The Reluctant Rancher Read Online Free PDF Page B

jeans . To her, he looked as sexy as John Wayne ever did on the big screen. Ma ry tried to calm her erratic p ulse as she took a seat at the scarred wooden table .
    “ I see you’ve already had breakfast . ” She waved a hand at the neatly washed and stacked dishes.
    “ Yep, ” Luke replied, his expression unreadable. “ I figured since I hadn’t had the dubious honor of eating anything you had prepared, I’d better ha ve at least one good meal today . ”
    Luke's mouth curved into a grin that transformed his rough features into a thing of beauty but his words still ignited Mary’s as usual too-quick temper. “ Now listen here, Mr. Tanner .. . ”
    “ Simmer down, sweetheart. I was only having a bit of fun. My grandfather told me you’re a great cook. ” He walked to the sink and dumped his coffee before picking up his faded Stetson.
    “ Well, your ‘bit of fun’ was at my expense and I do n’t like it, ” she snapped . He’d been gone for four days and she’d been looking forward to seeing him again.
    “ The name’s Luke. ” He placed the hat on his head then bent down to whisper in her ear. “ I can’t say I care much for jogging , but this suit is a blessing to any man’s morning. ”
    Whistling he opened the back door, and let it slam close behind him.
    Mary felt the blood rush to her cheeks at his flattery. She took a sip of her coffee and wondered if she had imaged the feel of his li ps on her ear. It didn’t matter. S he could still feel the warmth of his breath and hear the deep timber of his sexy voice. That would definitely fuel a few more of her impossible dreams.
    Ten minutes later Joseph’s arriv al forced her from her musings . S he realized she hadn’t even started breakfa st and hastened to put water on to boil for their morning bowl of oatmeal. Joseph placed two slices of bread in the toaster before taking a seat at the table.
    “ Boy , am I starving t his morning. ” T he older man grinned. “ It must be all that fresh air we’ve been getting. ” On the second day at the ranch, Mary had suggested some light exercise, nothing too strenuous, just short walks around the ranch yard. Since his arm was broken, Joseph hadn’t been doing his daily cho res or getting the exercise he was used to.
    “ This won’t take but a minute . ” She waved to the boiling pot. “ I guess I slept in late this morning, too. ” On chilly mornings when his arth ritis bothered him, Joseph didn’t rise much before nine. She pulled a knife from the drawer to butter the toast then realized she already had one. Determined to get her mind back on track, she finished the toast and placed a bowl of creamy cereal on the table.
    “ How are you this bright and beautiful morning, my dear? ” Joseph opened the sugar bowl and put two heaping tablespoons on his cereal. Mary hid a smile. She’d replaced the pure cane s ugar with a substitute and he had yet to comment on the difference.
    “ I want to talk to you. I called Dr. McAllister yesterday and got an update on your condition. ” S he spooned the sugar substitute into her second cup of coffee.
    “ Now, now, Mary, why bother Logan ? I’m doing fine. I hope you’re not getting bored way out here in the back of beyond. ” It took the better part of an hour to drive into town from the ranch and , with no transportation of her own, Mary hadn’t left the Circle T since she’d arrive d.
    “ Of course not. I’m used to entertaining myself. And don’t try to change the subject, ” she admonished with a smile. “ Logan seemed more concerned with your general health than he did your fall. Apparently your blood pressure is up and so is your blood sugar. ”
    “ Nonsense, ” Joseph blustered. “ I’m fit as a fiddle. ”
    “ If you’re so fit, then why do you need me here? ” She knew he could have serious problems if he didn’t take some remedial action now.
    “ Now don’t be thinking I don’t need you, Mary. I really do. You can show me