see the adjoining bedroom with French Provincial fruitwood furniture, polished hardwood floors, another large-screen television, a desk with a computer.
“This is lovely. It’ll be fine,” she said, turning to look into dark brown eyes that captured and held her attention again, stealing away all thoughts or conversation. The moment stretched between them.
He turned abruptly and the moment was gone, leaving her breathless and with a racing heart. Declining the job to go elsewhere was the sensible thing to do. But right now she was too busy trying to get her breath and regain her composure.
“Give me the key to your car and I’ll bring in your things,” Ryan said in a deeper, huskier voice. Was he having a reaction as much as she was? Warning signals were flying like sparks from an exploding firecracker, yet she didn’t want to turn down the chance for the job.
She motioned toward the door. “I’ll go, too. I can carry something.”
“While you’re here, you can keep your car in the garage.”
“Thank you.”
When they reached her car, he removed two bags and shouldered a carry-on.
Gathering her laptop, a shoulder bag and another small bag, she followed him back to the house, where he set things down in her new suite.
“Have some more things in the trunk?”
“No.”
“You’re traveling light for someone moving away from home.”
She shrugged. “Starting over. I don’t need a lot and my folks will take care of my things. I have a small condo I leased for a year. I’ve already paid the rent for the year.”
One corner of his mouth lifted slightly, making slight creases bracket his mouth. Once again she thought he was an incredibly handsome man, which would not make this job easy.
“Why are you smiling?”
“I suspect what you paid for that year’s lease will be more than your salary here. You went to college. You have an accounting degree and you’re qualified for a job that would give you a career and a good salary. Are you sure this is the choice you want to make?”
“At this time in my life, it is. My heart wouldn’t be in any accounting job. I’m changing and trying to decide what I want to do the rest of my life. I want to work at something I like to do. My marriage is definitely over. I made a mistake in judgment about my ex that has shaken me.”
“Well, you’re following your heart, something not many of us get to do,” he said, sounding slightly wistful, and she recalled what he’d said about wanting to spend more time at the ranch. “Give me your key and I’ll put your car away for you,” he said, holding out his hand.
She placed a key ring into his hand. “I’ll wait on the porch and see where you go.” As they walked through the house, she glanced at her surroundings. “Did you grow up on this ranch?”
“No. I had this house built five years ago to suit myself. Now, there’s another Delaney ranch with a house that goes back generations. We lived there part of the time, but because of school and Dad’s business, we lived in Dallas most of the time.
“There were quite a few of us. My brother Adam is deceased, but I have two others who live around here. Will is the next oldest brother. He’s married and lives in Dallas. We have a half sister, Sophia, who is married and lives in Dallas and her husband is like another brother. Middle brother Zach has married, shocking the family because he was a world traveler. I’m the youngest. We’re all in Texas.”
“I come from a big family, too, as I told you. I have an older sister and three older brothers—a banker, an accountant and an attorney, all professions my father approves.”
“There must be something you want to do your dad doesn’t approve,” Ryan guessed.
“I’d like to have my own restaurant. He would see that as a highly frivolous risk. Actually, my parents want me to be what I was—married to a highly successful man and not working outside the home, a socialite. I followed that life but spent a lot of my time volunteering, which I did enjoy.”
“At least you helped others. That’s good,” he said, holding the door for her to step outside. She was conscious of passing close to him, constantly aware of his proximity.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, taking the porch steps two at a time.
She watched his long strides as he headed toward her car. Her gaze ran across his broad shoulders down to his narrow hips and long legs while her insides tightened. What would it be like to kiss him? She tried to think of another subject and get her mind off Ryan. What was it that stirred such chemistry between them?
She looked at her car and decided if this job didn’t work out, she would drive back to Dallas and sell the car, then head north. Maybe Montana or Wyoming would have another isolated ranch where a family could use a cook. Or a small-town restaurant off the main highways.
Common sense still urged her to go now. There was a hot attraction between Ryan and her. The fact that he had remained professional, resisted flirting, until after the interview had not cooled the fires. She glanced at her surroundings again, the outbuildings, corral, stables, garage, wide-open spaces and, through a stand of mesquite trees, a bunkhouse. She could not imagine any of her family or her ex finding her here. So the place was perfect—except for one tall Texas rancher.
Ryan came striding back and handed the keys to her. When his fingers brushed hers, another sizzle danced in her insides. “Nice car. Want to sell it to me?”
“You’ll get the first chance if I do decide to sell it. But I really like my car and I’d hate to let it go.” She took a deep breath and looked toward the door. “I’d better go get accustomed to your kitchen. What would you like for lunch?”
He gazed at her a moment in silence. “Surprise me,” he finally said. “I’ll get ready for the next interview. I’ll answer the door when she arrives.”
Jessica nodded and left for her room to change clothes. She wasn’t putting anything away until she was certain she had the job. She thought about his offer to buy her car. For the time being she didn’t want to sell. As soon as she sold her car, it would be easier to look up records and find she had been in Texas.
She changed into jeans and a red cotton shirt, tying her hair behind her head with a red scarf. Slipping on flip-flops, she left for the kitchen. Certain Ryan was closed in his office to interview someone, she glanced down the empty hall. She hadn’t heard a doorbell or anyone talking, but the house was big enough that she wouldn’t hear when she was in her suite or even back in the kitchen.
The first thing she did was familiarize herself with his kitchen. It was as well stocked as a store. As she began collecting what she needed from the pantry, she heard someone in the kitchen and turned around to see Gwen.
“Ahh, you’re here to fix lunch,” Gwen said, smiling at Jessica. “You really don’t need to, because I’ve been filling in. You don’t actually have the job yet—right?”
“I’m trying out for the position,” Jessica said. “I’m starting with lunch. He didn’t say what he likes to eat, so I’m guessing. I’m going to make
