the farm firsthand every day, be around the horses. And you’ve probably already figured out how much we love having company.”
“That’s fine.” Dana was surprised that the family so easily took her in, working her into the day effortlessly. “I appreciate all your help.”
“Not a problem at all.” Georgiana’s smile claimed her face, and Dana was taken aback by her natural beauty. Hazel eyes in a heart-shaped face, copper freckles, bright smile. In a green T-shirt, denim capris and bare feet, she looked as pretty as any model.
“Georgiana, Dana isn’t exactly dressed for the farm, and since we might be gone a little while, do you think you could get her something more comfortable to wear?” John asked, then added, “Right now, she’s wearing a suit and heels.”
Dana wondered why John described what she wore, since Georgiana looked directly at her, and then the pieces clicked into place. The beautiful woman was blind.
“Oh, my, you broke down and had to walk all that way in a suit?” Georgiana asked. “Bless your heart. Yes, come on in, and we’ll find you something to wear. Abi can help. She loves picking out clothes. She helps me all the time.” Georgiana laughed. “It’s kind of hard for me to match things, you know.”
“Georgiana will take care of you until we get back.” John’s voice was quiet, and Dana turned to see that his eyes held an admiration and kindness toward his sister-in-law. He was right; regardless of her disability, Georgiana wanted to take care of her guest, and Dana wanted to let her.
“That’s fine,” she turned to Georgiana. “I’d love to borrow something, if you don’t mind. And I’ll call the bed-and-breakfast and let them know I’m officially canceling my reservation.”
Georgiana clasped her hands together. “Wonderful. We’re so glad you’ll be staying with us.”
“One thing, though, Georgiana,” Landon said.
“What’s that?”
“She’s got a good four or five inches of height on you. Probably want to consider that when you’re finding her clothes.”
Georgiana’s grin showcased the copper freckles on her cheeks and the hazel in her eyes. “So if she wears my pants, we’re talking high waters.” She lifted a shoulder. “Not a problem. I hear capris are in this year.” She waved a hand toward her own outfit.
Dana already liked the woman. “You heard right. They definitely are.”
“We’ll have dinner ready when y’all get back so John can eat before he heads to work,” Georgiana said to the rugged cowboys walking toward an old blue truck, their boots kicking up a bit of dust as they moved.
“Sounds great.” John climbed into the passenger side of the old pickup, looked at Dana and knuckled his Stetson. “Oh, by the way, welcome to the ranch.”
She stood beside Georgiana and watched them drive away, mesmerized with the lifestyle so different than her own. And equally mesmerized by the breathtaking cowboy with the sexy smile, and eyes that looked like honey in the sunshine.
“Come on, we’ll go get you some clothes.” Georgiana took a couple of steps, opened the door and led the way inside. If Dana didn’t know she was blind, she wouldn’t have been able to tell.
They entered the log cabin, and Dana viewed the beauty of plank wood ceilings, hardwood floors, exposed beams and a huge stone fireplace. Even the furnishings were rustic but homey. “Your room is upstairs, on the left. I’ll show you.” Georgiana started up the stairs. “Abi, you can come help me pick out some of my clothes for Miss Dana to wear if you’re done with your milk.”
“Cool!” Abi abandoned her spot at the kitchen table and ran toward the stairs.
“I didn’t hear you put your glass in the sink.” Georgiana’s motherly tone was endearing.
“Oh, yeah, right.” Abi turned, ran back to the table and moved her empty glass to the sink. Then she darted back across the living area to pass them going up the stairs. “I’ll go pick out something nice.”
Georgiana laughed. “Abi loves to help.” She slid her hand along the wall until it met the first door facing and then pointed to the open door. “That’s your room. There is an adjoining bathroom, and you should have all the linens and things you need, but if anything is missing, just let me know. We really are glad you’re here.”
Dana peeked in. A multicolored quilt covered the bed and another hung over a quilt rack near the window. Antique furniture filled the room with crocheted doilies accenting each piece. “The quilts and the doilies are lovely.”
“Mrs. Cutter made those before she passed on. When I was little and came over to ride horses with Landon, she was often on the front porch crocheting. I’m sure John will probably tell you, but they lost their mother eight years ago. She’d gotten depressed after her husband died in a farming accident and unfortunately turned to prescription meds. John was the one who found her. Landon was overseas serving in Afghanistan, and John became the man of the house here, taking care of the farm and their little brother, Casey.”
Dana had known that John’s parents were dead, but she hadn’t realized the amount of responsibility he’d inherited. He’d mentioned Casey and the fact that he was at the University of Alabama, but he hadn’t said anything about raising the boy after his mother died. “How old was Casey when she died?”
“I believe he was ten, maybe eleven.” Georgiana leaned against the door frame. “John saw him through all those teenage years and all the trouble that typically comes with them. And Casey turned out well, even if they had a few bumps along the way.”
“Mom, are y’all coming?” Abi’s voice echoed down the hall.
“And speaking of kids...” Georgiana shook her head, turned and continued down the hall.
Touched by the hospitality from this family, Dana felt an even stronger desire to make certain John’s dude ranch became a success after learning everything he’d gone through over the past few years.
As though she knew what Dana was thinking, Georgiana said, “John is really hoping this dude ranch idea will work, and he believes you’re the one who can make it happen.”
“It’s a good idea.” Dana believed it was, even if it wasn’t one that any wise investors would fund. And why wouldn’t they? Sure, Alabama wasn’t a typical location for a dude ranch, but if she could market it well, there shouldn’t be a problem. Then again, in the back of her mind she wondered if she had missed something. Was there more to getting an honest-to-goodness dude ranch up and running than she’d realized?
They entered Georgiana and Landon’s room, where Abi had gathered a few tops and pants and tossed them on the bed.
“Do you like any of those?” Abi asked. “Or do you want me to pick some other ones? I tried to put the ones together that I thought matched. Mommy lets me match her clothes, so I’m pretty good at matching.”
“Abi, just how many did you get out?” Georgiana asked, but Dana could tell she wasn’t perturbed with her daughter’s enthusiasm. On the contrary, her smile said she found Abi’s assistance adorable. And so did Dana.
“Just a few. I
