Raising the Rancher's Family by Patricia Thayer

Author:Patricia Thayer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2007-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

The next morning, Holt got up at dawn, but there weren’t any sounds from Leah’s room as he passed by. Corey was already in the kitchen and starting breakfast. Holt had to admit that the boy was a hard worker.

“Mornin’, Holt. Zach said you and him are going to move the herd today. I was wondering, since I cleaned my room, if I could go with you?

Holt knew how hard the boy had worked the past week to learn to ride. And he’d done pretty well. Holt also remembered all the times he’d wanted to go places with his grandfather, but the man seldom had time for him. Zach was right, a boy needed to prove himself.

“It’s going to be a long morning. You sure you’re up for it?”

Corey’s eyes widened in expectation. The freckles across his nose and cheeks seemed to become more prominent. “Zach said I can handle it. He’s been teaching me to rope and cut a calf from his mama.”

“I guess there’s no better teacher than Zach. He’s been doing it for a long time. He even taught me.”

“I know.” Corey took a pitcher of orange juice from the refrigerator. “Zach said you turned out to be a pretty good cowboy, too—for a city boy.”

“He did, did he? That’s high praise. Well, if he thinks you’re ready, then I suppose you are.”

Those blue eyes rounded. “Really? I can go?”

Holt nodded.

The boy let out a loud whoop. But before Holt could quiet him down, Leah appeared in the doorway, her hair mussed, her dark bedroom eyes still heavy from sleep. Dressed in a conservative pink cotton robe, with a print gown underneath, she exposed just enough of her leg to cause his blood to race.

“What’s going on in here?” she asked.

“Sorry, we didn’t mean to wake you,” Holt said.

Corey went running to her. “Leah, Holt says I can go to help move the herd today.”

“That’s great,” she said, then looked at Holt and smiled. “Guess that makes you an official ranch hand then.”

“I’ve got to get my boots and my hat.” The boy ran out of the room.

Leah smiled tentatively at Holt. She’d tried to stay in bed until he had left the house. She was still vulnerable from their middle of the night encounter. He’d learned more about her than her own family. What amazed her was he just let her talk and cry it out. And the sexy cowboy hadn’t taken advantage of the situation. He was so not the man she once thought he was. Why did he try so hard to hide this side of himself?

Leah marched across the room and stood in front of him. “Looks like you’re playing hero again.”

“It’s not my intention,” he said uncomfortably. “But it’s not going to hurt Corey to come along.”

“Well, whatever, you’ve made a little boy pretty happy. And thank you for helping me out last night, too.” She rose up on her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to meet hers.

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