The Rancher Who Took Her In. Teresa Southwick

lesson that was in there somewhere. Maybe she’d find out, and maybe she wouldn’t. And maybe she was better off not wondering about it at all.

      “Here comes my dad and Caroline.” He pointed, then raced back down the road to meet them.

      Kate watched the man stoop down to his son’s level and put a big hand on the small, thin shoulder. He smiled and affectionately ruffled the boy’s dark hair before Ty continued running toward the house. One picture was worth a thousand words, and the one she’d just seen said Cabot Dixon loved his boy a lot.

      She waited and watched the two adults walk toward her. Now that she’d seen the ranch, something about it pulled at her, and she wanted very much to stay for a little while. It wasn’t hiding out, she assured herself. Just taking a much-needed break.

      Kate had always thought she was different from other women, so it was surprising to realize that she was having a clichéd reaction as Cabot approached. She found something inherently sexy about a tall, well-built man in worn jeans, white long-sleeved cotton shirt, boots and a black cowboy hat. What was it about a cowboy? He stopped in front of her and again she could feel adrenaline obliterating her exhaustion.

      A quirk turned up one corner of his mouth. “I sort of miss the dress.”

      “It’s carefully packed away.”

      “I thought you were going to burn it.”

      “Something to look forward to.” Kate glanced down at the new sneakers, jeans and red scoop-necked T-shirt she’d purchased at the big discount retail store in Blackwater Lake. “This is more practical. And comfortable.”

      “Amen to that.” Caroline looked to be somewhere in her fifties. She was tall with stylishly cut and discreetly streaked blond hair.

      “Kate, this is Caroline Daly.” Cabot looked from her to the other woman. “Caroline, meet Kate Scott, Blackwater Lake’s own runaway bride.”

      “It’s a pleasure.” Caroline held out her hand.

      Kate gave it a firm squeeze. “Very nice to meet you. And, just so you know, I had my reasons for leaving that toad at the altar.”

      “Cabot told me.” Sympathy brimmed in her blue eyes. “He also said you need a job.”

      That wasn’t technically accurate, but she did need to keep busy. She didn’t know any other way to be. “I could use work.”

      “Have you ever been involved with kids?”

      She’d mentored some of the girls in her sport and roomed at the Olympics with a younger archery competitor, but she had never coached. Then Ty’s words echoed in her mind. My dad says you should always tell the truth. People get hurt when you don’t.

      “I’ve never worked with kids. But I was one once,” she said hopefully.

      “Funny how that happens,” Cabot said wryly. “I don’t know what I’d do without Caroline. Not only is she a good cook and outstanding camp manager, she’s great with kids. Probably has something to do with being Blackwater Lake High School’s favorite English teacher and girls’ basketball coach.”

      “Wow. That must keep you busy.” Kate had had tutors in high school and had never attended traditional classes with other kids. Sacrifices were required at the level she competed and she’d never regretted it. Not until she found Ted kissing another woman on the day of their wedding and realized he’d been playing her for a fool.

      Caroline waved a hand as if it was nothing. “I like to be busy. I like to cook. Mostly I like the kids, and being around them keeps a person young.”

      “So that’s your secret to looking so youthful,” Cabot teased.

      Kate tapped her lip and studied the older woman. “Not a secret so much as embracing an attitude. In addition, I think you just have some good genes, the kind of DNA that makes forty the new thirty.”

      Caroline grinned. “You’re just saying that so I’ll give Cabot the okay to hire you.”

      “Busted.” Kate shrugged. “But seriously, you look timeless.”

      Caroline seemed pleased at the compliment. “If I were you, Cabot, I’d hire this young woman. Now I’ve got to get home and fix dinner for my husband. We own the sporting-goods store in town,” she added. “Food has to be on the table at a certain time so someone at the store can cover for him.”

      “I see.” And if her husband looked through the outdoor magazines that were probably displayed at the checkout counter, there was a good chance he’d seen her picture in an ad for camping and outdoor equipment.

      “’Bye, Caroline. See you next week when the kids get here,” Cabot said, watching her walk down the dirt road to her car parked in front of his house.

      When he looked back at her Kate asked, “So, what’s the verdict?”

      He reached in his jeans pocket, pulled out a brass key that probably unlocked cabin number six and handed it over. “I’m willing to give you a chance.”

      “Thanks.” Relief swept through her and took the last of her energy with it. Suddenly she was so tired she could hardly stand. Not even close proximity to this handsome hunk of cowboy could generate enough adrenaline to hold back a yawn. She shook it off and said, “Sorry. That’s not what I usually do at an interview.”

      “The first part was bizarre enough, what with the dress. And now it’s technically over since you got the job.” Sympathy softened his dark eyes before he shook it off. “Caroline’s a good judge of character.”

      “And you’re not?”

      His mouth pulled tight for just a moment. “I wanted her opinion since she has to work with you. I just sign your paycheck.”

      A dozen questions raced through her mind, but the one she really wanted to ask was Does that mean I’ll never see you? The deep disappointment generated by that thought was bewildering; she’d spent barely ten minutes in this man’s presence.

      “I like her,” Kate said. “Caroline.”

      “Me, too. A lot. So don’t make me regret giving you the job.” He turned and started walking away. Over his shoulder he said, “Get some sleep. You’re going to need it.”

      A shiver skipped over her as she stared at his broad shoulders. They tapered to a trim waist and a backside that would earn ten out of ten points from any female judge. But she’d learned her lesson about looks being shallow and superficial. She didn’t know Cabot Dixon from a rock. It was entirely possible that he used women and threw them away. Just like the man she’d almost married.

      Still, the attraction was just strong enough to make her hope that when the summer was over she didn’t regret taking this job.

Chapter Two

      Two days ago when Kate had arrived in Blackwater Lake after driving for nearly twenty-four hours, doing nothing had seemed like heaven. Now she was rested, restless and bored. She sat in her one-room cabin that was comprised of a small stall-shower bathroom, full bed and kitchenette that had a four-cup coffeemaker, frying pan and microwave. She was grateful to have four walls, a roof and the small cozy space they made, but the smallness was starting to close in on her along with the realization that she’d run away from everything and everyone in her life.

      A walk before dinner seemed like a really good idea. After, she would head up to the big house and talk to Cabot about doing chores to earn her keep until camp started.

      She left the cabin and, as a precaution, locked the door. The ranch was remote and quiet and she didn’t have much to steal, but you could never be too careful. The beauty of Blackwater Lake lured her down to its edge, where she drew in a deep breath of sweet, clean air. Blue water sparkled where rays of sunshine kissed it, and on the