Page 68 of Her Boss, Her Rancher: Sunrise On The Ranch

He smiled. “I like plenty of room. I do have company, and I have family now, thanks to Cade and my other half brothers. When they come to visit they need their own space. I told you before, Nate is married. He’s two years younger than Cade. He has a beautiful wife and a beautiful little baby daughter who is about two months old. They are back east right now, visiting her parents.”

“Is Cade the one close to your age?”

“Yes. Cade is the Callahan I know best. He’s the oldest of the three. Gabe is the youngest.”

While they talked, she gazed into his dark brown eyes. She was aware of how close he stood, and she considered initiating conversations only when standing across the room from him. This intense reaction was unique, disturbing and something she couldn’t understand. She turned to walk away, reminding herself to keep a professional distance between them.

“That’s it,” he said finally when they finished. “It’s early. Let’s go downstairs and talk for a while. You’ll live and work in my house temporarily, so we might as well get to know each other.”

She knew now was the moment to politely decline, but looking into his midnight eyes, she couldn’t. “For a while,” she said, unable to resist accepting his invitation. What was it about him that held so much forbidden appeal?

As they walked downstairs, he asked, “Want anything to eat or drink? We have desserts, more ice cream and an after-dinner liqueur. What would you like?”

“Just a glass of ice water, please,” she said.

They went to the sitting room at the back of the house, and he stepped behind the bar to get ice water for her and a beer for himself.

As she sat in a straight wingback chair, he sank down on a large brown leather chair facing her, sipped his beer and set it on a table. “Do you plan to stay with the nonprofit, or will you go back to decorating someday?”

“I plan to stay where I am. A project I have dreamed about is finding foster parents for homeless kids—now with the funds you provided, maybe we’ll be able to start that program. You would have room to take one,” she teased.

He gave her a startled look and then smiled, the corner of his mouth lifting a fraction. “That’s commendable, but a little kid right now wouldn’t fit in with my lifestyle.”

“Nonsense. You can hire nannies, maids and tutors, whomever you need.”

“I think you’re yanking my chain. If I take in a child, it won’t be to turn them over to staff to raise.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” she said, not telling him he surprised her. He didn’t look the type to be interested in child care. “My brother and sister-in-law have a two-year-old foster child right now. They’ve already started adoption proceedings, and the agency is helping them. She’s a precious baby.”

His black eyelashes were thick, slightly curly and added to his handsome looks. Was it going to be difficult to work for him? Even if he weren’t her boss, his cynicism didn’t fit her worldview. Perhaps his dad’s rejection had brought about Blake’s sour opinion of people. She couldn’t expect any of her arguments to change his mind. Because of that, she didn’t want to get involved with him, no matter how intense his physical appeal.

“Is this your brother’s first child?”

For an instant she stared at him blankly, and then remembered their conversation. “No, she isn’t. They have three other girls and a boy.”

“That’s overwhelming.”

“Not really. They wanted a family, and they have one they shower with love, but they feel they have room for another baby.” She paused. “You said you’re not planning on marriage anytime soon...”

“Not even remotely. I’m wound up in my career, and I’m not a family man at this point in my life.” He paused as if lost in thought while he shook his head. “Right now I don’t want a serious relationship. If I ever get romantically involved, I’ll have to give it a lot of thought and time before I make even a small commitment. You don’t sound as if you’re into serious relationships, either.”

“That’s right. I suppose for the same reasons as you. I’m immersed in my job and want to build our agency. Since I’m single, I can devote a lot of time and energy to getting things going. Also, with the money from you, we can get our programs on more secure footing and increase our outreach. You should try my profession sometime,” she said, half in jest.

He was too cynical about people to get involved in the details of helping others, but maybe she could make him see the good she was doing, the good his money would be doing. “You’ve already helped, but you could help more, maybe even on a small scale. You could easily start a program on your ranch for homeless kids, and you wouldn’t have to involve yourself any more than you’d like to get involved.”

He gave her another crooked smile. “Don’t try to talk me into saving the world. That isn’t my thing. I give in plenty of ways.”

“How much do you give of yourself, Blake? Try just once, and maybe you’ll see why I feel the way I do. Maybe you’d see the goodness in people.”

“Money will be a bigger help than my presence.”

“Blake, I’ve never known anyone so cynical.”

“Call it cynical. I call it realistic.”

Her gaze lowered to his mouth. What would it be like to kiss him? When she glanced up, his brown eyes were intent on her, as if he could guess her thoughts. She felt her cheeks grow warm. As she turned away, she heard a clock chime. “My word, it’s one in the morning,” she said, picking up her empty glass. “I need to say good-night.”

Standing, he grinned. “You don’t have to be anywhere at any specific time. You’re in charge of the schedule. As for me, I’ll be up and out of here before dawn, and then I’ll come back to answer any questions you have about getting started.”