Page 152 of Her Boss, Her Rancher: Sunrise On The Ranch

“No, we don’t like it, Mommy,” Jared said.

“Youdon’t.” Bella stomped her feet and pouted. “But I think it’s perfect.”

Sienna giggled again and shook her head, joy twinkling in her eyes as she and Jared conspired and both chorused, “No!”

Bella laughed at the silliness and they moved on.

They came upon a giant open-air shed decorated with all sorts of multicolored lights, blow-up Santas and snowmen, and pretty wire reindeer. The owners were selling ornaments and tinsel and trees, of course. Hot cocoa and snacks were also available to make the shopping experience even more fun. “Hey, let’s get some hot cocoa,” Jared suggested. “And maybe a Christmas cookie or two.”

“Sounds great,” Bella said.

“Okay, I’ll be right back.” He handed Sienna over to Bella but the baby left his arms quite reluctantly.

“Tared be right back,” her daughter repeated.

“Yes, he’s coming right back with cookies, sweetie. Don’t you worry.”

She found a hay bale to sit on and cuddled up next to Sienna, keeping them both warm. But when Jared didn’t come back right away, Bella began scanning the grounds, wondering what was keeping him. She spotted the woman first; the neighbor she’d met not too long ago. Johnna stood close to Jared, holding on to his forearm like her life depended on it.

Ripe, unwelcome jealousy slashed through Bella and she took a hard swallow. The two seemed to be laughing about something, the mists of their breaths mingling, and it was like a knife slicing her heart. But she had to come to grips with the fact that she had no real claim on Jared. They hadn’t spoken of matters of the heart. What was happening between them was all so new and...and...her life was such a mess right now.

Watching Jared with a woman who wasn’t lying to him, a woman who seemed genuinely nice, a woman he had known most of his life, not only confused her but brought her reality back to the forefront. What was she doing with Jared Stone?

Having an affair?

Hiding from her real emotions?

Jared returned shortly after, holding a box of goodies, and noticed her mood immediately. “Sorry, it took longer than I thought,” he said, breaking off a small piece of cookie and giving it to Sienna. “Here you go, sugar plum. I ran into my neighbor,” he added.

“Hmm, Johnna.”

Jared handed her a foam cup of hot chocolate. “Yeah, Johnna. She’s all excited.”

“I could tell.”

Jared shook his head, a cocky smile lifting one side of his mouth. “Hey, no need to be jealous.”

“I’m not jealous, for heaven’s sake. I have no right to be.”

“You have every right to be. I mean, you have no need to be. I mean, what the hell, Bella? You’re making me crazy. Before I met you, I wanted nothing to do with Christmas ever again. And now look at me. I’m here having a Christmas experience with you and Sienna, and enjoying myself. Doesn’t that tell you something?”

Bella couldn’t keep her lips from twitching. “A Christmas experience?” A chuckle escaped.

The heat in his eyes mellowed and he smiled. “Yeah, that’s what I said.”

“So what’s the big news with Johnna?”

“She’s getting back with her ex. He’s been trying to make things right with her for months and they’ve finally worked things out. There might be a wedding soon.”

“That is good news.” Now she felt like Scrooge.

“Bella, you have nothing to worry about. I’m not...going anywhere.”

“Because you live here.”

He rolled his eyes. “Woman, don’t you know how much I care about you?”

She inhaled deeply. “I’m...beginning to.”