The Rancher's Marriage Pact by Kristi Gold

again. “It’s a hard life on a ranch. Not for the weak of spirit or faint of heart.”
    â€œIt’s not that bad, Maria,” Jenny said. “I’ve adjusted just fine, but then I did spend several years on a horse farm.”
    Maria turned her frown on the other mother. “You spent those years throwing garden parties, so your opinion doesn’t count. And since you’ve been here, I don’t recall you even picking up a garden rake, much less muck a stall.”
    â€œDon’t listen to her, Paris,” Jenny said. “I planted the roses in the hedges.”
    â€œBully for you,” Maria muttered.
    Feeling the need to play peacemaker, Paris decided to change the subject. “Where exactly is Dallas now?”
    â€œIn the barn, of course,” Maria said. “He told me to send you there as soon as you’re done eating.”
    Wearing a pair of sandals in a barn didn’t seem wise, but anything beat dueling stepmoms. After consuming only half her food, Paris dabbed at her mouth, put the napkin aside, pushed away from the table and stood. “Ladies, it’s been a pleasure meeting both of you, and thanks so much for your hospitality. Now if you’ll direct me to the barn, I’ll be on my way.”
    Maria pointed behind her. “It’s that way. Big building with a big door. Can’t miss it.”
    Jenny rose and took Paris’s hand. “Sugar, I am so glad you showed up here. I know Dallas is, too.”
    Paris only wished she could be sure of that. “Thanks, Jenny, and if we don’t see each other again, I’ll always remember our meeting fondly.”
    â€œOh, you’ll be seeing her again,” Maria said from her perch at the table. “Me, too. A lot.”
    She wanted to jump for joy. “Then he’s decided to hire me?”
    Jenny and Maria exchanged a strange look before Jenny regarded her again. “You could say that in a manner of speaking. Now run along, sugar. Dallas doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
    If a chance existed that Dallas Calloway would soon be her boss, she would run all the way to the barn.
    * * *
    When he noticed Paris picking her way carefully down the rock path, Dallas propped the shovel against the rough-hewn wall and smiled. His amusement was short-lived when he realized what he was about to do, and what was at stake—his future as the head of the D Bar C Ranch and his project, Texas Extreme.
    If he went through with his plan, some might consider him pretty mercenary. Or insane. Or both. But at the moment, he only cared about the opinion of the good-looking woman entering the barn.
    â€œMaria said you wanted to see me,” Paris said as she balanced on one foot and shook the sawdust out of her sandal.
    â€œYeah,” he told her, although he was seeing a little more than he should, namely a nice glimpse of the curve of her breast when she leaned over and removed the other shoe.
    After she straightened and tugged at the hem on the sundress, her attention turned to some focal point behind him. “What a beautiful horse.”
    Dallas glanced over his shoulder to find the black gelding poking his head through the opening in the stall. “That’s Raven. Even though he lost his stud status years ago, he still knows a beautiful woman when he sees one.”
    A slight blush colored her cheeks. “He must not get out much.”
    Dallas still couldn’t get why she didn’t realize her worth. He’d be happy to take a turn at trying to convince her. But not now. Not yet. He had something more pressing that required her consideration. “How was breakfast?”
    She leaned back against the opposite wall. “Wonderful. Maria said you wanted to speak with me.”
    â€œYeah. I thought I could show you around.”
    â€œAround where?”
    â€œThe barn.” Although the bedroom would be better , a thought that luckily hadn’t jumped out of