Page 6 of The Rancher

“This is a business event, I’m not certain that no underwear is appropriate. I don’t want to ruin the gown by having panty lines.”

Rachel smiled. “I understand. I have a nice undergarment that might work. Do you want to try it?”

“Yes, please.”

Rachel brought her a pair of panties like Spanx but thinner and silkier. “This might be just what you are looking for. If you ever go out for pleasure, you might try it without the under garment.” She winked.

Lyris tried on the panties. There was a tiny line at her waist, but otherwise they worked. She sighed. They would have to do; she couldn’t attend a business function with no underwear.

She paid for the gown and headed back to the ranch, smiling all the way. Wouldn’t Ray be surprised when he saw her? She suddenly wondered why she even cared what he thought. Yes, he was handsome…hot, really. She loved the way his blue eyes popped with his black hair and the three-day stubble made him even sexier. But why would a billionaire like him be interested in a veterinarian like her?

The guesthouse hadan attached two-car garage. Ray had provided her with the remote.

Lyris entered through the kitchen and headed to the master bedroom. The rod in the closet was too low, so she twisted the gown’s hangar so it would go over the top of the door. It probably wasn’t the best solution for the long term, but it would do for now.

By the time she’d finished hanging the gown, it was time for dinner, and she was starving. She’d missed lunch while she was shopping.

Lyris washed her hands and face, put on a little mascara, some lip gloss, and called it good. She wasn’t big on wearing makeup, given what her job usually entailed. It made little sense to her to worry about makeup when helping to deliver a foal or giving shots or diagnosing an ailment.

She was the last one to arrive for dinner.

Maddy, Ray, Amy, and another man were already seated.

Lyris slid into the chair next to Amy, as she had the previous night.

“Lyris, this is Ted Gulliver. He’s my stable master. He’s been on vacation, and this is his first night back.” Ray waved his hand toward her. “Ted, this is Lyris Jennings, the new vet. I’m sure you’ll get to know each other very well as you work together every day.”

Lyris nodded to Ted. “Pleased to meet you. I’d like to get together to see just what the operation is like. I’ve been doing some preliminary work, checking teeth, looking for overt signs of illness, that sort of thing.”

“It sounds like you have everything in hand.” Ted was in his forties, wiry, with brown hair balding on top.

Dinner was pot roast, one of Lyris’s favorites. She wasn’t a dainty eater and loaded her plate with meat, potatoes, and carrots—lots of carrots. Occasionally, her mother had said she was only into the pot roast for the cooked carrots. Sometimes Lyris agreed with her.

After dinner was over, Ray led the way to the family room where he had a bar cart set up. Everyone but Amy joined him. Instead, she stayed behind to clean up the dinner dishes.

“The full bar is off the movie room downstairs,” Ray said from next to the cart. “Would you like a drink?”

Maddy was on one end of the sofa with her legs folded under her.

Ted sat in one of the overstuffed chairs.

Lyris nodded from her seat on the opposite end of the sofa. “I’ll take a glass of white zinfandel if you have it. If not, I’ll have a screwdriver.”

He frowned a little. “I don’t have that wine. I’ll have Amy pick up some, if you let me know what brand it is.”

She waved him off. “Don’t worry about it. I can get it myself.”

“Nonsense. You live here now. I’ll keep whatever you like on hand.”

Lyris accepted the drink he made her. “Thank you.” She’d never had any previous employer keep her wine in stock. Ray seemed like he treated the employees more like family.

Ray turned to his daughter. “Maddy, are you staying?”

The girl had been quiet during dinner and now unfolded her legs and stood. “Actually, Daddy, I think I’ll head upstairs.”

Ray stopped what he was doing and went to Maddy. He immediately put a hand on her forehead. “Are you feeling okay? Do you need to see a doctor?”

Maddy rolled her eyes. “I don’t need to see a doctor. I just want to vid with Jenny.”