Courting the Cowboy Boss: Reclaimed by the Rancher

Author:Janice Maynard
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-10-28T16:00:00+00:00

Twelve

Friday flew by in a blur. Mellie subbed for one of her ladies, worked on her scheduling for three weeks out and at the end of the day went for a mani-pedi at her favorite salon.

That night she fell into bed, too exhausted to worry about her upcoming date with Case. But Saturday morning, the day of reckoning arrived. She and Amanda met after lunch to get their hair done.

They had booked simultaneous appointments. Amanda requested that her hair be arranged in a soft knot on top of her head with tendrils framing her face. She would look adorable.

The salon owner and Amanda ganged up on Mellie when Mellie asked for a similar style. “Yours needs to be down and wavy,” Amanda insisted. “That gorgeous color will pop against the green of the gown.”

“And who says I want to pop?”

The other women ignored her, their plan already in progress.

An hour later it was done.

Mellie had asked for a trim, but her hair still swung softly against her shoulders. She paid for her session and waited as Amanda did the same. The truth was, she did feel a little bit glamorous.

They saw several other women in the shop, as well—ranchers’ wives mostly, with a few girlfriends thrown in. Tonight these would be the people observing Case and his date.

On the sidewalk, Mellie parted company with Amanda. “Promise you’ll rescue me at the party if things get weird.”

Amanda laughed, her cheeks pink from the heat inside. “Nothing is going to get weird, but yes... Nathan and I will look out for you.”

After that somewhat reassuring promise, Mellie went home and second-guessed her decision a thousand times. When she was stressed, she liked to clean, so that’s what she did. After a couple of hours, her house was spotless. But she was still jittery.

When Case arrived to pick her up, Mellie felt as awkward as a preteen on her first date. She opened the door and managed not to swoon. He stood there filling the entryway...tall, incredibly handsome, king of his domain in the conservative tux that fit his long, lean body to perfection. Clearly, he was on the mend.

His lazy grin lit a spark deep inside her. She wanted to gobble him up but at the same time had the urge to run away.

He must have nicked himself shaving. She could see the tiny red spot where he had managed to staunch the trickle of blood.

As she stepped back so that he could come in, his warm gaze raked her from head to toe. “Hello, Mellie.” His tone was low and intimate. “You look stunning.” The words held a level of intensity she hadn’t anticipated.

“Thank you,” she muttered. “I’m ready. All I need to do is grab my wrap.”

* * *

Case was fully recovered from the flu, but he still felt a little unsteady on his feet. Mostly from lying around all week. Inactivity wasn’t his usual style.

The fact that Mellie had changed her mind about being his date tonight gave him great hope for the culmination of the evening.

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