Carrying the Rancher's Heir by Charlene Sands Page B

There was no disputing who the boss was here. The employee had just been ordered away.
    â€œBye, Jed,” Callie said with a smile.
    â€œSee ya, Callie.” He swatted each horse’s rump and they trotted into the stable. Jed followed behind.
    Callie ran a hand through her hair and inhaled deep. Tagg had just saved her from an awkward situation with his ranch hand.
    â€œWere you going to go out with him?” he asked, gesturing toward the stable.
    â€œJed? Uh, no. I wasn’t.” She lifted her chin a notch. “Not that it’s any of your business.”
    A spark of mischief entered his eyes. “Granted. None of my business.”
    â€œI don’t have too many friends around here. Jed and I used to be friends in school. It’s nice getting reacquainted.”
    â€œHe had it bad for you.” Tagg smiled.
    â€œYou did hear! You were listening to our conversation!”
    â€œIt was fascinating. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
    â€œBut you managed to. The minute Jed asked me out.” She looked at him with suspicion.
    â€œDon’t pretend I didn’t save your butt just then. You were stumbling…looking for a way out.”
    Callie opened her mouth to protest, but Tagg was right. And he’d recognized her dilemma. “True.” Though she hated to admit it.
    â€œThen it’s not a problem going to Vegas?”
    â€œYou mean I have a choice?” She sent him a teasing smile.
    â€œYou don’t have to go. But you are the ‘kid expert.’”
    â€œSo, it’s a request?”
    He nodded.
    â€œFrom Clay?”
    Tagg shifted his gaze to the ground. He scratched the side of his cheek. “I haven’t told Clay about this yet.”
    â€œBut you made it seem…” Callie stopped for a second and eyed him. Could it be possible that Tagg wanted her to go? That this was all his idea?
    â€œWe need to leave by five tonight.”
    Callie blinked. “We’re leaving tonight?”
    â€œJohn’s an old rodeo buddy. He invited us to dinner. Under the circumstances, I couldn’t refuse. Are you in?”
    Yes! “I’m in. I’ll be ready at five.”
    With bells on.
    Â 
    â€œYou are one lucky girl, Callie Sullivan,” she muttered later that afternoon as she packed. She folded her jeans and a plaid no-nonsense blouse into the suitcase before closing it shut, grateful that her father had left for Houston that morning. There would be no arguments about where she was going and no repercussions when she got home. If she were really fortunate, she’d return before her father this weekend and he’d never have to know she’d been gone.
    Fate had a way of looking after her. At least, this time. When Tagg had called a few hours ago arranging to pick her up at home, she’d been happy to inform him that her father wasn’t around and it wouldn’t be a problem.
    â€œYou mean, I won’t face a shotgun?” Callie had laughed at his joke, though she’d never have let Tagg on Sullivan property to face her father’s wrath had he been home. Shewould have made other travel arrangements to save them all a nasty confrontation.
    In truth, Callie had been looking forward to having the house to herself for the entire weekend. But nothing topped this turn of events—even if it was just an overnight business trip.
    Because she’d be with Tagg.
    Callie zipped up her suitcase, leaving it on the bed and strode into her walk-in closet, searching for just the right outfit to wear tonight. She came up with a black dress that crisscrossed over the chest but wasn’t too revealing. The dress hit her knees in a flow of material and gathered at the side with a bit of rhinestone bling. It was appropriate for a dinner invitation and yet nothing too provocative.
    She’d tossed ankle-high boots in her suitcase for tomorrow. For tonight’s dinner she chose a pair of strappy black