Page 67 of Stepping in for the Billionaire Groom

“Howdy.” She rested her bag to extend an arm his way.

Blake worked to snap out of his stupor. He looked down at her dainty hand before shaking it in return. “Hi.” The beauty gave him a wide smile, her hazel eyes warm, friendly, and set right on him. His belly warmed in response, giving life to that weak side of him once more.

“Well then,” the officer said. “Let’s get you signed up and squared away.” He patted at his chest before looking to Reese. “Do you have them papers?”

Blake followed the officer’s gaze.

“Yes,” the woman said. “I just tucked ‘em in here after I signed ‘em.” She handed the stack directly to Blake, before digging into her bag once more. “Here’s the pen.”

Blake hadn’t known he was such a sucker for the sound of a woman’s southern accent. Turns out he was. “Thanks.” His mind was blank as he thumbed through the stapled pages, his fingers clumsy and numb.

“Your part’s the latter section of the document,” the officer said. “Just uh… sign at the double X’s there. ‘Course I’m supposed to encourage you to read through it first, but it basically states that you’ll help protect the gal, won’t disclose any of her information, stuff along those lines.”

Blake nodded before glancing at the woman once more.Thatwas Reese? He couldn’t get over it. He whipped past the pages she’d already signed, noting how lovely her signature was. The truck served as a table top while he scribbled his name at two different places before handing the stack to the officer. “Sorry about the dirt,” he said, wiping the back of the page. He suddenly wished he’d run the thing through a carwash.

“Aw, a little dirt never hurt no one,” the officer said. He reached out to shake Blake’s hand. “I’ve got a plane to catch.” He turned to the woman next. “I’ve always wanted to say that.”

She smiled and tilted her head, a soft laugh trickling from her lips. “Thanks for all your help, Lloyd,” she said, throwing her arms around the man. “I know my family ain’t supposed to contact me, but I’m just dying to know how the girl’s recovery goes. Think y’all could sneak me a few updates somehow? Maybe by mail or somethin’?”

“I’ll see what I can do, Reese. Just assume that no news is good news. ‘Sides, Doc Halloway says she’ll recover just fine.” He turned to Blake. “You take good care of this gal. She’s one special lady.”

“Will do,” Blake assured. After a bout of awkward silence he spoke up again. “Let me get your things for you.”

As he loaded her items into the back seat of his truck, Blake tried sifting through the new thoughts running through his head like a mean stampede. Just a few minutes ago he’d been certain his prayers were answered. Getting a new guy on the ranch. One with experience, no less, like Earl had suggested. Instead he’d been handed another job to take care of. A rather attractive one, he’d admit. But talk about distractions. How was he supposed to keep on top of things while caring for some high maintenance, sweet smelling, smooth-handed woman from Texas whose accent alone could melt every good sense he had?

After loading her luggage, Blake held out a hand, assisting her onto the running board. She offered him another one of those smiles as she stepped up. It wasn’t until she’d pulled the seatbelt across her lap that Blake realized he was staring. He tore his gaze away while stepping back and closed her door.

He shook his head as he strode around the back of the truck. Heaven help him. He was more distracted than a rooster in a hen house. How would the guys respond back home? He’d gotten them all up, shared the good news about the new ranch hand who’d replied to his help-wanted ad (as he’d told them) and now he’d bring home a woman – one the guys would be whistling at, drooling over, and hitting on. His protective nature roared up. Blake would do what he could to shelter the pretty thing from all their crass remarks and pick up lines. He only felt bad that she’d been sentenced to such a fate.

But how had the mistake been made in the first place? Uncle Earl had never had such a thing happen before. And now… he paused before opening his side of the truck, a thought occurring to him. Earl sure had been harassing him over staying single for so long. ‘Course twenty-four was still young, way Blake saw it. But still, was it possible his uncle had done this on purpose? Allowed the woman to come to the ranch in hopes that his hard-working nephew would find love?No,he decided. It’d been an innocent mistake, was all. And though it might not be what he wanted – or needed – as far as the ranch was concerned, Blake would shelter this woman the best he could. So long as she could take it. Poor woman didn’t know what she was in for.