The Rancher's Rules

A small, still voice chided Grant. It hadn’t been Zoe’s response that had escalated their argument. It had been his own. He was edgy and he knew why. Her dad had called him the previous evening, after she had taken care of her animals and left. He and Mrs. Jensen weren’t coming for Christmas.

They had been invited last minute to join a group of retirees on a cruise for the holidays. Heaven knew why they accepted, but they had. Zoe would be devastated. He had given the number for the Patterson place to Mr. Jensen, but the older man had asked Grant to relay the news—said they were too busy packing to make another phone call, which was a load of manure. The man just didn’t want to have to deal with his daughter when he told her they weren’t coming back for the holidays. He’d probably dealt with enough grief from his wife, but Mrs. Jensen was an old-fashioned woman. She might argue with her husband, but she wouldn’t outright say no to him.

Grant could have refused to tell Zoe, but that would not have improved the situation. Mr. Jensen did not know how to talk to his daughter. He would hurt her with his pragmatic attitude. He might even go on about Zoe’s pets and the new mess she’d gotten herself into because of them, as he had to Grant on the phone the previous evening.

Much better for Zoe if Grant were to break the news. First he would have to get her speaking to him again, though. He was going to have to apologize. The thought did not lighten his mood.

She opened the passenger door and climbed in, shivering. “You’re late.”

“I got caught on a phone call to New York on the landline.” If he’d been on his cell, he could have left on time.

She harrumphed like only Zoe could. He imagined her little kindergarteners knew just when they had upset Miss Jensen without her saying a word. She had a look when she was mad or disappointed that left no doubt how she felt.

“What were you doing talking to that joker?” He hadn’t meant to ask, but now that he had Grant wanted an answer.

Zoe’s head snapped toward him and she gasped. She turned back and looked out the front windshield. “I do not know to whom you are referring. None of my friends are jokers.”

He ground his teeth. “The guy in all the leather.”

“I told you, his name is Tyler.”

“So, why were you talking to him?”

“I talk to lots of people, Grant. Do you expect me to keep a record and report back to you?”

“Of course not.”

“Good, because I would have to disappoint you if you did.”

He had not meant to get so off track. “Are you going out with him again?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“It sure as hell is. I promised your parents I’d watch out for you.”

“So you said this morning.”

Grant cleared his throat. The thermal shirt under his flannel suddenly felt like one too many layers. “About this morning…”

Zoe gave him a sideways glance. “Yes?”

“I’m sorry I came on so strong. I know you’re a good driver and I should not have implied otherwise.”

Zoe’s tense stance deflated like a pierced balloon. “Thank you.”

He nodded. “Do you forgive me?” He knew with Zoe that once she gave the words it would be a reality.

She knew it too. She inhaled, and then let out a long, protracted breath. “Yeah, I forgive you. Are you sorry for calling Tyler a joker too?”

Grant smiled. “Don’t push it.”

Zoe laughed. “He really is a nice guy.”

Grant just snorted. He wasn’t about to say something to start another fight with her.

“You’ll be happy to know that he’s going out with my friend Jenny now. She was the redhead talking to us when you drove up.”

He liked hearing that, but wasn’t it awfully damn fast? Less than a week ago Tyler had been going out with Zoe. “What happened with the two of you?” he couldn’t help asking.

Zoe’s laughter filled the cab with more warmth than the heated air blasting from the vents. “Nothing happened with the two of us. We were never more than friends. I wanted to fix him up with Jenny all along, but both of them were shy to begin with.”

Grant could imagine Jenny being nervous about dating Tyler. Most women would be. “Uh…Zoe, there’s something else I need to tell you.”

“Another apology? I don’t know if my heart can handle it.”

“No. Your dad called last night.”

“Really? Did you give him the Pattersons’ number? I didn’t hear the phone ring.”

“I gave your dad the number, but he was real busy.”

She couldn’t quite hide her disappointment. “Oh.”