Читать книгу: «Heaven's Kiss», страница 2

She’d learned a lot of things from her father, but one thing she’d never forget. “Personal problems are just that—personal. We don’t spill our guts to the neighbors, Dani.”

“Aw, give Dani a break,” someone called. “Doesn’t matter if she can’t cook, as long as she can get this play going. We’ve got our caterer, and nobody could do it better than Miss Winifred.”

“Well, if you’re sure…” Miss Winifred waited for dissent, then nodded briskly. “All right, I’ll do it.”

The entire group heaved a collective sigh of relief. No one wanted to tackle a meal of such magnitude, but their busy little baker was exactly the right person to bring order out of chaos.

“It seems the meal is taken care of. Miss Winifred, I thank you for offering and we all pledge to do whatever you need. You just let us know how we can help.” Dani glanced around the group, noticed everyone nodding.

“I’ll do my best.” Miss Winifred sat down, her face wreathed in smiles.

“Well, that’s most of my list. Thank you, all.” Dani scribbled a note to herself, then looked up. “I think we’re about ready to rehearse. As soon as we audition for the main character, that is. We won’t need all of you here for that.” She glanced down at her list, then around. “Could I ask that the various committees please use the Sunday school rooms for your meetings? We need to conduct a read-through out here, so I’m asking for a bit of quiet.”

Amid much chatter, the group broke up. Dani bent to pick up her copy of the play and noticed Dr. Luc inching his way up the aisle. They still needed a main character, and the pastor had insisted that it was up to her to find one. Dr. Luc was perfect. She couldn’t let him get away— But Miss Winifred stopped her from following him.

“I do hope I won’t disappoint, Dani dear,” the baker murmured. “It is such a large job.”

“I know you’ll do fine.” Dani stood on her tiptoes, saw Luc in the foyer. “Miss Winifred, I need another favor.” She explained her difficulty. “He’s the only one who suits the part.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “I just can’t see Big Ed as an English inspector. Can you?”

“It does rather boggle the mind, doesn’t it.” Miss Blessing wrapped her fingers around Dani’s. “Come along, dear. Time for a little teamwork. Lucas!” Her voice warbled through the sanctuary, carrying like a wind chime in the forest. “Luc, dear. Dani and I must speak with you. Coffee break, actors. Rehearsal in five.”

They caught him entering the young-adult Sunday-school classroom which had been newly designated for use by the set-building committee.

“Luc, we need to talk to you.”

“Oh.” A wary glance passed over them. “I was just about to get in on this meeting for building props. I thought I might help them out.”

“You?” Gray McGonigle stood beside Dani, his eyes huge with disbelief. “What did you ever build?”

“Nothing.” The doctor’s face darkened in a red flush. “But I can learn.”

“Indeed you can, dear. But not tonight. Tonight we need you to think about a higher mission.” Miss Winifred wrapped one arm through Luc’s and drew him next door, into the nursery. She closed the door as soon as Dani was through. “Much higher, my boy.”

“Uh, I see.”

He clearly didn’t. Dani almost giggled at the panicked look crossing the good doctor’s face.

“The inspector,” she reminded him. “Remember? We need someone to play the inspector.”

“But—” He glanced right and left, as if searching for help. “I don’t think I’m your man. I’ve never done any acting. I just wanted to build something, maybe get to know people.”

“Oh, you’ll meet lots of people. Plus you’ll help us raise funds for an orphanage in Honduras. It’s really not that difficult a part, Luc dear. You just have to get the timing right.” Miss Winifred patted his shoulder helpfully.

“No.” He shook his head, his eyes moving from Dani to Miss Blessing and back again in frantic appeal. “No. I can’t do it. I’m sure there must be someone else.”

“But—”

He shook his head, his brown eyes glittering like dark ice as they settled on Dani. “I can’t. That’s all there is to it. I’m sure there’s someone else you can call on.”

Now what? Dani didn’t know what to say.

“You’re right, Luc.” Winifred drooped, her sigh heartfelt. “It’s too much to ask of a newcomer to town.”

“But—”

Dani frowned, half glared at the older woman. To her surprise, Miss Winifred turned her head and winked. Her voice continued in a sad, almost whining tone.

“Why, think of how long it will take to memorize the lines, to come to practice, to find a costume. And you’re such a busy doctor.” She clicked her teeth together, paused a moment, then continued, as if a new thought had just hit. Her twinkling eyes met Dani’s for a fraction of a second, but that was long enough for Dani to glimpse the mischief glittering there.

“I don’t know what in the world I was thinking of, to volunteer for KP, either. Mercy, girl, I own a business, I’m on more committees than I can name, and I have my great-nephew’s daughters to watch out for. There’s no way on earth I can manage the kitchen for this play. No way at all.”

Lucas frowned at her. “But you have to. There isn’t anyone else who can do it.”

“Someone will step into the gap,” the baker assured him blithely. “If they don’t, well then, we’ll know God has other plans.”

Winifred’s blue eyes brightened. Dani lifted a hand to smother her giggle, risked a quick look at the doctor.

“But—but that’s ridiculous!” He shook his head. “God can’t accomplish things if people aren’t willing to help.”

“Exactly.” Winifred Blessing’s face glowed with satisfaction. “I’ll be willing to help in the kitchen as long as you’re willing to be the inspector Dani needs. Or are you going to wimp out on us?”

“Wimp—” The doctor straightened as if someone had refused to allow him to treat a patient. “I am not wimping out!”

“Of course you are, dear. And if you can do it, I can do it. After all, I’m older, with years of age-wearing troubles to deal with. Managing a meal this size will tire me for days. I’ve got a weak heart, too.”

“Hah. There’s nothing wrong with your heart. I did your physical last week, remember?” Luc cast Dani a dubious glance, then peered more closely into Miss Blessing’s bland countenance. “This is a con.”

“Is it?” Dani shrugged. “Miss Blessing has never said a thing she didn’t mean in all the years I’ve known her. I don’t think she’s about to start now.”

“But you’ve already got someone. I heard on coffee row that Big Ed said he was going to read for the part.” He dared them to refute it.

“He’s offered.” Dani nodded. “He could memorize the lines, play the part.”

“But?” Luc frowned at them both, chocolate-brown eyes wary. “There is a but, isn’t there.”

“Big Ed is a cowboy. He’s a wonderful man, but we could never make him into an English inspector. We need someone younger, better suited to the part. We want the whole project to succeed beyond expectations. We want to see enough funding come in to rebuild that orphanage. Do you honestly think Big Ed can do that?” Dani fell silent, unable to communicate how deeply this need touched her, how certain she was that the doctor was the man for the part.

“There’s a passage in the Bible,” Miss Winifred murmured. “I forget the exact words, and I’ll have to look up the reference, but the gist of it is that we should strive to do the best we can for God, not offer Him the mediocre.”

“But you don’t even know if I can do this,” Luc challenged, glaring at them.

“I don’t know if I can direct, either,” Dani reminded him. “But I’m willing to step into the gap rather than see the whole project go under. Let’s sink or swim together, shall we, Dr. Duke?” She said it deliberately, hoping to rouse some emotion in the reticent doctor.

“Luc,” he corrected her in a loud voice. “It’s Luc.” He sighed. “If I won’t try out, you won’t help with the meal?” He waited for Miss Blessing’s nod.

Her grin made Winifred look far younger than her age, which, in fact, remained a well-kept secret in Blessing Township.

“That about sums it up, Lucas.”

“So, if I don’t step in, everyone will blame me for the failure of the dinner theater.” He sighed. “That’s blackmail, you know.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Miss Winifred shrugged. “Oh well. Whatever works. When you get to be my age, you’ll have learned that. Among other things.”

Dani waited, holding her breath. Finally Luc tossed up his hands in defeat.

“I’ll read for it,” he said. “But you have to promise that if Big Ed is better, you’ll give him the part. No more shenanigans.”

“Agreed.”

He pulled open the door, waited till they’d walked through.

“I just wanted to nail a few boards,” Dani heard him mumble almost beneath his breath. “Saw something, maybe. Just a little construction work.”

“Well, maybe we can arrange—” Gray McGonigle’s hand on her arm stopped Dani midsentence. “Oh, hi, Gray. Did you want to talk to me?”

“Yes. Now. Please.”

Dani stepped aside to let the others pass, stared at him in confusion.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, half-afraid to hear the answer.

“Dani, I’m not trying to run the show or anything, believe me. I only want the best for this dinner theater, just as you do. So trust me when I ask you to keep Dr. Lucas Lawrence away from any and all construction. No saws, no nails, no hammers.” He winced. “Particularly no hammers.”

Dani frowned at the intensity underlying his words. “May I ask you why?”

“You know that house we rent out?”

She nodded.

“Last week Luc moved in. The other day he decided to hang a picture.”

Dani shrugged, impatient to get on with the job. “So what?”

“Three hundred and forty-two dollars and seventy-eight cents, so far. That’s what.”

“Three hundred—” She stared. “How?”

“Looking for a stud, he said.” Gray shuddered. “Made a hole in the drywall, knocked over a floor lamp, which tipped and went through the picture window.”

The giggle just would not be denied. Dani slapped a hand over her mouth to muffle it. “Oh dear.”

“Easy for you to say. I was fool enough to accept his offer to help me fix things.” He held up one hand with a thick bandage around his thumb. “Luc Lawrence is a great doctor and I like him very much, but he couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn door with a sledgehammer. I sure don’t want him touching anything in here.” His eyes rested on the beautiful oak panels the deacons had just ordered installed at the front of the church. “Know what I mean?”

“Yes, I do. Leave it to me, Gray. I’ll think of something.” Dani giggled again before patting his arm. “Poor thing. Maybe you should ask Marissa to kiss your boo-boo better. That seems to work well for your son.”

Ignoring his pained look, she turned and walked back into the hall, aware that Gray followed just a few steps behind. She couldn’t look at him for fear she’d start laughing, so she focused on the doctor. He looked worried. Why was that?

“All right, everyone, let’s start reading.”

The actors scrambled to find their copies and get into character. Everyone except Lucas Lawrence. He stood where he was and glared at her. Miss Winifred perched on the first chair in the first row, arms crossed over her chest, lips pursed. Dani took a deep breath and walked forward.

“What’s the matter now?” she asked, keeping her voice soft so the others wouldn’t hear.

“Luc is being obstreperous.”

“I am not.” He tipped back on his heels, his face rigidly composed. “We’d be wise to look at all the angles. I have a valid concern.”

Dani looked to Winifred, found no help there. She sighed. “Which is?”

“I’m a temporary doctor in this town. What if I leave before the dinner theater is held?”

She frowned. He was too calm. Dani squinted, assessing him. Her daddy would have said the man squirmed just a bit too much.

“Are you planning on leaving Blessing soon, Doc?” she asked.

“No, he’s not.” Winifred shook her head.

“How do you know what I’m planning?”

“I just do.”

Luc frowned at her. “Well, you don’t know about this.”

“You’re not going anywhere.” Miss Blessing swung her foot back and forth, her mouth tipped into a triumphant smile as she winked at Dani. “Otherwise, why did he invite his sister to visit him here at Christmas?”

“Of all the nerve—” He cut off his tirade, fumed silently.

Miss Blessing smiled innocently. “I didn’t deliberately listen in on your conversation, Lucas, but you were standing in my bakery when you said it.”

Defeat dragged his shoulders down. Dani suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for him. They had bulldozed over his objections. Still, he would be good, she just knew it. All he had to do was try.

“Give it a shot,” she encouraged. “Just one read-through. Please?”

“You don’t understand.” He turned his back on Miss Blessing, dropped his voice to a whisper. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Stage fright. I stand up in front of a crowd and my mind goes totally blank.” He shook his head, his thin cheeks flushed. “Speeches, stories, poems—doesn’t matter how well I know them, I simply can’t repeat them in front of a bunch of people. My jaw locks up, my heart starts thudding and I can’t get a word out. I’ve struggled with it for years. As an actor, I’m the bottom of the barrel. Choose someone else. Please?”

“There is no one else, Luc. Just you. Please don’t give up.” Dani offered a smile to bolster his courage, certain it must have been hard for him, a competent doctor, to admit this flaw. “I’ll help. I’m a pretty good director.” I think.

“You’ll need to be.” Seeing the expectant faces around him, Luc sighed, then nodded. “Oh, all right. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he whispered.

“I won’t.”

He lifted his lips in a sickly smile and followed her directions, moving to a seat in the front row. He picked up a copy of the play and read his part. As one of many among the cast, he seemed to lose his nervousness, his confidence growing as he continued through to the end of the play. Dani wondered if he’d been teasing about the stage fright.

“This is very good. Who wrote it?” He turned the sheets over, searching for the author.

Dani smiled, but ignored the question. “I’m glad you like it. I think you’ll make a great inspector.”

Her decision was echoed by the other players, spirits rejuvenated now that someone had finally been found who could read the lines with impact.

“If no one objects, I suggest the part of Inspector Merrihew be assigned to Dr. Luc. What do you think?”

Heads nodded in agreement all around the room.

Big Ed’s beefy fist shot up as he began to speak, his excitement obvious. “The boy’s perfect for that part. No denying that. Has that accent down pat. I never could get the hang of that.”

Dani nodded, delighted with the cowboy’s easy acceptance of Luc.

“Great. It’s unanimous. Now, Inspector, do you want to try the part on stage?”

“I—I guess.”

But he didn’t, she could see that in the hunted look in his eyes. Try, she begged silently. Just try.

“‘Gertrude Mortimer baked the best chocolate cake anyone had ever tasted.’ Now you say it.”

He stood at center stage, stared at her. Dani repeated the phrase.

“Gertrude Chocolate mortimered anyone…” He stopped, gulped.

The others chuckled in sympathy.

“You’ll get it. Just keep trying,” the crowd encouraged.

But Luc didn’t get it. Half an hour later Dani dismissed the rest of the cast and watched them scurry away, undoubtedly grateful they didn’t have to endure any more of his line-mangling.

“It was distracting with the others here,” she excused as the door banged shut for the tenth time. “Way too noisy. We’ll practice one-on-one. Don’t worry about it. Come on, let’s try it down here.”

“You can’t say I didn’t warn you.” He sighed, took the stairs two at a time and flopped down beside her. This time the words emerged perfectly. But as soon as they returned to the stage to practice their movements with the lines, he tightened up, forgot what he was doing.

By ten-thirty Dani was ready to phone Big Ed and beg him to take over. Unfortunately Winifred Blessing didn’t know the meaning of the word defeat.

“Tiredness, that’s all it is. Simply too weary. Everyone’s had a long, busy day. So many things to do.” She cluck-clucked her sympathy, patting Luc’s shoulder as if he were four. “Try again when you’re fresh, dear. You too, Dani.”

Dani hadn’t felt fresh since the day she’d found out her father had left the ranch submerged in debt. But she scrounged for a bit of cheerfulness.

“This is Thursday,” she murmured, trying to remember what she’d planned for the weekend. “I’ve got some stuff to do Saturday morning, but maybe you could come out to the ranch in the afternoon. Around one? I could coach you then.”

“Why prolong the inevitable? I’m lousy at this.” Luc shrugged at her glower. “Oh, all right, fine. Saturday afternoon. I’ll be there, barring a medical emergency. But this is a waste of time. I’m not an actor, I’m a doctor. And no matter how badly you want to, you can’t change me.”

Thus released, he walked quickly up the aisle and left the building.

Dani waited until she heard the outer door squeak closed. Then she turned to Miss Winifred.

“Are you sure—”

Winifred patted her shoulder, her face beaming. “The Lord works in mysterious ways, Dani. But He does perform His wonders. Just you give Him a chance.”

Which was all well and fine, Dani decided as she pulled into her yard half an hour later. But they had only four months, and Dr. Lucas Lawrence hadn’t memorized three paragraphs in three hours. She climbed out, reached in for her jacket and blinked. A little white bakery box with that familiar red script was nestled on her back seat.

“‘Blessing Bakery,”’ she read aloud, stomach rumbling at the thought of delicacies she’d often seen tucked inside boxes like these. “‘Made with love.”’ She lifted the lid to peek inside. “What have you done now, Miss Winifred?”

One of Miss Blessing’s heart-shaped love cookies lay inside. The cookies were famous, appearing in unexpected spots all over the county, but Dani had never before received one personally. She held the box under the truck’s interior light, curious about the message she knew would be piped across the cookie in vivid red icing.

Faith isn’t faith until it’s all you’re holding on to.

As usual, Miss Winifred’s cookie stated the problem with a piercing succinctness that made Dani wince.

“I’m trying to have faith, Lord,” she whispered, lifting the cookie out and nibbling off one corner as she stared at the blanket of stars winking overhead. “But tonight didn’t help. Ranch problems are bad enough. What am I going to do with an actor who freezes up the minute he gets on stage?”

The night breeze swirled off the snow-capped mountains and down around her, a chilling reminder that winter might not be finished yet. Loath to leave this panorama of beauty before her for the silence of her empty home, Dani remained a moment longer, considered nights past when she’d felt as if she nestled in the Father’s hand.

Heaven’s kiss, her dad had called it. A feeling that God leaned down and brushed your cheek with His lips, that He was in charge and everything would be fine. It had been so long since she’d felt that tender care.

“Everyone’s gone home to their families. Dad’s with You. But I’m out here all alone, God.” The words, whispered on the night air, carried back to her in painful repetition.

Alone. Alone. Alone.

Dani waited for that featherlight caress of peace to flow through her weary heart. But only the nip of frosty air brushed over her cheeks.

Evidently heaven wasn’t in a kissing mood tonight.

Chapter Two

O n Saturday, just after lunch, Dr. Lucas Lawrence steered his car around an assortment of potholes that littered the road to the Double D ranch and wondered why anyone willingly chose to live out here.

Just as quickly he chided himself for the criticism.

“Okay, it’s beautiful,” he admitted, gazing at the quilt-block pattern that the variegated greens made across the landscape. “Creation in all its glory.” He winced at the bounce from the right front wheel. “But it’s miles from civilization and a death trap to drive over!”

A sudden thought made him chuckle.

“If Winifred Blessing were here, she’d call me a wimp.” He deliberately pressed down the accelerator. One bone-jarring thump later, he yelped and immediately lifted his foot.

“I probably am a wimp.” He admitted it with a sigh and eased his aching behind more firmly into the padded seat, his attention fixed on the road.

“Now what?” Just on the crest of the next hill, a lone cow stood in the middle of the road, back end facing him. There wasn’t enough room on either side to pass the beast. Luc honked the horn.

The placid cow turned to face him. To his dismay, the cow turned out to be a bull that apparently was not amused by honking car horns. It scraped one hoof against the ground and snorted its protest in a bellow of disgust.

“Carrying bucolic a bit far, aren’t we, God?”

He sat there for several moments, waiting for inspiration to strike. The bull glared at him. Luc glared back. He was no wimp. He was a tough, in-charge doctor. He twisted the steering wheel hard right and edged forward. The bull moved just slightly to the right. Luc shifted to the left, so did the bull.

He considered getting out and chasing the thing away, but he’d chosen his favorite red shirt to wear today, and some echo in his memory reminded him that bulls charged anything red.

“What exactly am I doing out here?” he muttered in disgust. “Saturday afternoon and I’m sitting here trading stares with a bull.” As weekend entertainment, Luc felt it lacked a certain something.

The roar of an engine struggling to climb a hill caught his attention. Moments later Dani DeWitt’s battered red truck drew up beside the bull. Luc switched off his engine, his attention snagged by her chiding voice.

“Marvin, what are you doing out here?” She grabbed one horn and pulled. The beast shook his head free, then leaned over to lick her face.

“Stop that!” She dragged a shirtsleeve across her face. “I’m not impressed with your affections, you know. You’re supposed to be in the south paddock, not out here blocking traffic.”

The beast snuffled a response, rubbing its massive head against her side in a way that made Luc reach for the door handle as fear snaked its way up his spine. She couldn’t weigh one-tenth as much as that mammoth. It would surely kill her. He pushed the door open, freezing when it creaked loudly. The bull turned to glare at him.

Dani DeWitt didn’t even glance his way.

“Don’t get out, Doc. Just stay where you are. I have everything under control.”

Sure she did.

Luc didn’t believe it for a moment, but presumably she did have more knowledge than he about this animal. She even knew the thing’s name, though he’d never have called something so impossibly ugly “Marvin.”

Luc patted the seat beside him. He had his cell phone. He could call for help if he needed it, though he wasn’t clear on exactly whom to call.

“Okay, Marv. Shift your bulk right now, and I mean it. I’ve got my zapper and if you give me a bit of trouble, I’ll poke you right in the rump.”

The bull nudged her thigh again, waggled its horns, then obediently plodded across the road, into the ditch, and daintily stepped over a broken strand of electric fence. Dani followed him and smacked him on the hind quarters.

“You get home right now, Marvin, or you’ll find yourself going without supper tonight. Git now!” She stood her ground, hands on her hips, glaring at the beast’s wavering back end.

Marvin emitted a strange bellow, nodded his giant head twice, then began to trot due north, his hooves thundering against the hard-packed ground.

Luc climbed out of his car, staring at her in astonishment.

“How did you do that?”

“Hey, Doc. Didn’t think you were coming.” Dani touched her cheek with one finger, grimaced and wiped her face on her shirttail. She made a face at the wet spot of bull saliva, then grinned at him. “That dumb ol’ bull thinks I’m his daughter.”

“His daughter?” He chuckled. “You scared the daylights out of me when you grabbed his horn.”

“Oh, Marvin won’t hurt me. We grew up together. But don’t ever put yourself between him and me. He’s very protective. My dad once yelled at me and Marvin charged him.” She giggled. “He’s really just a big old softie, but he doesn’t like everyone to know that. Especially men.”

“I see.” Luc swallowed. This—this girl had used a few choice words to single-handedly manage what he’d seen grown men twice her size fail at. His appreciation for Dani DeWitt’s courage soared. “I’m sorry I’m so late. M-Marvin wouldn’t let me past.”

“No, he doesn’t want any strangers on the ranch. He’s afraid I’ll sell him like I did the other cattle.” Her face changed, lost its glow of fun.

“Will you?” He saw how little she wanted that to happen.

“Probably have to,” she murmured. “I don’t have any cows to breed him with and he’s worth a fair bit.”

“I’m sorry.” He didn’t know what else to say.

“Thanks. It’s been tough since Dad died, but I’m getting through.”

“From all I’ve heard, you’re doing very well.”

Her head jerked up at that, eyes narrowed. Luc realized he’d just told her the entire town was talking about her. He hurried to change the subject.

“Is this your land?”

She nodded. “Far as you can see.”

She told him exactly how many acres she owned, but the number didn’t compute in his brain.

“It sounds big, but I know less than nothing about ranches.”

“Why would you? You’re a doctor. I know less than nothing about medicine.” She pointed down the road. “If you want to follow me, I’ll take you back to the house.”

“Weren’t you headed somewhere? I don’t want to take up your afternoon.” Maybe he could get out of this yet.

“I was expecting you. I just came out to check on Marvin. I knew he’d head out here. He does it whenever he wants to make a statement.” She turned toward her truck. “Keep driving straight ahead. You’ll see the house in about five miles.”

Luc followed her at some distance, hoping to avoid the cloud of dust that trailed behind her truck, but also wanting to save wear on his shocks. Pavement appeared to be in short supply in Dani DeWitt’s neck of the woods.

As he drove, Luc noted that the place was huge—miles of green stretched before him. She ran it virtually alone, he knew from gossip in town. He couldn’t help his smile of admiration. Dani DeWitt was one very unusual woman. She’d handled a bull with an attitude, agreed to direct a play that involved half the town. She was feisty. And she sure didn’t back down from a challenge. He’d experienced that personally.

The house, when he saw it, made his eyes widen. A large, cedar-sided two-storey, it sat in the lee of a south-facing hill, huge windows offering what must be a stunning vista over the surrounding valley. A few scraggly flowers struggled to show their blooms against the house, but mostly the yard was grass. He parked beside her truck, climbed out.

“It’s very beautiful country,” he told her sincerely. “You must love to come home.”

“Yes, I do. I was away at college for four years, but every time I came back, it was as if I’d never left.” She motioned to the willow furniture on the deck outside the front door. “Would you like to sit out here in the sun? I can get us some lemonade.”

“Sure.” Luc gingerly lowered himself onto the cushion atop a web of woven willow and found it quite comfy. He waited, content to study the magnificent view, until she returned with two frosty glasses. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” She took a sip, stared at him for a moment. “Are you enjoying Blessing, Dr. Lawrence?”

“It’s Luc.” He nodded. “Yes, I am. Now that Joshua’s recovered and I have a few minutes of spare time, I’m looking forward to really getting to know the area.”

“It was a terrible accident. I know both he and Nicole were glad you were there.” Dani stared out across the billowing grasses. “They seem very happy together.”

“I’m sure they are. The girls love their new mother, and Nicole doesn’t let Joshua get away with much. She’s got her own opinions about things.” He didn’t want to talk about work, Luc discovered. He wanted to talk about her. He didn’t bother to ask himself why. “Tell me about the ranch.”

A mask fell over her eyes, shielding her thoughts from him.

“What do you want to know?”

He shrugged. “Whatever you want to tell me. What it’s like to live out here. Whether you intend on staying or not.”

“Staying? Of course I’m staying. Who told you otherwise?” Her brows drew together in a frown of dismay.

“No one’s said anything. I just assumed with you being so young, you’d rather move back to the city.” He glanced around, noted the unmown grass, the windows that needed painting, the broken board in the balustrade. “You must get lonely out here by yourself.”

“I don’t really.” She smiled. “Maybe because I’m so busy, or maybe it’s because I grew up here, cut my teeth on a horse’s bridle. This is my world.”

“And you love it.”

It didn’t take the nod of her head to tell him that. Luc could see it in the way she stroked the arm of her chair, in the softness of her eyes as she watched horses frolic in a distant pasture. Dani possessed a beauty he’d seldom seen. She had a youthful vitality that glowed in her vivid green eyes, glittered in the sheen of her black hair where the sun struck, but it was more than that.

Her beauty stemmed from the easy way she fit into her world, accepted its problems and refused to moan about it. He’d heard enough talk to know she’d inherited trouble.