Page 113 of Her Boss, Her Rancher: Sunrise On The Ranch

“You met Marie. She’s a sweetheart, but she’s getting on in age and my present condition is taking a toll on her with all the extra work she has to do. For years, she’s worked part-time here and part-time at Cooper’s place. Now I’m afraid the chores are too much for her.”

“What are you saying to me? How can I help?”

“I understand you’re good in the kitchen and it just so happens I’m in need of a personal chef.”

She gulped air, totally surprised. “You need a personal chef?”

“Yes. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. Marie’s got too many chores around here as it is. She could use the break and...well, I’m offering you the job.”

“To...be...your...personal...chef?”

He smiled, his eyes lighting up again, as if he was glad she was catching on. Oh, yeah, she was. He was indebted to her and this was how he was going to repay her. “Yes.”

“But, you don’t even know if I’m qualified.”

“You can send me a résumé at your convenience. But I don’t need one. I trust you’re up to speed on your cooking skills.”

“Oh, yeah? And how would you know that?”

“Because...I already know what kind of person you are. Besides, I’m not fussy. Just put a burger and fries in my face and I’m happy.”

She laughed. “I’ll remember that.”

“So you’ll take the job?”

“I didn’t say that. There’s a lot to consider.”

“You need a job and I need a cook. What’s to consider?”

“You’re forgetting that you live way out here, miles away from Dallas. Working out babysitting arrangements would be difficult, if not impossible. I don’t want to be gone from Sienna for too long during the day.”

“That’s the beauty of this great big ranch house.” He spread his arms wide. The gesture cost him physically. Her heart went out to him, seeing him so bravely mask his pain. “You can have your own wing of the ranch house, two rooms just for you and Sienna upstairs. I’m basically living down here right now anyway since climbing the stairs is like aNinja Warriorobstacle for me. You’d have all the privacy you’ll need.”

“My goodness, Jared. You want us to move into your house? I mean, that’s generous and all, but I can’t—”

“Don’t say you can’t. Think about it. You’ll have a job where you won’t have to leave Sienna at all. She’ll be right here while you’re working. She’ll have a yard to play in and wide-open spaces to run at her heart’s content. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful that you saved my life, but I really do need some more help here. My solution is a good one, for all of us.”

He had a good heart but her pride was getting in the way of her good sense.

“I don’t know...”

“Give it a try, Bella.” His voice cut into her senses. So deep, so sincere. He really wanted to help her and she appreciated that. “If it doesn’t work out, there’ll be no hard feelings. It’ll be up to you.”

He was offering her something better than she could ever hope for: employment, a home and a way to stay close to Sienna. Taking the job would buy her time to sort out her life and make some long-range plans. “Let me talk it over with my best friend. I, uh, just need a little bit of time.”

“It’s a deal,” he said and then glanced at her daughter. “Would you like a cookie, Sienna? You can have as many as your mommy says you can have.”

Sienna faced him and smiled, her sweet dimples lighting up her cheeks.

“One,” Bella said in her mommy tone.

“Like I said,” he began, “you can haveonecookie. And I bet your momma would spring for some lemonade, too.”

Sienna giggled, nodding at the man who could barely move on the chair opposite her.

He was in bad shape right now and seemed genuine in his job offer.

Could she take a leap of faith and accept the job? Could she go through with it, concealing her true identity from Jared Stone in order to keep Sienna safe?