and ranchland beyond the wraparound porch. She couldn’t believe this amazing view didn’t distract Wyatt. The pretty green color of the land and the trees that were eons old, the hills and valleys beyond.
Horses and cattle dotted the grasses in the distance. The silhouettes of the men at work were distant, yet from here she knew exactly which one was Lane’s. He sat taller in the saddle than the others.
She didn’t know how long she watched them, fascinated by the rhythm of their work and the cohesiveness of their movements. When one small calf took off across the thick grasses, Lane was there, low over Midnight’s neck to steer the little one back to its mama and the rest of the herd. And then the whole lot of them were gone over the ridge, the cloud of dust sent up by all the hooves the only sign they had ever been there.
Why had a sense of loneliness slipped over her? Damn Lane. Though she saw him every day at meals and like this, across the ranch, she didn’t feel as though he was really here. Was that how he wanted her to feel?
The sound of a tiny whimper came from down the hall. She glanced at the clock, surprised that the afternoon was nearly gone. Juanita would be here soon to set up dinner. Thankful for a reprieve from her thoughts, she shut everything down for the day. She had tomorrow to look forward to.
And a son to feed. She smiled. She had Lucas. And though she probably still shouldn’t lift, she couldn’t resist carefully picking up her baby boy. As she passed the flight of stairs that led to the second floor, she cringed. Her doctor had given her the okay to climb stairs, but she’d try those later. Much later.
Not surprisingly, Juanita came in just as Amanda settled in the wooden captain’s chair with Lucas in her arms, a bottle to his greedy little lips.
“My, he’s hungry today.” Juanita leaned in to softly stroke the baby’s head. “You going to keep me company while I work?”
“I’ll help if I can.”
“Just enjoy your little one and we can chat.” Juanita pulled off her jacket and hung it by the door before launching into stories of her own four boys, now grown and out of the house.
An hour later, Lucas was in his baby swing, watching the world with a newborn’s curiosity while Amanda helped Juanita dish up all the food. Heavy pounding footsteps sounded on the back porch and Amanda’s pulse jumped. She should be pleased that Lane barely noticed her these days. It would make leaving easier when the time came.
Amanda wasn’t watching for Lane. Really, she wasn’t. But when he came in, it was as if the rest of the world receded. Their eyes met and his gaze held hers, almost too long.
He looked dirty, tired and as good as ever. She hastily tore away her gaze and went back to helping Juanita. If she didn’t, she was afraid what the others would think or do or say.
His private rejection was bad enough. She couldn’t face a public one.
* * *
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