The Rancher's Redemption

She looked okay for her age; she was definitely plump and bosomy, but that never seemed to worry most men. After Ron had died, she’d had the occasional boyfriend, but only rarely had such a relationship led to sex. She missed it. She’d been good at it.

Chuckling at her own boast, Bella made her way into her bedroom. Tomorrow she was going to call Billy Morgan and ask his advice about something....

Not about sex—although when she’d kissed him, she’d got an unexpected kick out of his reaction—but about hosting an event up at the ranch. That the thought of seeing him again made her heart race was odd, but still thrilling. She lay down on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. How would his beard feel under her hand? How would it feel against her skin?

With a groan, Bella turned on her side and clicked off the light. She had enough to worry about without involving her old friend Billy Morgan in her romantic fantasies. Just because he’d helped out, didn’t mean he was her white knight. Although he did look fantastic on a horse . . .

* * *

Billy finished mucking out the stall and wiped his brow. It was weird how his four sons were so good at organizing things on the dude ranch, but often forgot to do the basics.... Not that he minded much. He enjoyed spending time with the horses, and was at peace just being around them. He sometimes felt as if he no longer had a stake in the old place, but it was in his blood, and he wasn’t planning on walking away any time soon.

He’d offered to take on the cooking for the dude ranch guests, but no one had wanted him to do that. He’d told Ruth to let him know if she needed his help in her kitchen, but she hardly ever let him assist her. He liked to cook, and had enjoyed working in Bella’s kitchen more than he had anticipated. But that might have been the company....

“Billy?”

As if he’d conjured her from his thoughts, Bella Williams stood in the middle of his yard smiling at him. Her car was parked close to the ranch house. Today she wore jeans, red cowboy boots, and a thick pink fleece that made her skin glow. He could hardly believe she’d turned fifty. She looked just like the girl he’d known at school.

“Hey!” He walked over to her and held up his hands. “I’ve been mucking out the stalls so I won’t shake your hand just yet. Would you like to come up to the house?”

“I’d love to.” She pushed her sunglasses back on top of her head where her long hair was piled up in a messy bun.

He had no idea why she’d appeared or wanted to speak to him, but he wasn’t complaining. He led the way into the house through the screen door and heel and toed his boots off in the mudroom.

“Does this visit require you sit in the parlor or the kitchen?” Billy asked Bella, who was unzipping her fleece.

“Kitchen’s fine with me. It’s my natural habitat.”

He walked her through to the kitchen and pulled out a chair for her. “I’ll be back in a minute; make yourself at home. Ruth’s out looking at the pigs with Roy. I’ve never met a ranch foreman who loves his pigs more than his horses before.”

When he returned, Bella was sitting at the kitchen table rummaging in her large purse. She looked up as he entered and took out her phone.

He smiled at her. “I’m all clean now so we can shake hands.”

“No kisses today?” she joked.

“I’m good either way.” He went over to the ancient refrigerator. “Would you like iced tea or something warmer?”

“Coffee if you have it.” She mock shivered. “It’s getting cold out there.”

“Yeah, the Sierra passes are closing up and won’t be open until late spring.”

He poured them both a mug of coffee from the pot, gathered up some cream, and brought everything over to the table.

“So what can I do for you today?” Billy asked as she stirred cream into her coffee. “Do you need my help in the bar?”

She made a face. “I’m still shorthanded if that’s what you mean, but I’m not here to offer you a job.” She hesitated. “I didn’t want to say anything the other day until I cleared it with Jay, but he and Erin got married last month.”

Billy blinked at her. “Really? That’s great, isn’t it?”