Hot Holiday Rancher by Catherine Mann

Author:Catherine Mann [Mann, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488046896
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-08-12T18:10:55+00:00

* * *

Their interview that afternoon had gone beyond anything he’d imagined. He could certainly check “sexually compatible” off his list. Their lovemaking still lingered in his mind. He already craved her again.

Jesse paced in the sunroom off his bedroom suite, glass walls overlooking his property. In the landscape lights the pool glimmered, spa waters churning. The bunkhouse glowed in the distance. Christmas lights glinted along the split-rail fences, marking the lines of his property out in the distance.

Space, waiting to be filled.

For a moment, he allowed himself to envision what the future might look like. And what it might look like with Esme in it. He dropped into one of the wingbacks, a glass of whiskey in his hand. His memory was full of images of her asleep in his bed, hugging a pillow, her honey-blond hair fanned around her. He wanted to make the most of his time with her, and it would be helpful to know how much time he had before he would have to make some trips up to Houston. It would help to find out about the state of the roads.

Checking the time, he found it just shy of midnight. He didn’t want to wake anyone up...but then, his friend was a night owl. He typed out a text to his friend Nathan Battle, the sheriff of Royal.

Are you awake? If not, I’ll catch up in the morning.

Seconds after he hit Send, the phone rang, Nathan’s number flashing.

Jesse answered. “Thanks for calling. Hope I’m not disturbing you.”

“Everyone’s asleep or playing video games. What can I do for you?” Nathan was an imposing leader for their police force, with a soft spot for his wife, Amanda, and their children.

Jesse moved out onto the balcony. A few stars peeked out of the nighttime clouds. “How’re the roads looking?”

“We have a couple of rural routes that are washed out and a damaged bridge. But we’ve marked enough detours for people to get around.”

“I imagine you’ve had your hands full.”

“Amanda’s been on me to take a vacation once this is over.” Nathan’s wife owned the Royal Diner, an informal eatery where small-town Texas gossip got spread.

“Sounds like you’re married to a wise woman.” Nathan and Amanda had the kind of rock-solid marriage that was an advertisement for matrimony.

“I’m a lucky bastard,” his gravelly voice echoed over the phone line. “But you didn’t call me for a weather report. If you wanted to know about the state of the roads you could have phoned anyone in the department.”

“What do you think of all the jockeying for power going on over in Houston to decide who’s going to head the new club?” Of all his friends, Nathan was like a brother to Jesse. He’d served as sound counsel for years.

“I think we’ve been lucky to have our group stay local here for a long time. We’ve got a good town here and the club has made great strides since admitting women. The Texas Cattleman’s Club stands for community and family, honor and friendship, a cohesive force to support each other and do good in the community.

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