Page 112 of Her Boss, Her Rancher: Sunrise On The Ranch

“Hello, Jared. Please sit down,” she said softly.

His face seemed to mellow, some of the strain melting away as soon as the words were out of her mouth. He wore comfortable clothes, black sweats and a T-shirt with Stone Corp printed over a graphic of a rugged mountain peak. Their company logo, she assumed.

“After you,” he said. Texas manners being what they were, she wouldn’t argue. She took a seat, holding her shy daughter on her lap.

“Thank you for coming,” he said, his voice low and deep and much more commanding than when he’d been in the hospital. He winced as he lowered himself down. There was a bandage draped over his left eyebrow; some reddish scrapes peeked through his dark blond stubble. His longish straight hair seemed to fall in a natural part, Brad Pitt–style. His eyes were alert, deep blue and mesmerizing, the kind of eyes it was hard to turn away from. “Is this your child?”

“Yes, this is Sienna.” Her daughter wouldn’t look at Jared. But it was okay. She wouldn’t force the issue. “She’s in a clingy stage right now.”

Jared smiled. His entire face brightened and she could see the man beneath the pain now. “How old is she?”

“She’s twenty-two months.”

“She looks like you. And that’s a compliment.”

“Thank you. How are you feeling, Jared?”

“I’m breathing and alive, getting by okay. I’ll probably be laid up for a couple of weeks.”

“You look...much better than the last time I saw you.”

“I suppose I do.” Again, he smiled. “I, uh, wanted to thank you properly for what you did. No, that’s not entirely true.I neededto thank you. You dragging me out of the car and bringing me to safety saved my life. I can’t thank you enough. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to repay you.”

“Heavens, you don’t need to,” she said on a breath. “I’m just glad we were coming down that road at that particular time.”

“So am I. It was a lucky day for me. All I remember of that night was a soft hand covering mine, giving me comfort and soothing the panic that was building up inside. And then you spoke and the sound of your voice was like a gentle balm, an angel’s call telling me I was going to be all right.”

He inhaled and his face wrinkled up in pain.

“Does it hurt to talk?”

“No. Just to breathe,” he said, his eyes half twinkling.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m Texan. You know how we are.”

She smiled.

“Cooper filled me in a little about you. You’re a widow. I’m sorry for your loss, Bella.” He spoke with reserved respect that made it seem less like prying, less like opening up old wounds.

“Thank you. It’s been a bit tough, but Sienna and I are managing.”

“That’s good. I understand you’re between jobs right now. Is that by choice?”

“Heavens no. I’ve been interviewing but...well, it’s not going—” She paused and shook her head. “It’s not important.”

“I think it is.”

She blinked, gazing at his solemn face. “You do?”

“Of course I do.” His gaze traveled over to Sienna, who’d begun to warm up a little. She was peeking at him through her spread little fingers.

“You don’t owe me anything, Jared. Honestly.” God, if he wrote her out a check, she’d be mortified. She hadn’t saved his life for a reward.

“Well, the truth is, I’m thinking you can help me and I can help you.”

“How?”