“How are you even awake right now?”
He winked at her. “Stimulating conversation with a beautiful woman does wonders.”
Emily’s cheeks warmed. She’d hardly call herself beautiful, especially with two black eyes and stitches in her head.
“If I work through the night very often without catching up on my sleep, I’ll fall asleep in a heartbeat if I sit still too long.”
As enjoyable as this was, maybe she should hurry this tour up. She pointed beyond the house and stables in the one direction he hadn’t mentioned.
“What about that area over there?”
“That area has sandy soil. Nothing has ever grown well on it, so I’m leasing it to the government for a solar project.”
Emily’s eyebrows shot up. “A solar project?”
“If I can ever get the mountain of paperwork finished,” he said through gritted teeth. “It should provide a number of additional jobs here in the area for a few years while it’s being built.”
“That’s admirable. Won’t it cause a lot of unwanted traffic on your ranch?”
“I’ll build a separate access road this fall. So it shouldn’t disturb the workings of the ranch much.”
Emily shifted her body to stare at him. “I’ve only known you a few days, but I have to say, you amaze me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I look at all you do, all you are responsible for, and I’m amazed at your hard work, determination, and compassion.”
Jake waved a hand as though brushing off her praise. “You want to know what amazes me?”
“What?”
“That.” He pointed out the windshield to the setting sun shooting golden rays upward from the horizon. The underside of the scattered clouds had a pink tinge to them. “When I look at the beauty of God’s creations, I feel so insignificant yet grateful to be a part of it all.”
Emily stared at him a moment longer before appreciating the sunset. “It is beautiful.”
As Emily admired the beautiful landscape that resembled a patchwork quilt and the setting sun with its golden rays, a comforting warmth settled over her. She’d been trying so hard to remember who she was and where she belonged it had created a constant tension in her.
As the tension slipped away, it dawned on her—at this moment, despite all she didn’t know about herself and the danger she was in—this was where she wanted to be. Right here, on this ranch, with Jake, knowing he would keep her safe.
As hard as it was to accept the way things were, she was grateful for this amazing, handsome rancher and his mother.
She pulled the elastic from her braid and separated the strands. She ran her fingers through her hair and shook it out, gently massaging her scalp, willing herself to let go of her worries.
At least for a little while.
Chapter 13
Jake had grown so relaxed talking to Emily he risked falling asleep. Until the scent of strawberries filled the cab of the truck. He recognized the scent as the same shampoo Riley used. But it had never smelled like this on his sister.
He studied the horizon, trying to analyze his attraction toward Emily. Was it because she was in danger or because she was so easy to talk to? Maybe it was her beautiful green eyes and full red lips.
Emily continued to shake out her waves, and the scent grew stronger. So did his attraction. Her hair brushed his arm below the sleeve of his t-shirt, setting his skin afire.
Had she done that on purpose to make sure he noticed? Like he’d worn this tight t-shirt to get her attention? He glanced at her face.
Her eyes were closed. For the first time since she’d awakened in the hospital, her features were relaxed.
She’s beautiful. Despite the bruises.
