossing my fingers. I wasn't sure I wanted Clint to know the extent of my love affair with trashy shows right off the bat.

"Are you busy this Friday?" he asked.

"Nope," I said. "I was going to go out to a trivia night with some coworkers, but I told them today I wasn't up to it."

"Why not?" he asked.

"Well," I said, turning the remote over and over in my hands while my phone was wedged in my ear, "I was sort of hoping that I'd be going on a date."

"Glad to hear it," he said. "Can I pick you up at six?"

"Sure," I said. "That's pretty early to get here from your place, though, isn't it?"

"I've stayed late so many weekends for my hands, so they could go on dates. I have a list of favors to call in the length of your arm," he grumbled.

I laughed.

"Are you sure you want to use them?" I asked.

"No better time," he said. "You want steak? I'd love to take you out for steak."

"I'm always in the mood for a big hunk of steak," I said.

There was a pause on the line.

"Was that meant to be sexy?" he asked.

"No," I said. "I just really love meat."

It was my turn to pause.

"Damn," I said. "I'm not good at this."

He laughed softly. "I don't know, I think I'm a fan," he said.

"Do you have to get off the line right away?" I asked.