The Rancher's Reunion by Tina Radcliffe

Author:Tina Radcliffe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2011-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

So that was what women called a simple black dress.

Yeah, it was black.

Simple?

Anything but.

One simple black dress had transformed Annie Harris into a stunning mystery. Her dark hair was pulled back with a sparkly clip. She wore no jewelry except the pearl earrings he had given her.

The more Will observed, the more he realized there was something else different, something he couldn’t define. A confidence, an aura.

Annie was a woman. A drop-dead gorgeous woman.

This new Annie left him confused and off-kilter. He didn’t like feeling like a schoolboy vying for a girl’s attention.

Will considered the issue as he watched her from across the room. Unobtrusively, of course. The idea was to keep an eye on Annie without looking as if he was keeping an eye on Annie. Big brother, best buddy–like, he assured himself.

Seemed he wasn’t the only one with that idea. In fact, judging by the attention she had garnered so far this evening, there were quite a few people interested in the sleek mystery woman in black, and they were mostly guys.

Will glanced around at the ample turnout for the Sullivan Ranch–KidCare launch party Margaret had thrown. Annie was as much a part of Sullivan Ranch and the success they’d enjoyed so far as he was. Yet he’d hardly even caught her eye since they’d arrived.

Fact was, since the small country western band had started playing an hour ago, she’d fended off more cowboys than any other woman in the room.

Will had also seen the frequent sweep of Annie’s hand gesturing toward her healing leg, and the refusals to dance.

His ears perked as the band gathered back on the small stage for the next set. This time they struck up the notes of a popular song. He recognized the “missing my girl, got a horse for a best friend” tune. Noting Annie was alone, he decided maybe if he was quick enough, he could get across the room to keep her company.

See if she needed moral support. After all, this was her first social outing, and because it was understood that was what friends did. Help each other when needed, so to speak. Too late.

Some yahoo had her cornered and was no doubt telling her tall tales.

Will’s stomach clenched.

He must be hungry. The dessert table overflowed with delicacies. No expense had been spared for this spread. Surely something would satisfy him.

After filling a small china plate with a variety of sweets, he stood against the wall and hummed to the music, tapping the toe of his new black boots and watching the activity. From across the room Ed Reilly caught his eye. The older man gave him a nod of acknowledgment.

Will popped another pastry into his mouth. By the time the song was over the dish in his hand was empty. He frowned and examined the crumbs, wondering what he’d eaten.

The band played the introductory chords to a second number, a slow piece, this one a sweet, sentimental, old gospel ballad. Will set down his plate, and again prepared to cross the room to catch Annie.

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