A Rancher's Christmas (Saddlers Prairie) by Roth Ann

Author:Roth, Ann [Roth, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Redd set down his pie fork and blew out a breath. “My mouth wants more, but I can’t eat another bite. What’d I tell you about Gina’s cooking, Zach?”

“She’s great.” Zach sat back, rubbed his belly and grinned. “I’m in the same boat.”

After finishing his chores this morning, he’d sucked it up and called his father. The stilted conversation had been worse than the one with Jim, but then he’d expected as much. He’d come to the house in low spirits, but his mood had quickly done a one-eighty.

“I’m glad you liked the meal.” Gina smiled. The shadows in her eyes had completely faded, and she looked as relaxed as Zach felt. “I like to cook but never get much of a chance at home.” She glanced from Zach to her uncle. “You two say you’re full, but I’ve seen the way you eat,” she teased. “In a few hours, you’ll be hungry again.”

“Watching football always makes me hungry.” Redd raised a hopeful eyebrow at Zach. “Ready for another game?”

“No way, Jose.” Gloria shook her finger at him. “One game per holiday, remember? Besides, Gina wants to share something with us—something of Lucky’s she found the other day,” she added, looking pained.

“Dear Lord above.” Redd put the back of his hand to his forehead. “Don’t tell me she’s uncovered another secret.”

“It is a secret, of sorts.” Gina pushed to her feet. “Wait’ll you see the box I found in Uncle Lucky’s closet.”

“Box?” Gloria frowned. “That sounds intriguing.”

Zach thought so, too, but he was more fascinated by the length of leg he glimpsed as Gina climbed the stairs. He’d never seen her in a skirt until this afternoon. Her calves were every bit as shapely as he’d imagined. She was wearing hose and he wondered if she wore a garter belt or maybe thigh highs.

He itched to run his hand up her leg and find out. His body stirred, and he nearly groaned out loud.

Redd and the cousins were shooting him curious looks, and he realized he was staring at Gina as she disappeared up the steps. He tore his gaze away and stood to clear the dessert dishes.

“Leave those,” Redd said. “Let’s sit by the fire and wait to see what Gina found.”

When Gina returned, she set an open shoe box on the coffee table.

“Those are letters.” Redd squinted at the pile. “Who are they from?”

“A woman named Corinne from Red Deer. According to the letters, she and Uncle Lucky were involved for three years.”

Gloria and Sophie exchanged baffled looks, and Redd shook his head. “I never heard of any Corinne. Lucky would’ve said something.”

“I read every letter,” Gina said. “He and Corinne were definitely involved.”

Not once in the three years Zach had known Lucky had the old rancher been with a woman, but he’d enjoyed looking at and talking about them. Zach was glad that at one time his friend had done more than talk.

“I certainly never guessed,” Sophie said.

“Nor did I.” Gloria shook her head and chuckled.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.