Heart of a Rancher. Renee Andrews
that rarely being around children had removed her natural protective filter for the information she should share. Abi’s attention moved to the field. “Where is Gypsy?”
“Um...” Dana looked to John for help.
His mouth shifted to the side as though debating what to say, but then the cabin door opened again and a woman stepped out. Her hair, the same strawberry-blond as Abi’s, fell in long waves to her waist. “Abi, your chocolate milk is ready and on the kitchen table. Why don’t you come on in and drink it while it’s good and cold?”
“Yum.” Abi scrambled past the group and hurried into the house.
Landon looked adoringly at the stunning woman. “Ms. Brooks, this is Georgiana, my wife.”
“Please call me Dana.” She already felt over-the-top formal in her business suit and didn’t want them addressing her formally, as well. Looking back, she knew that wearing the outfit instead of something more casual was a mistake. It put a barrier up between her and this kind family, so willing to take her in and to forgive her for killing their cow.
“All right, then,” Landon said, his Southern drawl stretching out the words. “Georgiana, this is Dana.”
“Nice to meet you,” Dana said.
“You, too.” Georgiana lowered her voice and explained, “The window is open. I heard Abi’s question about Gypsy and thought it’d be a good time for her to have her chocolate milk.”
Landon wrapped an arm around his wife and kissed her cheek. “Smart thinking.”
“I feel terrible about what happened.” Dana sensed the warmth of John’s presence before she turned to verify that he’d moved to her side.
“We live on a ranch with a lot of livestock. We’re kind of used to the fact that they don’t all live forever.” His rich baritone sent goose bumps marching down her arms. Thank goodness for the long sleeves on her cardigan.
Dana had no idea how she’d control this crazy response to the cowboy. No guy from the city had ever had this effect on her senses, where every cell in her being seemed to stretch toward him whenever he neared. She knew she should say something, but once again, staring at those two dimples bracketing his smile, she found herself speechless.
Landon turned to John. “I talked to the guy at the rental car place in Stockville. They’ve got someone on their way to tow the vehicle, so we should go get Ms. Brooks’s—Dana’s—things out before they haul it.”
“All right.” John turned to Dana. “You good to stay here with Georgiana and Abi while we get your luggage?”
Thankfully, her brain started working again, and she found words. “Sure.”
“They’re getting you another vehicle, but it won’t be delivered until tomorrow afternoon. That okay?” Landon asked. “You can use one of ours in the meantime if you need to go anywhere. But you should know that Georgiana already canceled your room at the bed-and-breakfast. We want you to stay here.”
“Technically it isn’t canceled, but I told the Tingles that we planned on your staying at the ranch, unless you’d rather not,” Georgiana said. “But I can’t imagine you’d enjoy being in a tiny room cooped up over the next few weeks. Out here you can have run of the place and the land. Plus, you’ll be able to visit the farm firsthand every day, be around the horses. And you’ve probably already figured out how much we love having company.”
“That’s fine.” Dana was surprised that the family so easily took her in, working her into the day effortlessly. “I appreciate all your help.”
“Not a problem at all.” Georgiana’s smile claimed her face, and Dana was taken aback by her natural beauty. Hazel eyes in a heart-shaped face, copper freckles, bright smile. In a green T-shirt, denim capris and bare feet, she looked as pretty as any model.
“Georgiana, Dana isn’t exactly dressed for the farm, and since we might be gone a little while, do you think you could get her something more comfortable to wear?” John asked, then added, “Right now, she’s wearing a suit and heels.”
Dana wondered why John described what she wore, since Georgiana looked directly at her, and then the pieces clicked into place. The beautiful woman was blind.
“Oh, my, you broke down and had to walk all that way in a suit?” Georgiana asked. “Bless your heart. Yes, come on in, and we’ll find you something to wear. Abi can help. She loves picking out clothes. She helps me all the time.” Georgiana laughed. “It’s kind of hard for me to match things, you know.”
“Georgiana will take care of you until we get back.” John’s voice was quiet, and Dana turned to see that his eyes held an admiration and kindness toward his sister-in-law. He was right; regardless of her disability, Georgiana wanted to take care of her guest, and Dana wanted to let her.
“That’s fine,” she turned to Georgiana. “I’d love to borrow something, if you don’t mind. And I’ll call the bed-and-breakfast and let them know I’m officially canceling my reservation.”
Georgiana clasped her hands together. “Wonderful. We’re so glad you’ll be staying with us.”
“One thing, though, Georgiana,” Landon said.
“What’s that?”
“She’s got a good four or five inches of height on you. Probably want to consider that when you’re finding her clothes.”
Georgiana’s grin showcased the copper freckles on her cheeks and the hazel in her eyes. “So if she wears my pants, we’re talking high waters.” She lifted a shoulder. “Not a problem. I hear capris are in this year.” She waved a hand toward her own outfit.
Dana already liked the woman. “You heard right. They definitely are.”
“We’ll have dinner ready when y’all get back so John can eat before he heads to work,” Georgiana said to the rugged cowboys walking toward an old blue truck, their boots kicking up a bit of dust as they moved.
“Sounds great.” John climbed into the passenger side of the old pickup, looked at Dana and knuckled his Stetson. “Oh, by the way, welcome to the ranch.”
She stood beside Georgiana and watched them drive away, mesmerized with the lifestyle so different than her own. And equally mesmerized by the breathtaking cowboy with the sexy smile, and eyes that looked like honey in the sunshine.
“Come on, we’ll go get you some clothes.” Georgiana took a couple of steps, opened the door and led the way inside. If Dana didn’t know she was blind, she wouldn’t have been able to tell.
They entered the log cabin, and Dana viewed the beauty of plank wood ceilings, hardwood floors, exposed beams and a huge stone fireplace. Even the furnishings were rustic but homey. “Your room is upstairs, on the left. I’ll show you.” Georgiana started up the stairs. “Abi, you can come help me pick out some of my clothes for Miss Dana to wear if you’re done with your milk.”
“Cool!” Abi abandoned her spot at the kitchen table and ran toward the stairs.
“I didn’t hear you put your glass in the sink.” Georgiana’s motherly tone was endearing.
“Oh, yeah, right.” Abi turned, ran back to the table and moved her empty glass to the sink. Then she darted back across the living area to pass them going up the stairs. “I’ll go pick out something nice.”
Georgiana laughed. “Abi loves to help.” She slid her hand along the wall until it met the first door facing and then pointed to the open door. “That’s your room. There is an adjoining bathroom, and you should have all the linens and things you need, but if anything is missing, just let me know. We really are glad you’re here.”
Dana peeked in. A multicolored quilt covered the bed and another hung over a quilt rack near the window. Antique furniture filled the room with crocheted doilies