Rich, Rugged Ranchers. Kathie DeNosky

taking a drive and we’ll be out late. That’s all I meant, little Ms. Suspicious.”

      Sophia chuckled and the sweet sound filled his head.

      “I want to show you something.”

      “Is it a secret?” she asked.

      “Sorta.”

      Sophia’s voice got higher. “Really?”

      Logan nodded. He wasn’t quite sure why he’d decided to bring Sophia to the spot he had in mind except that it was important that he impress her. “It’s a special place.”

      “For all of your first dates?”

      Sophia was fishing for clues, but he didn’t mind answering her truthfully. “You’re the first woman I’m taking there.”

      Sophia opened her mouth to say something, but then those full lips clamped down and she shot him a skeptical look.

      He shrugged. “You don’t have to believe me. But it’s true.”

      “Does this place have a name?”

      He gave her a nod. “The Hideaway.”

      Her brows gathered. “I’ve never heard of it.”

      “Exactly my point, darlin’. Now sit back and relax. It’s an hour’s drive from here.”

      Carved out of a mountainside, The Hideaway was a chateau overlooking a vast sea of sugar pine trees with bulky trunks and branches lifting skyward like regal green giants. Beyond the forest, the still waters of Lake Tahoe glistened in the distance under starry moonlight. Lights wrapped around garden posts twinkled near where Sophia stood on the terrace outside the restaurant. She leaned against a square column, looking out. Peace and contentment filled her.

      Logan walked up and handed her a glass of sparkling water.

      “Thank you,” she said, gazing out. She took a sip of her drink. The cool lime-flavored liquid bubbled and popped on the way down her throat.

      “I thought you might like it here.” He held a glass in his hand. She was pretty sure it was scotch.

      “You own The Hideaway, don’t you?” she asked.

      Logan had driven up a narrow mountain road to get here and when they’d arrived, Sophia had been surprised by what she’d found—a restaurant designed with a European rustic flare nestled in the woods. Porcelain tile work lay beneath her feet and textured walls surrounded her. The dining room had private seating areas with tufted embroidered sofas and love seats. Atop a travertine fireplace mantel half a dozen pillar candles burned, casting soft shadows on the walls.

      “You catch on fast.” His teasing smile was so genuine and rare that Sophia found herself staring at his mouth. He looked handsome in a three-piece Western suit with a brocade vest, but when he flashed his pearly whites her heart raced.

      “The empty restaurant and the little tour you gave introducing me to the chef and his staff were dead giveaways.”

      He grinned. “I can’t fool you. The food’s pretty good. The place is quiet. And the view is …”

      “Magnificent,” she whispered in awe. Her gaze wandered over the trees to the shimmering silver lake as she took in the natural splendor.

      “Yeah, it is.” His tone made her turn away from the sugar pines to face him.

      He stared at her a long moment, his eyes piercing her soul. He took a sip of his scotch and shook his head as if trying to clear out his thoughts.

      “What is it?” she asked softly.

      He drew a deep breath. “Nothing.”

      But it was something. He’d looked tormented for a second. The amused gleam in his eyes evaporated—he’d gone to some distant place—and regret marred his handsome expression.

      “We can eat anytime you want,” he said, transforming his expression to produce a charming smile. “The chef has prepared something special for us.”

      Sophia wouldn’t question Logan further. She refused to let her mind go to a dark place of doubt and uncertainty. Maybe she’d only imagined the tortured look on his face. “I would love to try the chef’s specialty.”

      Logan showed her to a table that was in the prettiest corner of the room. She was well aware that he had closed down the restaurant for a private meal with her. She couldn’t say she wasn’t impressed and flattered. “Do you go to such trouble for all your first dates?”

      “I can honestly tell you, no, I don’t.”

      His declaration made Sophia extremely happy. “More like a Kickin’ Kitchen kind of thing then?”

      “Don’t disparage Kickin’. The food’s great when you know your limits.”

      Sophia raised her brows but she let Logan get away with that jibe. She was glad to see his mood lighten. “So how long have you owned this place?”

      “Six months.”

      “I think it’s a wonderful chateau but I’m a little surprised.”

      “Because I’m a rancher and this isn’t really in my wheel-house?”

      Sophia didn’t want to pry but she was curious, so she gave him a slight nod.

      “My friend owned the place, but he couldn’t make it work. His managerial skills were not up to snuff. He was losing business, about to go into foreclosure.” Logan shrugged as if buying a business was an everyday occurrence for him. “I don’t like to see beautiful things fall to ruin, and in this case, I could do something about it. I saved my friend’s ass and bought it at a fair price.”

      Sophia glanced around the entire restaurant. It was cozy and warm and elegant. “Your friend is very lucky.”

      “It was business.”

      “Maybe,” Sophia said. “Or maybe you’re more softhearted than you think.”

      “Definitely … not.”

      Logan finished off the last ounce of his scotch. He could be a hard-ass at times, but Sophia knew there was a softer side to Logan Slade, whether or not he wanted to admit it. When his guard was down, Sophia figured him to be a pretty decent man. Then a thought struck. “Isn’t Luke staying somewhere close by?”

      Logan studied her for a few long moments. “He’s on the other side of the lake, some twenty miles of winding road from here.” In a clipped voice, he asked, “Why? You want to stop by for a visit?”

      She heard masked resentment in his tone. Logan and Luke were at odds lately and it was best for her not to interfere. Though she missed Luke and hoped he was doing well, she didn’t know how he would take the news about her being in love with Logan. She’d avoided calling him and felt like a heel about it, but she didn’t know how to broach the subject about her and Logan. Everything was up in the air anyway. Sophia had no clue what the future held for them. What could she say to Luke?

      I’ve moved into your house and slept with your brother.

      “What I want is to be right here with you,” she said honestly.

      Logan seemed satisfied with her reply. He gave a quick nod. “My brother’s doing okay.”

      “I’m happy to hear that.”

      The subject was dropped and dinner was served. It was the most exquisite melt-in-your-mouth meal Sophia had ever eaten—a dish with tender herb-infused sirloin strips and shi-take mushrooms along with delicately grilled then lightly fried vegetables. Summoning her bravado, she broached a question that had been on her mind. “What was your relationship like with your father after my mother and I left Sunset Ranch?”

      Logan’s lips tightened and he moved his empty plate away a little more forcefully than necessary. “Why