Cooking For Cowboy (Stampede Sizzlers) by Brenda Sinclair

ears perked up and his little tail wagged furiously. He woofed back and strained at the leash, eager to race down the steps and greet his new friend.
    “Hello, Sandy,” called Sierra as she led her dog down the stairs. “What a pretty boy you are!”
    Sierra unclipped Barney’s leash and smiled while the dogs sniffed each other from head to toe, both tails wagging. The dogs must have each passed muster with the other. They bounded across the yard together, barking and jumping about. “Barney, come!” called Sierra.
    Her dog stopped in his tracks and then raced back to her side. Sandy followed at his heels.
    “Good boy!” Sierra crouched down and ruffled both dogs’ ears. “You stay close by, Barney. Stay with Sandy.”
    Chad stepped outside onto the deck. “I see everyone is getting along together.”
    “Oh, yeah, I think Barney just met his new best friend,” said Sierra, laughing.
    “Let’s kill two birds while we take them for a walk. You can show Barney his limitations while I show you the ranch.” Chad jogged down the four steps and reached for her hand.
    “Sounds like a good idea, but I should tell Celia…”
    “Don’t worry about it. I already warned her that I wanted to show you the ranch before I checked in with the barn help.” Chad smiled and Sierra’s heart skipped a beat. “Celia’s watching her soap opera until you return.”
    “It’s Saturday, there aren’t any soap operas on the weekend.”
    “Well, she’s watching something on TV.”
    “What soap does she watch?”
    “I don’t remember. I knew at one time.” Chad appeared to be racking his brain.
    “I hope she watches The Young and The Restless. We can enjoy the episodes together.”
    “That sounds familiar. Yeah, I think that’s the one.”
    “Excellent. Y and R is my weekday guilty pleasure. I never miss an episode. I record it on my PVR if I’m on day shift and then watch it at night,” confessed Sierra.
    “I knew you and Celia would get along well.” Chad slipped his arm around her shoulders. “Now, let me show you my ranch.”
    Sierra’s breath caught and a shiver raced up her spine the second he touched her. She trailed alongside Chad like an excited puppy, hoping she didn’t trip over her own feet. He showed her the barns and the other buildings, and several horses, and a cow and her ailing calf, and the chicken coop, and the gardens. She found it difficult to concentrate on his running commentary with their bodies in such close proximity.
    When they rounded the side of one of the barns, a tall, lanky cowboy leading a horse almost mowed them down. “Whoa, Robbie, watch where you’re going.” Chad pulled Sierra out of the way to prevent a collision.
    “Sorry, boss. Didn’t mean to knock you over.”
    “Sierra,” Chad made the introductions, “this is one of my prize outriders, Robbie Graham. Sierra’s our temporary cook, Robbie.”
    “Pleased to meet you.” Sierra stuck out her hand.
    Robbie yanked off his work glove, wiped his palm on his jeans, and shook her hand. “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
    Chad frowned. “I thought you were in Ponoka with Blaine, working as outrider.”
    “Got a call from the hospital about my little sister. Had to come home last night right after the race. But I’m heading back to Ponoka now, so I’ll be there in plenty of time for the race tonight.”
    “Everything okay with your sister?”
    “Yeah, she got a concussion during a baseball game, but she’ll be okay. She’s staying with a friend for a few days and then she’ll return to her own apartment.” Robbie’s face showed his relief that it wasn’t more serious.
    “I’m glad to hear it. Tough, you being her guardian since your parents were killed. But she’s a good kid, Robbie.”
    “I know. She’s eighteen, but in my mind she’s still eight.” Robbie grinned while the horse tugged on the reins. It appeared the equine wasn’t in the mood for standing around chatting.
    Chad stood beside Sierra,