Her Rancher Rescuer. Donna Alward

      They gathered their coats and he led her to his new rental car.

      The heater hadn’t even really kicked in by the time they got to her house. Jack parked on the street and left the engine running. “I wish I could see you again before I go back, but with family obligations and the trouble back home...”

      “I understand completely. It’s no biggie, Jack. I didn’t even think I’d see you again. Thanks for including me tonight.”

      “I was glad for the company.”

      “So you’re heading back on the twenty-sixth. Any idea what you’re going to do about your problem?”

      He sighed. “Making sure Rosa’s doing okay and that her family has everything they need is the first thing. And then I’ll have to check I have the bookings straight and look at hiring someone to fill in.”

      “Surely it won’t be that difficult. Is there an agency you can use?”

      “Maybe, but Rosa’s a force of nature. She looks after the business but also does all the cooking and cleaning for our guests. I’ll probably have to hire two people to replace her.”

      Amy looked out the window. A flurry was starting, little white flakes drifting to the ground. All along her street houses were lit up with lights—white ones, multicolored, inflatable snowmen and penguins—and every door held a wreath. But not hers. There was a glow from a single window but no flickering reflection of a Christmas tree or any hint of holiday cheer. She didn’t want to go inside. Wished she could be anywhere but here right now. Then felt automatically guilty about it.

      “My mom’s not much for decorating,” she said quietly, knowing Jack had to have noticed.

      “And you never thought to go about it yourself?”

      She looked over at him. His features were illuminated by the dashboard lights. There was no criticism in his voice. In fact, Jack Shepard was probably the first person she’d ever met who didn’t seem to make any judgments at all. Maybe he’d been on the receiving end and knew how it felt. Once again she remembered the stories from the news. Speculation about the affair right under his coach’s nose. How much of it had been true? It was hard to believe he would have done such a thing. It just wasn’t Jack.

      “My mom forbade decorating,” she answered, her voice barely above a whisper. “My dad left us at Christmas. She hates the holidays.”

      “I’m sorry. That’s rough.”

      “It was years ago. She should be able to move on. But moving on seems to be one thing neither of us are very good at. I swear, Jack, deciding to go away to school has taken such a load off my shoulders. And yet...”

      “And yet she’ll be here alone. And you’ll worry about her.”

      “Yeah,” she answered, relieved he understood.

      He reached over and took her hand. “Do you want to come over to Callum’s tomorrow? I’m sure it would be fine with Avery.”

      “No, that’s okay. I just wish...”

      “You wish what?”

      She sighed. “That I could get away for a bit. Just somewhere different, to really think about what it is I want.”

      “Where you won’t be influenced one way or the other?”

      “Or fall back into comfortable habits.”

      Her gaze met his as a kernel of an idea took hold. He had a problem, and she was restless. What if they could help each other out?

      “Look, things around the shop are always slow after Christmas. What if...” She took a deep breath. “What if I came down and helped you out for a few weeks? I’m pretty sure I could handle the admin you need done. It’d give you some breathing room before having to hire someone new.”

      “You’re serious.”

      “Of course I’m serious. It would only be for a short time.” Her mom would be fine for a few weeks. It would be a good trial run.

      He turned in the seat and faced her squarely. “I couldn’t officially pay you, you understand. Unless you have a U.S. work visa I know nothing about.”

      He was considering it. She didn’t mind the work; she could file and type and answer phones and schedule things without blinking an eye. In return she’d have a few weeks in a Montana lodge, surrounded by snow and roaring fires and whatever else she could come up with. “It’d be like a vacation for me, I promise. You don’t have to pay me anything. I’ll do it in exchange for room and board.”

      “You’re crazy.”

      “I’m desperate.” She looked back at the house again. “Jack, I’ve felt stuck in this hick town for as long as I can remember.” She lifted a hand. “It’s my own fault, and I know that. You’d be helping me and I’d be helping you. Win-win.”

      “I’m not sure desperation is the best motive here.”

      Was he talking about her need to get away or the small matter of what had happened between them less than two weeks ago? They’d been all but plastered together on the dance floor and later in the parlor at the B and B. She wasn’t sure how to bring it up, but she felt one of them should.

      “If you’re worried about there being atmosphere, don’t. That’s not why I’m going. I’ve sworn off men, remember?”

      He laughed shortly. “I’ve heard that before.”

      She put her hand on his arm. Even through his overcoat she felt the strength and warmth of it. There was no denying that Jack was strong and sexy as hell. No denying that her pulse had raced being held in his arms. But for once in her life she was focused on a goal. She wasn’t about to get distracted now. Not even by someone as amazing as Jack.

      “It would be good experience for me. If I’m considering going into hospitality management, what better training could I ask for? If I like it I’ll be really sure. And it’ll be a good test run for my mom, too. It’ll take her some getting used to—being alone, that is.”

      “So there’s nothing here at all?” He moved his finger back and forth, gesturing between the two of them.

      She hesitated. “You want the truth or a lie?”

      His lips twitched. “The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”

      “The truth is you’re a nice guy and a great kisser, but I have bigger fish to fry at the moment. If you’re worried about me getting all clingy and having expectations or something...don’t.”

      He sat back. “Brutal honesty. I like it.” He ran a finger over his chin. “It would give me some breathing room. I have to be in Vancouver for meetings right after New Year’s....”

      “There, you see?”

      He frowned. “This all seems rather convenient.”

      She paused for a moment. Listened to the air blowing through the heater vents. Looked out at the street, awash in Christmas cheer.

      “I don’t want to be this person anymore,” she whispered. “For years I’ve done exactly what my mother has done—accepted my lot in life and done a fair bit of complaining about it. It’s not enough. Rhys said I was the last woman in the world he’d want to date. I don’t want to be the last woman in the world for anything or anyone. I want to do something. I want to learn how. I would give anything to have the confidence and competence of someone like your sister. I’ve got to start somewhere. Please, Jack. I promise I’ll do a good job for you. You won’t regret it.”

      Jack stared at her, his eyes dark in the dim light of the car. He wasn’t joking or smiling. Maybe that was what she liked about him. He didn’t make fun of her, even when she made it easy for him.

      “Can you be ready early on the twenty-sixth?”

      “You