Wrangling The Rancher. Jeannie Watt

get what the deal is,” Jordan said simply. “You’ve been working with the kind of people I avoid at all costs for years, and now, after you escaped, you have one of those same people invading your space for an indefinite amount of time.”

      “Pretty much.”

      “You have a right to be pissed off, but I’ll tell you what I think is going to happen.”

      “Yeah?”

      Jordan leaned his forearm on the table. “You’re going to go about your business as if she isn’t there. She’ll do the same once she realizes that you aren’t going to put out her fires for her. The two of you will live parallel lives until she moves on.”

      “If I have anything to say about it, we will.” But she was still going to be there and he was still going to be acutely aware of the fact.

      “You know she’s still looking for jobs in urban areas,” Jordan pointed out.

      “I’d say that’s a given.”

      “And if she gets a job locally, she’ll probably rent one of those apartments on the lake.”

      “Good point.” The lake near the center of the Eagle Valley had seen a lot of development, and there were several new apartment buildings and condo complexes. The little town was growing, and he couldn’t see Taylor hanging out on the farm for a moment longer than she had to.

      “Something will come through and she’ll leave.” Jordan spoke as if Taylor’s departure was a done deal before reaching for the pitcher with his good hand. He topped off both of their glasses, then lifted his. “Here’s to all this going down sooner rather than later.”

      Cole nodded and then drank deeply.

      Let it be so.