Rich, Rugged Ranchers. Kathie DeNosky

she could barely stand. The door did a good job of keeping her upright. “Thank God, it’s you.”

      “You look white as a sheet,” he said softly, as if she were a child. “What’s got you so scared?”

      Tears welled in her eyes. She put her hand to her mouth and shook her head.

      “Did someone hurt you?”

      She continued to shake her head. “I’m f-fine. I, uh … What are you doing here?”

      He held out the sequined wrap she’d worn to the party. “You left this.”

      “I didn’t hear your car pull up.”

      “I walked over.”

      Sophia didn’t respond.

      “You’re shaking like a leaf.” He took the key she was gripping for dear life out of her hand and inserted it into the lock. “Let’s get you inside the house.”

      Sophia managed to step out of his way, and once he opened the door he put his hand to her back and guided her to the parlor sofa. “Have a seat.”

      Sophia obeyed him automatically. She was still trembling as she sank into the cushions. She closed her eyes and inhaled a quiet breath to calm down. She was safe. Logan was here. The cushions gave way when he took a seat on the opposite end of the sofa.

      “What happened out there?”

      Sophia snapped her eyes open at his serious tone. All softness was gone from his voice. Leaning forward with elbows braced on his knees, he turned his head to face her.

      “I want the truth.”

      Despite her distracted mind, the insult registered. He believed that she was accustomed to lying to him and this time he demanded she speak with honesty. But she couldn’t do battle with him tonight over his remark. She was comforted to have him here. “The truth is, I thought someone was out there. I heard a noise by the azaleas.”

      “Go on.”

      Sophia looked away from him.

      “There’s got to be more than that. You’ve lived on this ranch before. You know there’s dozens of species of animals that could make noises in the bushes before scurrying away. When I arrived, you said, ‘Thank God, it’s you.’ Has someone been bothering you?”

      “Besides you?” She smiled sweetly but his frown said he didn’t find any humor in her statement. “Sorry. I was actually relieved that you showed up when you did.”

      “Now I know something’s wrong. You’re never glad to see me. Tell me.”

      Sophia sighed. She didn’t want to get into this with Logan, but her fear was very real tonight and judging by the look on his face, he wasn’t going anywhere without an explanation. “I’ve received three notes on my doorstep,” she began, and then recounted the incidents that had happened since she’d moved to the cottage. When Logan questioned her further, Sophia had no choice but to explain about the similar incidents in Las Vegas.

      Logan sat quietly listening to her, asking a probing question here and there, and once all was out in the open about her would-be Fantasy Follies stalker, Logan made an announcement. “We need to go to the sheriff.”

      “No,” Sophia said. “I won’t do that.”

      “Why the hell not?”

      “I’ve been through this before. The notes aren’t threatening and there’s nothing they can do anyway. And … I don’t want to bring negative attention to Sunset Lodge. Monday is my first day as a full-fledged manager.”

      “You were scared out of your mind a minute ago.”

      “It could be nothing. I have a secret admirer, maybe.” Sophia was grasping at straws.

      “I’m sure you have more than a few of those, but if someone is putting notes on your doorstep and watching you … you don’t want to mess with that.”

      “I don’t know that for sure. Maybe my imagination got the best of me. Maybe it was a wild animal in the bushes.”

      “You don’t believe that,” Logan said, “and now I don’t, either. Not after hearing about the notes. Are you refusing to speak with the sheriff?”

      She gave him a nod. “Yes, I am refusing.”

      Logan’s eyes narrowed on her, but she wasn’t going to back down. She’d had enough bad press and negative attention when she married Gordon Gregory. She didn’t want a media circus here at Sunset Lodge. It was a place of serenity and beauty. She wouldn’t mar that perception with the law snooping around, questioning staff and guests. She loved Sunset Lodge too much for that.

      Logan rubbed his jaw as he considered her from across the sofa. “You know we have a good security system on the ranch and at the lodge. Now I’m thinking that might have been breached. Someone on the ranch may be out for no good. That makes it my business, Sophia. And, frankly, it worries me. You won’t go to the law, and I can’t have you living here alone anymore.”

      “Meaning what?” Sophia didn’t like the way he was steering this conversation.

      “Meaning, you’re moving into the main house with me. And it’s not up for discussion.”

      Seven

      Every bone in her body was well aware that she was living alone with Logan Slade. The house was big, but not big enough to miss seeing him saunter into the kitchen in the morning with an unshaven face and sexy, mussed hair. Or notice him unbutton his shirt, exposing a sliver of bronzed skin as he headed to his bedroom for a shower. With Luke gone, Sophia didn’t have the buffer she needed to keep up the facade that somehow Logan hadn’t begun to wedge his way into her heart.

      He checked in on her in the morning at breakfast and insisted that she have dinner at the house every night. When Sophia’s eyes would light up over his concern, his expression would turn to stone and he’d remind her that safety on the ranch was the key issue.

      Sophia should have been exhausted. Putting in long hours at the lodge during the day was enough to fatigue an Olympic athlete, much less a woman of her size and stature. But the truth was, Sophia had restless energy. Seeing Logan coming in and out of the house every day, made her jumpy and anxious. They’d have brief, stilted conversations at meals, and before he rose from the table, Logan would gaze at her with yearning in his eyes. It was fleeting and reluctant, but Sophia saw it. He wasn’t as immune to her as he let on. Maybe the wall of defense he’d built up against her was beginning to crumble a little bit.

      Now, three days into her stay at his home, Sophia watched him rise from the dinner table as usual, the moment the last bite on his plate was gone. “I’m going to turn in early,” he said, stretching his arms over his head. He looked a little weary with a five-o’clock shadow on his face and reddened eyes.

      Sophia nodded. “Good night,” she said politely, then blurted what was on her mind. “I think I’ll take a ride.”

      “Where? The stores will be closing soon.”

      Sophia smiled. “Not that kind of ride. I’m not interested in shopping. I need some air. I thought I’d ask Hunter to saddle up a mare and ride out with me.”

      “I sent Hunter home an hour ago.”

      Sophia shrugged a shoulder. “That’s okay. I’ll find someone else.” Sophia rose from the table, grabbing his empty plate along with hers.

      He reached out to touch her upper arm. “Just about everyone’s gone home for the night. Why don’t you turn in and do it another time?”

      “I’m not a prisoner here, am I? I can saddle up a horse and take a ride.”

      His hand wound around her arm, gently, but only to make his point. “It’ll be dark in less than an hour, Sophia.”

      His