Second Chance Ranch: a Hope Springs novel (Entangled Bliss) by Cindi Madsen Page B

needed to stay locked away. “So, did you find a job?”
    She gave a humorless laugh. “Not so much. I filled out a bunch of applications, but apparently no one in the town is hiring—working fast food is starting to look like my only option. I’m probably going to have to swallow my pride and fill out applications for that next week.”
    He pictured her behind the counter of McDonald’s. He thought it would give him a sense of satisfaction. Instead, it felt like a lead weight in his gut. She didn’t belong there, and she hated to be cooped up indoors. “I’m hiring.”
    “Funny.”
    Holy shit, what was he doing? But at this point, he was desperate, not to mention severely sleep deprived, and he couldn’t seem to stop. “I’m serious. I’ve been shorthanded for a couple of months, and with the new batch of kids here for the alternative camp, it’s even worse. I need someone who knows how to work with the teens and with animals, and is willing to do other chores around the ranch.”
    She was also female, something his eyes were taking in despite his best efforts to not check her out—another habit he’d apparently failed to break. He cleared his throat and forced his gaze to her face. “You remember how to take care of horses?”
    She scrunched up her eyebrows, suspicion clear on her features. “Better than I remember how to rope. But why would you offer me a job?”
    Yeah, why, Dixon? Why’d you have to go and open your big mouth? And if she accepted, could he really handle seeing her every day? Then again, could he afford to go another day without her here, helping balance out the gender equation?
    He let go of the porch railing and leaned against one of the posts. “Sure, us working together is probably the worst idea ever, but you connected with Eli in record time, you’re good with animals, and I’d get a kick out of seeing if you can still handle a little manure on your clothes or if you’re too prissy now.” He shrugged. “Plus, I give you a week. Two, tops.”
    “A week?” She crossed her arms. “Do you not remember how stubborn I can be if I set my mind to something?”
    “I remember. It’s another reason I’m offering you the job. Pay’s not great and the hours are long, but if you think you can handle—”
    “I’ll take it.”
    “I’ll see you tomorrow at seven a.m., then. You might wanna wear something a little more practical.” And hopefully something that wouldn’t show off the fact that while she was far too skinny now, she still had a nice butt.
    She lifted her chin. “Great. See you then.” She turned and strode to her truck, those damn rhinestones on her back pockets glittering in the sunshine with each sway of her hips.
    And Royce knew he’d just done the dumbest thing in the history of dumb.

Chapter Five
    The next morning, hours before she usually woke up, Sadie pulled up to Second Chance Ranch once again. She had no idea what to expect. She wouldn’t be surprised if Royce laughed in her face and told her he’d only been joking about the job.
    She was actually ten minutes early, and she wasn’t sure if she should sit in the truck or go ask what jobs needed started, or what. After a moment of listening to silence so loud it was unnerving, she walked up to the large cabin that hadn’t been there back in high school. Thanks to Grandpa telling her about how Royce and his dad were building it the first time she’d come back home for a visit, she knew it was his.
    Maybe I should knock on Caroline’s door instead. She glanced at the cabin about twenty yards over, then back at Royce’s door. Stop being a wimp and let’s get this job started.
    She knocked on the door so hard it stung her knuckles, especially with the morning chill that wouldn’t burn off for an hour or so.
    Just when she’d decided he wasn’t going to answer, the door swung open. Royce squinted against the morning light. His hair was sticking up in several places, and his shirt was unbuttoned,