The Rancher's Redemption

“Hey.”

She turned as he came toward her, his smile so full of delight that all she could do was grin foolishly back at him. He hadn’t gotten out of the truck when he’d picked her up seeing as he wasn’t stopping and they’d spent the journey back exchanging local gossip and family news. He wore a blue checked shirt that matched his eyes, and his usual jeans and cowboy boots.

“Thanks for picking me up,” Bella said. “My car needed gas and Jay said he’d get it for me after his shift.”

“No problem.” He leaned in to give her a quick hug. “I’m just glad you could get away.”

She elbowed him in the side. “You knew I could. You’re the one who sent that treasure of culinary goodness, Sonali Patel, my way.”

“That was all Avery’s doing.” Billy took Bella’s hand and walked her away from the house, toward the guest center. “She said Sonali was looking for something to do.”

“Yes, Sonali told me that after she gets some practical experience, she’s planning on becoming a personal chef to some Silicon Valley millionaire.” Bella chuckled. “I told her she should be talking to Chase.”

“She definitely should, but maybe not until you no longer need her.” He opened the door into the quiet guest center. “You’ve been in here before, right?”

“Yes. It’s a lovely space.” Bella admired the dining room with its huge fireplace and the large windows looking out toward the impressive Sierras. “Perfect for a party.”

“Sonali’s brother Dev designed it.”

“That’s right. So she was telling me.” Bella followed Billy through into the state of the art kitchen, and sighed with pleasure. “Sometimes I wish my place looked like this.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty awesome.” Billy nodded. “Chase wanted it to be the best, and he’s good at getting what he wants.”

“He and Jay have a lot in common,” Bella murmured as she noticed two places laid at the kitchen countertop. “They just exercised their talents in different ways.”

Billy lit the candles and moved the bud vase containing a single rose out of the way. “I know you said you wanted a buffet, but I thought we could work our way through the courses, sampling potential beverages and food as we go.”

“Sounds good to me.” Bella put her purse on the work top, and hitched herself up to sit in one of the chairs. She’d chosen a long skirt over her cowboy boots with a silky embroidered top with long sleeves. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

Billy returned from hanging up his hat and her coat. “Nope, not a thing. I want you to just sit there and enjoy.”

Bella laughed. “It feels odd to be sitting in a kitchen and not working.”

For the first time Billy hesitated. “Would you rather sit in the dining room? I can bring everything out there.”

“No this is fine. I was just kidding.” She wasn’t sure why, but he seemed a little nervous. “It’s all good.”

“Okay.” She fought a smile as he tied a flowery apron that she suspected must have belonged to Ruth around his lean waist. “We’ll start with six cold appetizers, and take it from there.”

* * *

Billy watched Bella’s face as she sampled each plate, and tried to work out whether she was enjoying the food he’d so carefully chosen and cooked for her. She wore a red knitted skirt and a black flowery top, and her hair was down around her shoulders. He wanted to plunge his hands into her hair, and hold her still as he kissed her lips....

“Mmm . . .” She licked her lips, and everything male in him stood to attention. “This is all so good! Did you make everything?”

“Yeah,” he admitted. “I did.” He wouldn’t tell her that it had taken him all day and several trips to the nearest big town to get all the ingredients he required. “I like to cook.”

“You’ve been holding out on me.” She pointed her spoon at him, her brown eyes dancing. “You’re capable of manning way more than a grill.”

He shrugged. “I’m just glad you’re enjoying yourself.”