Expecting the Rancher's Child (Callahan's Clan) Read Online Free PDF Page B

be a lot of hard work that sometimes goes unappreciated and unrewarded.”
    “Wow, Blake. That’s strong. You’re only looking at the downside of what I do.”
    “Just looking at it honestly because I can’t understand your great faith in the goodness of human nature.”
    “I don’t know what you’ve experienced, but I have seen that people are good and can live up to high expectations, or occasionally exceed them. Look at you. You don’t need money, yet you work hard to build your hotel business.”
    He looked away and was silent a moment. She noticed a muscle flex in his jaw and wondered why her question caused him to tense up.
    “I want to know that I can be a success in the business world as well as in the ranching world. We all have our goals.”
    Wendell appeared, wearing a white apron over his jeans. “Dinner is served.”
    “Thank you.” Blake stood. “Leave your wine. There will be some poured at the table.”
    She walked with him toward the front of the house, and then they turned into the wide hall. In minutes Wendell directed them to a kitchen that was big enough to hold her Kansas City apartment, but the tempting smell of beef assailed her before she ever stepped inside. Doors stood open to reveal stainless steel appliances and state-of-the-art cookware that, when not in use, would be out of sight behind the elegant dark wood. A tall, slender woman with her brown hair clipped at the back of her head, smiled. Etta wore a white apron over a black uniform.
    “Sierra, this is Etta Strong, my cook. Etta, this is Ms. Benson, who is here to plan the decor for our new wing.”
    “So what’s for dinner tonight?” he asked as soon as the women had greeted each other.
    “Tossed salad with chunks of lobster, slices of avocado on the side and French dressing. Prime rib, asparagus hollandaise, mashed potatoes and gravy and buttermilk biscuits. With homemade peach ice cream,” Etta answered.
    “That sounds like a fabulous banquet,” Sierra remarked.
    “When you’re seated, I’ll get you started.”
    As Sierra walked with Blake to the adjoining informal dining area, she had another view of gardens and his irrigated yard, and marveled at the luxury of his lifestyle. She was thankful again for his check, and after their earlier conversation, she knew he needed to see some of the good his money would do.
    They sat at a table that could easily seat ten. Wendell came with a bottle of red wine and one of white. He asked Sierra her choice and tipped red into her glass before pouring Blake’s.
    Etta set the prime rib in front of Blake for him to carve. She returned with a bowl of steaming asparagus that she served.
    After the first bite of prime rib, Sierra sipped her wine and smiled at Blake. “I have to agree—you have a fabulous cook. This is delicious.”
    “Wait until you try her homemade ice cream. Wendell helps her with that.”
    “No wonder you like the ranch so much.”
    He smiled. “The food is the best, but there’s more than food. Have you ever been to a rodeo?”
    “No, I haven’t.”
    “Actually, one of the best is in New York City, the Professional Bull Riders at Madison Square Garden,” he explained.
    “Do you ever participate locally?”
    “Sometimes—not as much now as I used to. I have ridden bulls a couple of times, but not seriously. That’s a bit rougher than I’m up for.”
    “Aw, shucks,” she said, smiling. “So I won’t see someone I actually know in a rodeo. The pictures I’ve seen look wild.”
    “That’s the thrill of it,” he said, and she laughed.
    Through dinner, he was charming, keeping the same professional manner as if they were at a business dinner in Kansas City. Even so, there was an undercurrent of sensual awareness, and every minute spent in his company drew her closer to him and heightened his appeal.
    As Wendell removed her dinner plate, she smiled. “My compliments to the chef. That was one of the most delicious dinners I’ve ever eaten. I