Rancher Wants a Wife Read Online Free PDF Page B

The other two hadn’t made it out alive, but Cassandra had been rescued by a volunteer fireman.
    The Dunleighs discreetly ignored the visual marking.
    “Miss Hamilton,” said the very tall housekeeper, whose gray hair was impeccably groomed. “Welcome to California.” Her gold-rimmed spectacles slid down her nose.
    “Very nice to be here.”
    “May I take your shawl?” asked her husband. He was six inches shorter than his wife and slightly hunched.
    “Please.”
    “And your hat?” asked Mrs. Dunleigh.
    Cassandra hesitated, then slowly slid it off. No one paid her any mind. Jack hadn’t realized how tense he was about the whole hat thing until she finally gave it up, and he breathed out a sigh of relief.
    He peered toward the table by the door, and the overflowing letter holder there.
    “The mail came this morning, sir,” said Dunleigh. “Some correspondence appears to need your attention immediately. One letter is from the auction house in San Francisco.”
    “I’ll get to it shortly.” There seemed to be a never-ending pile of paperwork from his suppliers and customers.
    “Dr. McColton,” chirped the housekeeper, “I’ve set some refreshments on the terrace.”
    “Very good.” Jack ushered Cassandra through the house.
    He wished they would warm up to each other, but there was only strain. She took in the view as their boots tapped on the clay-tiled floors. Colorful rugs lay scattered in the sitting room between the horsehair sofas and chairs and fieldstone fireplace. Mexican artwork adorned the plaster walls. Twenty feet up, timber rafters crisscrossed the ceiling.
    The kitchen, with two fireplaces, butcher-block counters, sideboards lining two walls, and a wide pine table, overlooked one of the terraces. The dining table could easily accommodate fourteen.
    “My, Jack,” Cassandra said. “I had no idea your house was this huge. Why didn’t you tell me?”
    “Everything in California’s big. I didn’t notice.”
    She tilted her head, eyes sparkling as if she didn’t quite believe him, and he noticed with a quickening of his pulse that there was some tenderness in her gaze.
    “Shall we sit outside?” he asked.
    She nodded. They made their way to the bamboo chairs beneath a trellis. Thankfully, the color had returned to her face, which was shaded by the lush fronds of the palm trees above. “What a gorgeous spot.”
    Jack adored the view, too. It was why he’d decided to buy this piece of property. Land as far as the eye could see. Rolling vales and sloped vineyards that blended into a big blue sky. The scent of earth and wind, and a feeling that Mother Nature had taken extra care when she’d created Napa Valley.
    “Sir,” interrupted the butler. “Two gentlemen to see you from San Diego.”
    “Today? But they weren’t supposed to arrive till next week.”
    “They mentioned they had business this way, sir, and wished to call on you today. Shall I—” Dunleigh glanced at Cassandra, who seemed to withdraw “—ask them to return next week?”
    “Please go ahead, Jack.” Cassandra lifted a cool drink to her lips and sipped.
    This wasn’t what he’d had in mind for her visit. He’d hoped to spend the whole day with her. However, the rest of the afternoon continued in the same manner. Every time they’d begin to talk, there’d be an interruption, and he was called away. Every time he’d try to lean over and say something more intimate than “Help yourself to another bite of cheese and grapes and walnuts,” one of the Dunleighs walked in with another announcement.
    He found Cassandra outside two hours later, steps from the terrace, gazing at the colorful flowers and shrubs he and his gardeners took such pride in. She bent lower and sniffed a wild rose, a pink one, and her hair tumbled over her shoulder. She pushed it back with pretty fingers.
    “Now I know where you got that beautiful bouquet.”
    “Sorry for all the interruptions.”
    “I think I’d better get back.