The Rancher's Wife by April Arrington

spacious foyer as warm and welcoming as it’d been in the past. The rich grain of the hardwood floors gleamed, several coats hung from a hall tree bench by the entrance and festive garlands draped elegantly from each banister of the winding staircase.
    The low rumble of voices, children laughing and silverware clinking sounded from a large room on the right. Two teenage girls dressed in green-and-black chef uniforms strolled by carting pitchers of iced tea and water.
    â€œYou’ve hired some help, I see,” Amy said, noting the girls’ bright smiles and energetic expressions.
    Betty nodded. “Raintree has done well the last two years. We’ve had to renovate the family floor and expand to accommodate more guests.” Her eyes brightened. “Logan and Cissy started an apprenticeship program for high school students last year. We have positions for students interested in culinary arts and equine management and the school gives them class credit on a work-based learning program. The kids learn and make money at the same time. And, believe me, those teenagers are a Godsend in the kitchen around the holidays.” She smirked. “Wish I could get your sister to peel potatoes as willingly as they do.”
    Amy laughed. “I’d pay good money to see that.”
    She glanced at Logan, warming at his lopsided grin. It was reminiscent of him as a teenager. Even then, he’d taken an eager interest in the business side of Raintree and had been determined to build it into a successful guest ranch. From the looks of things, he’d succeeded.
    â€œSeems you’re doing a great job managing Raintree,” she said. “You must be proud.”
    Logan shrugged. “It was mostly Cissy’s doing. She and the twins didn’t have much when Dom brought them to Raintree, and she knows how some families struggle. She wanted local kids to have as many opportunities as possible to succeed.” His smile widened. “Dom’s even getting in on the action. He’s trying to talk a friend into partnering so he can offer bull riding clinics.”
    Amy smiled. “That’s wonderful.”
    The warmth in Logan’s smile traveled upward to pool in his black eyes. The pleased gleam in them calmed her pulse and parted her lips. Lord, how she’d missed him. Missed talking to him, sharing dreams and celebrating successes. She missed her best friend.
    â€œThere’s our girl,” a deep voice rumbled.
    Amy spun, a giggle escaping her as a tall, gray-haired man approached. Tate Slade, Logan’s father, had always held a special place in her heart. Having lost her dad to a heart attack at age seven, Amy had found a second father in Tate—or Pop, as everyone called him—as soon as they arrived at Raintree. His familiar gait and handsome smile provoked a fresh surge of tears. Pop pulled her close for a gentle hug and she pressed her cheek to his broad chest.
    â€œIt’s so good to have you home for a while,” Pop murmured.
    â€œI’m glad to be back.”
    He kissed her forehead, stepped back and nodded at Logan. “You made it back right on time. The guests have already settled in for Thanksgiving dinner and Betty has almost finished setting up the family table.”
    Logan slipped the bag from Amy’s shoulder. “I’ll get Amy set up in a room and we’ll be there in a minute.
    â€œDon’t think that’s possible.” Pop hesitated, splaying his hands. “A lot of guests missed their flights yesterday because of the storm. We’ve had to extend their stays and ended up with double bookings. Everything’s packed tight. Except for y’all’s—” he winced, nodding at Logan “—I mean, your room.”
    Logan flushed. His knuckles tightened around the handles of the bags and he shifted from foot to foot. Betty fidgeted with the hem of her apron and Pop studied the toes of his boots. The