“Yes,” Chloe said with a nod. “Besides the pond, here’s another case in point.” With that, she opened a half door in the wall at the bottom of the staircase and placed Jade’s bag inside it. “Best parts of this house are the electric dumbwaiters.” She pressed a button, sending the bag to the second floor, and smiled at Jade’s surprise. “There’s one in the kitchen too.”
“Wow.” Jade smiled. “Perfect for a bed-and-breakfast.”
“I know,” Chloe agreed and started up the staircase. “Follow me.”
“Are the names Carson, Chester, and Clarence how the Triple C Ranch got its name?” she asked, truly interested as well as making polite conversation. But it wasChaseCooper who had knocked her for a loop.
“Yes, our great-great-great-grandfather bought the land. Later on, our grandparents, Coop and Zoe, named the ranch after their three sons. Our uncles never had children, so our parents kept the tradition alive when they named us,” Chloe explained, probably as she often had, as they reached the hallway at the top of the stairs.
“What a wonderful family legacy,” Jade said, carrying her purse as Chloe retrieved her bag from the dumbwaiter and led her around a beautifully carved banister. “You’re all so fortunate to have each other.”
“We are, and we get along really well,” Chloe replied as they continued down another hallway also decorated with antiques. “After Uncle Chester passed, Aunt Rachel stayed on with us and met Marty, who everybody calls Martyman.”
“The gentleman who’s going to fix your sign.”
“Right.” Chloe’s raven black ponytail danced as she bobbed her head. “Marty’s a great guy who works for Chase. He and another ranch hand named Mean Pete live in houses accessed through the cattle entrance on Chase’s ranch.” Chloe laughed at the look on Jade’s face as they came to the end of the hall. “MeanPete is one the nicest cowboys you’d ever want to meet.”
“Good to know,” Jade said. Chase, being the very first cowboy she had ever met, was also the most handsome man she had ever met. Her pulse had yet to slow down.
“In conclusion,” Chloe said, leading the way into the bedroom, “Aunt Rachel spends a lot of time with Martyman at his house, and since this house and land stay in the Cooper bloodline, she asked me to move in. We decided the place would make a great bed-and-breakfast, and she helps me run it.” With a laugh, she added, “And our guests don’t have to work like the guests on Cash’s dude ranch.”
“I suppose that’s expected?” Jade asked. “His ranch being the third one of the Triple C?”
“Yes, and yes. Triple C Ranch-East,” Chloe said. “What’s unique about Cash’s ranch are the five guest cabins with an outdoor kitchen under a covered, family-style dining area. It was all designed to be a working dude ranch from the get-go. His guests seem to love it, and they pay well to work. Cash is aptly named. He has it made.”
They smiled and laughed together in the bedroom that would be Jade’s sanctuary for the next four peaceful nights. Red and gold curtains, hanging from brass rods, were pulled to the sides of large windows covered with white sheers. The canopy and comforter of a lovely queen-sized brass bed matched the drapes. Framing the bed were carved cherrywood nightstands with inlaid marble tops. An antique trunk, much like the one Jade’s beloved grandfather had given her, set at the foot of the bed. Chloe placed her bag on the trunk.
“Where does your grandfather, Coop, live?”
“Also on Chase’s ranch.” Chloe opened a closet door to show her where she could hang her clothes. “I advertise my ranch as a bed-and-breakfast because a lot of folks are tourists and take off to Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, or other touristy places during the day. But as I mentioned on the phone, since you’re a local, I stocked the pantry and fridge, figuring you wouldn’t be going anywhere off the property until Monday.” Chloe glanced at her watch. “So make yourself at home up here and then find your way down to the kitchen for a light dinner.”
“Okay, great.” Jade nodded. “I came straight from my office. I’ll change into something more comfortable and be right down.”
“You’re our only guest until Chase hosts one of our annual picnics and barn dances. It’s in honor of Memorial Day, but since a lot of my guests and Cash’s leave early on Monday, we have it on Saturday evening.” Chloe walked across the bedroom and indicated a private, charming bathroom boasting a claw-foot tub. “In the meantime, you can swim unbothered in the heated pool or relax in the hot tub.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Jade began, thinking she might never want to leave.
“Later, you’ll meet Aunt Rachel.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Chloe left then, shutting the bedroom door on her way out. Jade sat down on the bed, and her thoughts immediately flew to Chase. He was effortlessly handsome, from his black cowboy hat all the way down to his black cowboy boots. At least six foot three and solid muscle, he was the most alarmingly attractive man Jade had ever met…on or off a ranch.
Or coming out of Franco’s office. Franco Spatafore. She ignored the familiar shudder. She’d arrived a little late due to making sure he didn’t see her when she left the office.
Back to Chase Cooper, his eyes rivaled the old glory blue of the American flag. Those eyes had narrowed appraisingly when he’d asked her where his horses were. Replaying every second of their meeting, she saw him remove his hat and run a hand through his thick, chocolate-brown hair after she’d replied,what horses?Telling her exactly what horses, he’d raised a rakish brow in a tanned face sporting the stubble of dark beard along his strong jaw. Before explaining where Chloe lived, he’d scowled so fiercely she’d turned away. Turning back to thank him for the directions, she caught the tail end of a cocky grin.
Jade’s cell phone interrupted her musing. She pulled her phone out of the Louis Vuitton purse Franco had given to her. It was him again. She didn’t answer. She had meticulously planned this getaway for weeks. She’d wondered how long it would take before he knew she had slipped away without telling him. The phone quit ringing, but as she was taking her shoes off, it signaled a voice message had been recorded. She didn’t listen to it. While tugging her dress over her head, a text message dinged. Hanging her dress on a padded hanger in the closet, a second message and another call sounded. All from him. There was an easy fix. She silenced her phone.
“Please leave me alone,” she whispered.
Jade unzipped her bag, and with each item removed, she unpacked some pent-up anxiety. She was determined to relax. A swim might help. She changed into a black bikini and pulled on a zebra print cover-up over it. Glancing into an ornate mirror above a marble top dresser, she smiled. Having the top down on her car had sprinkled a bit of sun on the pale skin of her cheeks and nose. Good. Too late in the afternoon to get more sun today, but no matter. She had several days to soak up the outdoors. She would bravely sport a tan when she returned to work next Tuesday. Sliding her feet into flip-flops and purposely leaving her cell phone on the marble nightstand, she left her room.
Trailing her fingers along the glossy banister, she wondered how often Chase visited the bed-and-breakfast. Descending the winding staircase, she wondered if he would ride over on that big black stallion. In the foyer, she glanced out the windowed panels on either side of the front door, wondering if she’d see Chase Cooper again. She wondered if she’d be invited to his picnic and barn dance. Walking down the hallway, she wondered if he had a girlfriend. Since when had she wondered such things about any man? Never.
“There you are,” Chloe called and gave her a wave from the kitchen. “I see you’re dressed for the pool. Good choice.”
“I didn’t think to bring a towel,” Jade said. All she’d thought of was escaping.
