Rancher For The Holidays (Love Inspired) by Myra Johnson Page B

started feeling too much like an inquisition, he asked to hear more about the outreach ministry.
    Instantly, the energy level around the table ramped up several notches. With everyone talking over each other, Ben could sit back and relax a little. At one point he realized he’d become riveted by Marley’s animated use of her hands as she described the team’s summer mission trip to Candelaria. She caught him looking at her, and with an embarrassed grin she dropped her hands into her lap.
    “But that brings up another point,” Ernie said. “If we’re going to accomplish everything we want to by Christmas, we seriously need to decide on a fund-raiser.”
    Pete Oldam turned to Ben. “I bet with your background in advertising, you could be a big help with fund-raising ideas.”
    “Oh, no,” Ben said. “Corporate promotions are a whole different animal from charity events.”
    “Besides,” Marley said, “Ben’s just visiting Alpine while he’s between jobs. I’m sure he won’t be around long enough to get involved with a fund-raiser.”
    Ben’s sensitivity meter redlined again. He thought he detected a tinge of resentment in Marley’s tone. What he couldn’t figure out was why. Hadn’t he been completely up-front about his job-hunting intentions?
    Angela tapped Ernie on the arm. “Sweetie, isn’t the grill about ready? We should get the burgers started.”
    While Pete helped Ernie at the grill and Bonnie went inside with Angela to get the rest of the food, Ben drew Marley aside. “Am I making you uncomfortable by being here?”
    “What? No, of course not.” Marley forced a laugh, then shrugged. “I have a million other things on my mind, that’s all.”
    “Anything I can help with?”
    She counted off on her fingers. “You’ve already bought me an expensive lunch, carried paint buckets for the mission team and propped up my business with a portrait sitting for your aunt and uncle. Oh, and carried my guacamole. For a guy just in town for some R and R, I’d say you’ve gone well beyond the call of duty.”
    The breeze picked up suddenly, sending smoke in their direction. Coughing and fanning their faces, they stepped apart. Marley excused herself to help the ladies with the food, and Ben tried to look as if he knew something about grilling burgers. He’d certainly burned his share on his patio hibachi back in Houston.
    Hanging out with the guys, though, with the kids romping on the lawn and the tempting aroma of sizzling beef in the air, made him miss similar times with his dad, brother and nephews. Would he ever get to experience the simple pleasures of family life for himself? Certainly not as long as everything revolved around his career.
    But he had to make a living, didn’t he? Raising a family these days wasn’t cheap. Someday, when he’d saved enough, then maybe he’d be ready to settle down.

Chapter Five
    A fter worship on Sunday, Marley hurried home to change into jeans and sneakers. She whipped up a berry smoothie for lunch and sipped it from an acrylic travel tumbler as she drove over to her studio. Letting herself in the back door, she made a quick stop in the darkroom to admire the wedding proofs she’d developed yesterday afternoon before going over to the Coutus’. Somehow she always needed to convince herself her pictures were as good as she first thought.
    “Oh, yeah.” Marley nodded as she studied the play of light and shadow in a black-and-white shot of the bride beneath a latticework arbor, a dreamy look in her eyes as if her sweetheart was just out of camera range. And he was, wisecracking until neither Marley nor the bride could keep from laughing out loud!
    Yes, this shot was a keeper, definitely wall-worthy. Marley made a mental note to frame an enlargement and display it prominently out front.
    As she closed the darkroom door, a sardonic smile curled her lips. Always the photographer, never the bride. Would she ever find the hero of her own love story?
    Thoughts of