Rich, Rugged Ranchers. Kathie DeNosky

notes were weighing on her and affecting her daily routine. She couldn’t get them off her mind.

      “Need some quiet time?”

      The voice from behind made her jump.

      She whirled around. “Oh!”

      Logan’s face was cast in shadows, making him look sinister, but oddly enough his comment had been soft and calming. “Apparently not, since you’re here now.”

      Logan flashed a smile. His expression wasn’t one of battle. He offered her one of the two crystal champagne flutes he held in his hand. “Here, have a drink.”

      Sophia shook her head. “I don’t … drink.”

      “It’s sparkling cider.”

      Thoughtful, Sophia mused.

      As he handed her a glass, his fingers caressed hers, and she felt the impact of his touch down to her toes. “Thank you.”

      “To Ruth,” he said, and then added, “and to you. You pulled off a great surprise party.”

      Warmed by the compliment, she brought her glass to his with a gentle clink. “Thank you. But you helped.”

      “Very little.”

      He was being magnanimous tonight. Sophia welcomed it, but as she brought the drink to her mouth, her hand trembled. She still hadn’t gotten over her initial bout of nerves. Or was it Logan making her nervous?

      “What’s wrong with you, Sophia? You’ve been jumpy for days.”

      Logan had noticed.

      Sophia turned to face the bleakness of the distant pasture. She couldn’t look at Logan now. She was weak and vulnerable at the moment, and tears welled in her eyes. It was ridiculous that a little kindness shown by Logan Slade could bring on so much sentiment. “It’s nothing that concerns you.”

      He moved closer. His presence surrounded her from behind. “You admit there is something?” His warm breath caressed her earlobe.

      Sophia squeezed her eyes closed.

      “Answer me, Sophia,” Logan said.

      He made her believe he cared about her. Why else would he question her? But Sophia couldn’t place much faith in Logan’s motives. She’d learned that lesson long ago. If the notes persisted, then Sophia would confide in a Slade, but the man she would tell would be Luke.

      Sophia spun around to face Logan. “We should get back to the par—”

      “Miss S-Sophia, Mr. Logan.” Edward came running toward them, his face animated. The night’s breeze fluffed the wisps of his hair as he approached. “L-look what just came. It’s a g-giant f-flower horse! Y-you have to s-see it!”

      When he reached her, Sophia crouched down to his level. His eyes, lit with excitement, lightened Sophia’s heavy mood. “Hi, Edward. So what is this we have to see?”

      “A h-horse made of f-flowers. It’s as b-big as a real h-horse. Mr. Luke sent it for the p-party. Y-you have to s-see it.”

      Sophia glanced at Logan. His lips twisted, but he didn’t let on to Edward that he’d interrupted a private conversation.

      “Would you like to show it to me?” Sophia asked.

      Edward’s head bobbed up and down.

      Sophia chuckled and put out her hand. Edward looked into her eyes first, then shyly took her hand. “Lead the way, my friend.”

      Edward took off at a fast pace, with Sophia running on the tips of her toes to keep up.

      She assumed Logan was somewhere behind them, making his way back to the festivities.

      Secretly, Sophia was grateful for the interruption.

      Or should she call it an escape?

      Logan swirled bourbon and soda in a tumbler, his shoulder braced against the patio pillar, his gaze keenly fastened on Sophia. She swayed her hips in time with the music on the dance floor and caught the attention of every male at the party, married or not. Even the damn disc jockey was eyeing her. How could he blame them? She was a stunner in a black-sequined dress that shimmered under the festive party lights. At this time, in that dress, Sophia couldn’t conceal her luscious form. She didn’t try to cover herself up with a jacket or sweater. She was a curvy glamour queen with her hair up in a tangle, held together by rhinestone clips.

      Gorgeous.

      Hunter had her in his arms now. Every so often, she would smile at him, making mush of the poor kid. She’d already danced with Ward, Ruth’s husband and young Edward. She appeared to be having a great time, but there was something underlying, something not quite right about her tonight.

      When she wasn’t in the limelight, her expression held tension. He’d seen her dart cautious glances around, as if watching for something or someone.

      Lately, every time he’d approached her she’d just about jumped out of her skin. It wasn’t his concern, unless what was troubling her had something to do with Sunset Ranch.

      Then it mattered to him.

      Ward walked over to him, drink in hand. They drank together for a while in silence, keeping their eyes trained on the dance floor. When the song ended and the DJ announced a fifteen-minute break, the hum of lively conversation and laughter reached their ears. Sophia made quiet work of seeing that everyone was accommodated and having a good time. The food had been served and things were going smoothly.

      “Ruth is sure having a good time,” Ward said. “Your father would have been pleased to see this.”

      For once, Logan had to agree about his father. He’d been a fair and decent employer—that much he would grant him, and he would have approved of honoring Ruth’s service to Sunset Lodge like this. “She sure was surprised.”

      “You pulled it off,” Ward said, taking a sip of whiskey.

      “Not me so much. Sophia.”

      Logan’s gaze landed on her again. She was never far from his scope of vision. He’d been deliberately watching her all night. Truth be told, even if he tried, he wouldn’t be able to keep his eyes off her.

      “She’s a hard worker. Real nice, too,” Ward said. “I think my boy is smitten.”

      Restrained laughter slipped from Logan’s mouth. “Yeah. Him and all the rest of the crew. She’s no different than her mother in that regard.”

      Ward shot Logan a sideways glance. “Maybe the two women should be judged on their own merits. Or better yet, maybe they shouldn’t be judged at all.”

      Ward’s little lecture was getting on his nerves. Sure the man had status on the ranch. He and his father had been close, and Ward looked upon the Slade boys as kin, but Logan wasn’t going to change his mind about Sophia Montrose, no matter how many people came to her defense.

      “Just being cautious, Ward.”

      “That why she’s been in your line of vision all night?”

      Logan eyed him with a sour look. “You keeping track?”

      “I’m thinking you should go over there and ask her to dance when the music starts up again.”

      “And I’m thinking she’s got no room on her dance card.”

      Ward let out a hearty laugh. “I bet she’d make room for you.”

      Logan shook his head slowly. “Doubtful. I’m the devil to her.”

      Ward finished off his drink and set it down on a nearby table. “Maybe you should stop acting like one. Give the lady a chance.” With that, Ward walked toward his son and started up a conversation with him.

      Logan frowned and marched over to the bar to get another drink.

      Before