Page 16 of Her Boss, Her Rancher: Sunrise On The Ranch

Not funny, he responded with silent vehemence.Not evenremotelyfunny.Cade didn’t believe in love. It didn’t transcend all things but, like everything else, had an expiration date. He had only to consider his mother’s short life as proof.

Emma rode quietly, her gaze focused somewhere beyond the reach of the headlights as they sped down the highway. Full dark had fallen, the storm blowing off to the northeast as they drove almost due west. Without streetlights or the occasional flashes of lightning, the most he could make out were brief glimpses of pale skin when the rare oncoming car lit her up.

He was desperate to understand where she’d retreated to in that sharp mind of hers.

“You’re tapping your nail to a silent beat. What song is running through your head?”

She twitched, and then seemed to force herself to glance his way, her pupils wide in the dim dash lights. “Pardon?”

“You object to a little pillow talk?”

“Pillow talk?” The question, a mere two words, was almost entirely devoid of emotion.

“You know. Talking after having se—”

“Right,” she all but shouted. “Right.” Softer this time. “Just trying to decide how I’m going to cover for my appearance when we get to the ranch. No doubt an explanation will be necessary.”

He shrugged. “Far as I’m concerned, we had a flat tire and you got out to help me. Stepped into the bar ditch and fell, ruined your clothes and got soaked in the process. You changed and here we are.”

“That easy?” she asked.

“Pretty much.”

“I despise lying,” she said on a heavy exhalation. “Unfortunately, I haven’t come up with a way around it, given our situation.”

Lying bothered Cade, too, but surprisingly not as much as Emma calling what they’d shared a “situation.” They’d address that later. For now, if a small fib protected her from a country-style interrogation and good old-fashioned ribbing? He’d issue a thousand lies to spare her, smallorlarge.

His shoulders tightened at her accusatory tone. “What’s bugging you, Emma?”

She closed her eyes and huffed out a short laugh. “I’m trying desperately to focus on what’s immediately in front of me, like composing ideas for the new travel trifold brochure for the ranch.” She popped her knuckles one by one, swift and efficient. “I’m also considering highly exclusive events a few times a year for those willing to pay a premium for the experience.”

She continued to talk about all the events and advertising material she had planned. She also wanted to write up press announcements to distribute to different media outlets before the end of her two weeks here. “That should generate an initial rush of interest, so the ranch will need to be prepared with software for managing reservations.”

“We should save this conversation for the entire family’s input,” he said when she paused to catch her breath.

“I...well, I guess I wanted to explain what I was planning. I’d hoped you could give me some feedback on whether or not these kinds of things are in line with your family’s ideals.”

“You’re asking for my input?” Surprise rang in his every word.

“Why wouldn’t I?” She shifted, focusing her attention on him. “You understand your family’s true vision for the ranch. You made it clear earlier you have a defined idea of what you want when it comes to the end result. Share your goals. Give me the best chance possible to be successful. Tell me what reservation software you’re using, what your expectations are for repeat visits, referrals, corporate affairs and such. We need to develop a stronger game plan that covers these issues and more, and we’re really under the gun to get it done before the inaugural event.”

“You’re proposing a hell of a lot of change all at once. We have two weeks, Emma—twoweeks—before the first guests arrive. And as far as reservation software goes? We’re using a calendar and pencil to track requests and keeping receipts in an envelope clipped to Eli’s Day-Timer.”

She slumped into her chair, eyes wide. “You can’t run a big business that way.”

“That’s the point,” he said gently. “This shouldn’t be treated the same as a big business. This is an intimate venture, and we intend to keep it that way.”

“But...paper and pencil? Even small businesses work better with appropriate technology. Something as easy as scheduling software and QuickBooks for accounting would make your lives so much easier. Those two things won’t take away from the intimacy of the experience. Trust me.”

“We can talk about it when we’re all together.”

“Fair enough.” She hesitated. “Paper and pencil. I’m feeling a little sick. Is there anything else I should be aware of? You know, before I get there and make a total ass of myself?”

“Just keep in mind that, besides Eli, the rest of us have always been pretty simple people. We’re as fiercely loyal to each other as we are resistant to change.”

“Great. So if I can find a way to ensure you don’t have to use a computer, upgrade to satellite internet or serve anything but beef from your kitchens, your family might be receptive my ideas?”

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t infuse that question with sarcasm.” It was all he could do to keep the smile off his face.