Page 7 of Rancher to the Rescue

“That explains why I don’t recognize you,” he said like her answer satisfied one of the great questions of the universe. “He’s six years younger than I am.”

“I’ve walked right past you in the streets.” She tried to hide the hurt in her voice.

“I must have been preoccupied,” he said.

“You don’t have to do that,” she said.

He stared at her like she was speaking Greek.

“Pretend like you should have noticed me.” She had no idea where that statement came from, but it sure felt good to get it off her chest. Countless folks walked right by her on the rare occasions she was in town without so much as a courtesy nod. As much as she didn’t want or need to be the center of attention, her life could be lonely when she was in between jobs. She’d considered getting a dog for company, but she had to be away from home too much looking after other people’s pets. It wouldn’t be fair to an animal.

“Believe me when I say that I’m not trying to offend you.” His chest puffed out a little bit and his back straightened. She had no idea if he even realized he was doing it. But when he crossed his arms over his chest, effectively blocking out anything and everything, she realized she’d put him in a defensive mood.

Since she was here and the baby in her arms needed as many allies as possible, Prudence added, “I wasn’t saying that just about you. Most people walk right past without saying a word. I usually prefer not to be noticed.” The thought of all those eyes on her sent a shiver racing down her back and made it difficult to breathe.

Relax. Breathe. Repeat. Her mantra had gotten her through some packed rooms and tight spaces without losing her mind. Why did she suddenly want to be noticed?

Adam started to open his mouth to speak but then seemed to think better of it. “Do you live in town?”

“Yes,” she answered.

“Alone?” He glanced at her wedding ring finger.

“Yes.” She held it up to make it easier for him to see there was no diamond, no band, and no tan line. Part of her wondered where her new bravado was coming from. The old Prudence would have withered under Adam’s attention. This Prudence sat with her back a little straighter and held her chin up a little higher.

“Boyfriend? Roommate?” he continued.

“Neither. And, no, this angel doesn’t belong to me.” She had to admit the baby felt better in her arms than she expected. Natural? That might be pushing it.

“You said you own a pet-sitting business. Right?” he asked.

“Yes. Some folks don’t want to bother their neighbors, or they need full-time care for their animals. I mostly work with dogs, but I do have a few cat clients. Henry is an old-timer and he enjoys having company around. We leave the TV on for him set to Animal Planet, not that he’s spoiled or anything. But I do cook him fresh meat at night since he has a sensitive stomach.” And that was the most words she’d said to any one person outside of necessity or work in longer than she could remember. Had she gotten too comfortable in her own company?

“Do your folks live in town?” he asked.

She shook her head but decided not to elaborate.

“Siblings?” he continued, unfazed by the fact she’d gone quiet.

“When will the sheriff be here?” She checked the clock as her stomach reminded her dinner time was long past. It was dark outside and getting late.

“Soon, I imagine. Although, I don’t have to tell you getting in and out of Firebrand Ranch is never a quick endeavor,” he said.

“This is my first time to be here, so…” Prudence decided to stop right there before she came across as pitying herself. Not being involved in extracurriculars had been her choice back in school. Reading had always been her favorite thing to do and she’d spent plenty of summers with her nose firmly planted in a book. So much so, the high school English teacher took note and tagged Prudence as an office aid, which worked perfectly for someone who didn’t like to sit in boring study hall anyway.

While Prudence jotted down random thoughts from time to time, she never seriously considered trying to write a book despite the occasional pull. Her journal was another story. Whereas some folks had a cell phone glued to their hands, Prudence had her leather-bound notebook as a constant companion.

Speaking of which, it wasn’t like her to leave the house without it. She made a mental note to find her purse first thing once the baby’s parents were located. And on that note, she asked, “I wonder why the sheriff said no children were reported missing.”

“Doesn’t mean she wasn’t brought across state lines or not reported for some reason or another,” he said, catching onto the implication.

“What if her family is out there, somewhere in a ditch or worse?” She couldn’t help but wonder. Her mind had a habit of snapping to the worse possible scenario.

“A baby her age wouldn’t exactly be able to unstrap herself from a car seat and walk through the woods on her own,” he reasoned. “There is probably a logical explanation.”

“I just wish I could remember how I found her,” she said, drawing a blank on the entire day. “I don’t even remember going to check on Henry, but that has to be the reason I’m here.”

“About that…does your head hurt when you move it?” A look of concern darkened his otherwise perfect features. He had the kind of sturdy chin and chiseled jawline that ladies drooled over in magazines.