Sophia was grateful for the interruption.
Or should she call it an escape?
Logan swirled bourbon and soda in a tumbler, his shoulder braced against the patio pillar, his gaze keenly fastened on Sophia. She swayed her hips in time with the music on the dance floor and caught the attention of every male at the party, married or not. Even the damn disc jockey was eyeing her. How could he blame them? She was a stunner in a black-sequined dress that shimmered under the festive party lights. At this time, in that dress, Sophia couldn’t conceal her luscious form. She didn’t try to cover herself up with a jacket or sweater. She was a curvy glamour queen with her hair up in a tangle, held together by rhinestone clips.
Gorgeous.
Hunter had her in his arms now. Every so often, she would smile at him, making mush of the poor kid. She’d already danced with Ward, Ruth’s husband and young Edward. She appeared to be having a great time, but there was something underlying, something not quite right about her tonight.
When she wasn’t in the limelight, her expression held tension. He’d seen her dart cautious glances around, as if watching for something or someone.
Lately, every time he’d approached her she’d just about jumped out of her skin. It wasn’t his concern, unless what was troubling her had something to do with Sunset Ranch.
Then it mattered to him.
Ward walked over to him, drink in hand. They drank together for a while in silence, keeping their eyes trained on the dance floor. When the song ended and the DJ announced a fifteen-minute break, the hum of lively conversation and laughter reached their ears. Sophia made quiet work of seeing that everyone was accommodated and having a good time. The food had been served and things were going smoothly.
“Ruth is sure having a good time,” Ward said. “Your father would have been pleased to see this.”
For once, Logan had to agree about his father. He’d been a fair and decent employer—that much he would grant him, and he would have approved of honoring Ruth’s service to Sunset Lodge like this. “She sure was surprised.”
“You pulled it off,” Ward said, taking a sip of whiskey.
“Not me so much. Sophia.”
Logan’s gaze landed on her again. She was never far from his scope of vision. He’d been deliberately watching her all night. Truth be told, even if he tried, he wouldn’t be able to keep his eyes off her.
“She’s a hard worker. Real nice, too,” Ward said. “I think my boy is smitten.”
Restrained laughter slipped from Logan’s mouth. “Yeah. Him and all the rest of the crew. She’s no different than her mother in that regard.”
Ward shot Logan a sideways glance. “Maybe the two women should be judged on their own merits. Or better yet, maybe they shouldn’t be judged at all.”
Ward’s little lecture was getting on his nerves. Sure the man had status on the ranch. He and his father had been close, and Ward looked upon the Slade boys as kin, but Logan wasn’t going to change his mind about Sophia Montrose, no matter how many people came to her defense.
“Just being cautious, Ward.”
“That why she’s been in your line of vision all night?”
Logan eyed him with a sour look. “You keeping track?”
“I’m thinking you should go over there and ask her to dance when the music starts up again.”
“And I’m thinking she’s got no room on her dance card.”
Ward let out a hearty laugh. “I bet she’d make room for you.”
Logan shook his head slowly. “Doubtful. I’m the devil to her.”
Ward finished off his drink and set it down on a nearby table. “Maybe you should stop acting like one. Give the lady a chance.” With that, Ward walked toward his son and started up a conversation with him.
Logan frowned and marched over to the bar to get another drink.
Before dinner, Logan walked up the steps to the deck and offered up a toast and tribute to Ruth. Everyone stood and raised their glasses. His speech was short but filled with gratitude for her outstanding service, especially during these past few trying months after his father’s death. He managed to get a few laughs with anecdotes about Ruth’s first days on the job and he wished her well in her retirement.
When the speech was over, Ruth was summoned up to say a few words. Her heartfelt goodbye and vow to get even with Logan for conning her with this surprise party brought some misty-eyed laughter from the gathering.
After dinner, dessert and coffee were served, the music mellowed out and one by one the guests began taking their leave. Sophia walked many of them outside. Logan didn’t miss the way she stood on his doorstep with a proprietary hand on the door as she thanked the guests for coming and wished them a safe drive home. She said all the right things. She was the perfect hostess.
Logan was just about to pay her the compliment when his phone buzzed. It was late and he didn’t want to take any calls tonight but when the caller ID popped up on the screen, Logan immediately answered the call from his youngest brother.
“Hey, Justin. How’re the marines treating you these days?”
Logan walked into his office to speak with his brother about when he was coming home. His brother loved the military, but Logan sensed a longing for Sunset Ranch in him lately. Twenty minutes later, when he strode to the backyard, he found all the guests gone. The housekeeping staff was folding up the tablecloths, breaking down the tables and stacking the chairs. They were an efficient machine that didn’t need any help from him, so he pivoted and went in search of Sophia.
“Where is Ms, Montrose?” he asked one of the waiters in the kitchen.
“She left with Mrs. Polanski ten minutes ago,” he said. “She said to tell you good-night.”
Logan waited until the last of his staff had cleaned up and taken off before he plopped down on the sofa, letting go a weary sigh. He knew how to pick good horseflesh. He knew what stallions would produce the best offspring. He knew how to keep his farm running smoothly and in the black, but what he knew about throwing a surprise party would fit in a shot glass with room to spare.
Ruth had been pleased and had thanked him half a dozen times. Her service had been recognized. His father would have been proud of how it all went down.
His father.
Logan had idolized him. Growing up as the eldest son, he’d wanted to be just like Randall Slade one day: fair, decent, honest, hardworking. He’d thought the sun rose and set on that man’s shoulders. Until one day, his faith in his father had been destroyed.
It was past midnight on a school night when Logan woke from a bad dream. Sweat beaded on his forehead and his body trembled as his eyes opened to the darkness of his bedroom. Too keyed up to sleep, Logan rose and knew what would calm him. Logan had gotten only a glimpse of him when he’d first arrived today. Champion, the purebred Arabian stallion.
Logan tiptoed out of the house to
