A Home with the Rancher Read online

  Mac stopped and looked back. Either way, Dani had a point. If he didn’t try something different soon, he could lose a lot more than his land. He could lose the respect of his son.

  Chapter Three

  This was either the best decision Mac had ever made or the worst. At the moment, he couldn’t tell for sure which one it’d turn out to be.

  “Want me to climb through the window?”

  Mac stopped knocking on the door of Dani’s cabin and glanced down at Jaxon. “No. Absolutely not.”

  But he had to do something. He was beginning to worry.

  After a night of tossing and turning, he’d gotten out of bed this morning with the express purpose of offering Dani the job and asking her to stay. But she hadn’t shown up for breakfast, much to Jaxon and Nadine’s disappointment, and no one had seen her all morning. Eight in the morning elsewhere might be considered early, but at Elk Valley Ranch it was the equivalent of noon.

  She hadn’t left yet. Her tattered car still sat in the back parking lot where she’d parked it yesterday morning before starting work. But she hadn’t answered the door, either. Even though he’d been banging on it and calling out to her for the past five minutes.

  “I bet a bear got in there.” Nadine lifted to the toes of her unlaced shoes and peeked in the window. “He probably ate her.”

  Maddie, standing next to her, gasped. “Daddy! Did he really?”

  Jaxon rolled his eyes and scoffed.

  “No, Maddie.” Mac rubbed his temples. “A bear did not eat Ms. Dani.”

  “How do you know?” Nadine pressed her nose to the glass, her expression at the thought of a bear invading the cabin much too giddy for Mac’s liking. “Can you see her? Cuz I don’t see nothing.”

  “Nadine, stop it. You’re scaring your sister.” Mac tugged her back to his side and tried once more. “Dani? You all right in there?”

  No answer.

  Mac hesitated, eyed the door then nudged Nadine toward Jaxon. “You three stay put here, okay?” He twisted the knob and cracked the door open. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  At Jaxon’s nod, Mac slipped inside the cabin. Sunlight streamed in between the gaps in the curtains, glinting off a glass on the coffee table in the empty den and spilling across the floor of the kitchen. The door to the bedroom was open. He walked over to the threshold then paused. This room was empty as well, and the only sign of Dani’s presence was a set of rumpled sheets on the unoccupied bed.

  “Dani?”

  A thump sounded on the other side of the closed bathroom door. “I’m in here. I’ve been answering you but I guess you couldn’t hear me.”

  Mac relaxed at the muffled sound of her voice. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. I just...” Her voice faded. “I took a shower and I’ve been trying to get dressed.”

  He ducked his head, shifting awkwardly from one boot to the other. “What do you mean, trying?”

  “I mean...” The door creaked open and her hand, beet red and shaky, wrapped around the doorframe. “I’ve been trying. It took a while.”

  The rest of her slowly appeared. Her long legs, encased in jeans, moved stiffly and her arms—redder than her hands—were held out to each side, carefully keeping their distance from the rest of her body.

  She looked up and flinched, the skin of her upper chest and face a fiery red so dark it was almost purple above her T-shirt. “I’m a little sore and I have a bit of a sunburn.”

  Mac smothered a laugh then cringed with sympathy. “A bit? Dani, you’re redder than a cherry.”

  “But sweeter.” She smiled. It disappeared abruptly as her cheeks stretched. “I knew I had one last night but I didn’t know it was this bad.”

  “Yeah, well, chopping that second stack of wood doesn’t look as though it did your muscles any favors, either.” Mac held out his hand. “Here. Come sit for a minute and I’ll rustle up some meds.”

  She stepped forward gingerly and took his hand. His thumb brushed across her overheated skin, the light connection stirring a sense of longing within him as he led her into the den.

  “No bear.” Nadine’s voice was full of disappointment as she slumped over the back of the couch, her chin resting on the top cushion and arms dangling against the seat.

  Jaxon and Maddie stood to the side with curious expressions.

  Mac’s lips twisted. “I thought I asked y’all to wait outside.”

  Nadine grinned. “We were worried.”

  “Yeah,” Mac drawled. “I can see that.” He motioned for her to move then assisted Dani as she lowered herself slowly onto the couch. “Jaxon, please take your sisters to the lodge and ask Ms. Ann for a bottle of aloe. Then bring it to me.”

  “You all right, Ms. Dani?” Jaxon asked.

  Dani waved a hand in the air. “I’m fine. Just a sunburn and sore muscles is all.”

  Jaxon smiled and headed for the door, Nadine dashing after him. “We’ll be back in a sec.”

  Their footsteps stampeded down the front steps then faded.

  Mac glanced at Maddie who still stood motionless by the couch. “Maddie?”

  The sweet smile she normally sported was gone, a frown having taken its place, as she stared. He followed her eyes and looked down, noticing his hand still cradled Dani’s against her slim thigh.

  He released it and straightened. “Maddie.” She looked up at him. “Will you help your brother, please?”

  She nodded then left, casting one more frown in Dani’s direction.

  Mac rubbed his hands over his jeans. “Sorry. I didn’t mean for you to be invaded this morning.”

  Dani smiled then winced. “Ow.” A soft laugh escaped her. “Have you noticed we do way too much apologizing to each other?”

  Mac grinned. “Yeah.”

  Lord, she was cute. Even if her face was the shade of an overripe tomato. His smile fell. And he was a potential employer who had no business noticing how cute she was.

  “That’s got to stop.” Avoiding her eyes, he grabbed the glass from the coffee table then walked into the kitchen. “There should be some ibuprofen in here. I stock travel packs of just about everything in the cabins for guests as a courtesy.”

  Dani made a soft sound of approval. “I noticed yesterday that you go above and beyond to make guests feel valued. You’re a good manager.”

  He fished a packet of ibuprofen from a drawer then filled the glass with water. “I want people to enjoy their stay. Besides, providing extras is necessary to attract more business.”

  Mac returned to the living room and handed over the ibuprofen packet and water. “Get that in you. It’ll help. Though you’ll probably be even sorer tomorrow.”

  She smirked. “Good to know.”

  He waited as she took the pills and drank deeply from the cup then said, “I thought about what you said last night.”

  She paused, glancing at him over the rim of the glass.

  “About time getting away.” Mac sat beside her and propped his elbows on his knees. “Time is one thing I’m short on and having another hand on staff would help out a lot. Not just with the ranch. It’d give me more time with my kids, too.” He met her eyes. “Especially, Jaxon.”

  She lowered the glass and looked away.

  “I know you decided to leave today but I was hoping you’d think it over some more. The job’s yours if you want it.”

  “I...” Her finger tapped against the cup, a wary look crossing her face. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Why not? You need a job and I need help. You’re the only applicant I’ve had for this job in months. I know the work is tough but—”

  “It’s not that.”

  “Then what is it? More pay?” He shook his head. “I’d give it to you if I had it, but things are tight—”

  “No.” Her voice was soft. S
o soft, he had to lean in to hear it. “The pay is fine. I’m just not what you’re looking for.”

  He shifted uncomfortably. “I’ll admit I was disappointed when I first met you yesterday.” Her head rose, irritation flashing in her eyes. “But I felt differently last night. Watching you chop wood after hours...” He blew out a heavy breath. “Hell, it’s been two years since an employee volunteered for overtime much less did it without my asking. I hadn’t realized how apathetic the hands had become. Tim’s about the only one who thinks I still have a chance of turning this place around and he’s so concerned with not overstepping his boundaries that he never really tells me what’s on his mind. At least you give it to me straight.”

  Dani folded her arms against her middle, eyes roving over his face. “Not always. We’re practically strangers. You’re only guessing at what I can offer you based on a late-night ax spree.” She frowned. “I may not turn out to be the kind of person you think I am.”

  “That’s even better.” He smiled as confusion clouded her features. “You’ll keep the other hands guessing. Maybe light a fire under them. We could use a little healthy competition around here.” He nudged her knee with a knuckle. “Please just think about it. Unless, you’ve got something better waiting for you back in New York?”

  She stilled then shoved awkwardly to her feet, brushing his hand away as he attempted to help her. “No. There’s nothing better waiting for me in New York. But I’m not who you need.” A pained expression crossed her face before she moved toward the bedroom. “I’m truly sorry, Mac.”

  His stomach sank and his limbs turned heavy. “I thought we were done apologizing.”

  Apparently, he’d have to count this idea of finding a new hand as another dead end. Another failed attempt at improving his chances of holding on to his land. As one more fruitless effort to secure more time with his children.

  And oddly, the thought of Dani leaving spurred an additional churn in his gut. This attraction he had to her was unwelcome but at least it made him feel more like a man and less like an exhausted, inept dad.

  Standing, he dragged a hand through his hair. “I respect your decision. I just wanted to be sure you knew the choice was yours.”

  She stopped and looked at him, surprise in her eyes.

  Footsteps pounded up the steps then Jaxon ran inside. He drew to halt in front of Dani, a large bottle of aloe vera gel in his hand and a wide smile on his face. “I’ve got it!”

  Thirty minutes later, Mac tossed Dani’s bedraggled overnight bag into the passenger seat of her car and glanced up at the clouds encroaching on the sunny morning sky. He cringed, adding up the hours of work ahead and subtracting the minutes of daylight they’d already burned as Jaxon and Nadine pleaded with Dani by the driver’s side door. There was next to no chance that he’d finish stacking the last of the hay before it rained this afternoon.

  “Please stay, Ms. Dani,” Jaxon said. “You did really good yesterday. Even Dad said so.”

  “And you’re the only girl hand here.” Nadine scowled. “When you leave, there’ll be nothing but boys again.”

  “That’s enough, kids.” Mac leveled a stern look over the hood of the car. “Ms. Dani has made up her mind and there’s a lot of work to do. It’s time to wish her well and let her go on her way.”

  “Yeah. It’s time for her to go,” Maddie said, skipping over and slamming the passenger door shut. “Bye, Ms. Dani.”

  Mac frowned at the eagerness in Maddie’s voice then whispered, “Don’t be rude, Maddie.”

  She blushed. “Yes, sir.”

  Mac walked around the car to Dani’s side and tugged his wallet out of his back pocket. “Before you leave, let me pay you what you’re owed.”

  “Oh, no.” Dani pushed his hands away and stepped back. “You don’t owe me anything.”

  “You put in a full day of work yesterday plus overtime. That’s worth more than two meals and one night’s stay.” He counted out an appropriate amount then lifted it toward her. “Here.”

  Strangely, her sunburned face flushed even redder. “I can’t take that, Mac.” She glanced quickly at the children then stepped closer and lowered her voice. “I only came because—”

  “Calling it quits already, gal?”

  Her expression froze at the sound of Cal’s voice and her gaze drifted over his left shoulder.

  Cal walked by, carrying a set of tools and grinning. “That’s a smart decision. You look a little worse for wear and we’re stacking hay today—those bales take muscle to move. If you stayed any longer, we’d find you keeled over in the barn by lunchtime.”

  “No you wouldn’t.” Jaxon shouldered his way between Mac and Dani. “She’d show you up any day.”

  Cal laughed. “Is that so?”

  Mac frowned. “Knock it off, Cal.”

  “Aw, come on, Mac.” Cal spread his hands. “I’m just foolin’ around. Besides, you know it’s true.”

  Dani scoffed. “Not necessarily.”

  Mac stilled, then ran his eyes over the ice in her blue eyes and tight set of her mouth. Well, what do you know? Dani didn’t just have a temper, she had a healthy dose of pride, too. Even with a vicious sunburn and sore muscles. And it might be just the ticket to changing her mind and getting her to stay. Hell, if he failed, he had nothing to lose. As it was, he might actually have a shot at getting a full day’s worth of work out of Cal, too.

  “Care to wager a bet on that?” Mac asked.

  Dani’s attention jerked away from Cal and settled on him instead. “What?”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Well, you’re not gonna let Cal tell you what you can and can’t do, are you?”

  The shot hit its mark. A muscle in her jaw clenched and she straightened.

  “It’ll be a simple competition,” Mac said, grinning. “We’ll split the hayloft in two. You’ll take one side and Cal will take the other. You’ll each pick a partner and the first one to fill their side of the barn wins.”

  “What will she win, dad?” Jaxon asked, scooting closer to Dani’s side and smiling.

  “She?” Cal sputtered. “Y’all actually think this gal can stack bales faster than I can?”

  “Well, we won’t know until we see it,” Mac said. “And the winner will name their own reward. Within reason, of course,” he tacked on, eyeing Cal. “They’ll also walk away having successfully proven their point.”

  “Well, hell,” Cal said. “I’m in. This will be the easiest bonus I’ve ever earned.”

  Dani hesitated, her eyes moving from Mac to Cal then back again.

  “Do it, Ms. Dani,” Nadine whispered, tugging on her arm. “Show him up like Jaxon said.”

  “The winner names their own reward, right?” Dani asked. “I have your word on that?”

  Mac met her eyes, his heart skipping at the secretive gleam in them. “You have my word.”

  Dani smiled. “All right. You have yourself a bet.”

  * * *

  GRAB THE BALES off the hay elevator, stack them faster than Cal and an unimpeded hour-long sales pitch with Mac would be guaranteed.

  Dani batted away a gnat then climbed up the barn ladder to the hayloft. That was all she needed—one hour. Once Mac heard her out, he’d understand she’d had good intentions coming here and after she delivered her best sales pitch he would see the benefits of selling his land. Or, at least, she hoped he would. Then, she’d be on her way back to New York with a clean conscience and deed in hand.

  “Over here.” A big hand cupped her elbow and steered her toward the open door of the hayloft. “Your gloves on good?”

  Dani nodded and looked up, her determined focus fading beneath the sexy pull of Mac’s green eyes. The thick waves of his blond hair ruffled as the wind surged across the field and gusted into the loft. He peered at the dark clouds building in the sky then frowned.

  “These su
mmer storms blow in fast. Time to get moving.” Mac motioned toward the group of men standing below them by a tractor. “Hit it!”

  An engine roared to life and the long, metal shaft propped at the loft’s opening moved, the chains squeaking and clanking as they rotated.

  “Jim—the guy by the trailer—will load the bales on the elevator and keep count.” Mac pointed to the loft’s dimly lit interior. “That side is yours. When the bales come off the elevator, you’ll need to grab ’em, toss ’em, then stack ’em. Cal has chosen Tim as his partner.”

  “And who’s my partner?”

  “Me.” Mac smiled. “Unless you prefer working with someone else?”

  Something fluttered in her chest. She cleared her throat, a grin fighting its way to her lips. “No. I suppose you’ll do.”

  He tilted his head back and laughed. The action coaxed her eyes to the attractive grooves lining his mouth and the charming dimple in his chin.

  Oh, how he would do...

  That fluttering sensation spread, stealing her breath. She mentally kicked herself. Get it together. Forget the silly dimple and focus on why you’re here.

  Heavy steps echoed against the wooden walls of the loft as Cal stepped off the top rung of the ladder followed by Tim.

  “Get ready to sweat, little girl,” Cal bellowed, yanking on his gloves and walking to his designated side of the loft. “Don’t think you got it made just cuz you got the boss on your side. Mac’s spent the past month smiling at tourists and pushing paper while Tim here’s been hiking mountains and building fences.”

  “Yep.” Mac tugged a pair of gloves from his back pocket then put them on. “And Dani chopped wood last night while you drank beer and hit your cot early.” He cocked an eyebrow. “So I’d say, we’re pretty evenly matched.”

  Cal’s face reddened. He ducked his head and moved to his side of the loft.

  Dani turned away, her muscles stiffening as the soreness began to return. The ibuprofen Mac had given her had begun to wear off and panic clamored through her veins.