Page 26 of Branded Betrayal

“Yeah, running a ranch is a full-time job.”

I nod. “It’s more than I anticipated, even with a couple of ranch hands who work here part time. I can barely keep my eyes open when I finally get a chance to sit down at night. Thankfully, my boss said he’d speak to senior management about a solution.” I shrug. “I guess I’ll have to see how it goes.”

Tyler leans closer, the flecks of gold in his dark eyes glimmering. “Well, I’m glad to have at least six months. Maybe that’d be enough to convince you to stay longer,” he says, a slow grin lifting his lips.

A hot flush creeps up the sides of my neck. “Doctor, are you trying to make me blush?”

I’m flirting back just as hard, but why the heck not? He’s cute and charming and funny. And if I’m being honest, it’s nice to have a distraction from the rest of my reality, especially the part that includes Blaze Hartman.

He shrugs, a sly look on his face. “Depends. Did it work?”

I giggle again, interrupted by the sound of the oven timer before I can respond. I walk over to the oven door and pull it open. Rich decadence fills my lungs. “Oh yes, that’s exactly what I need,” I murmur. I put the cake pans on the island and look at Tyler.

“I admire your grit,” Tyler says. “And if that smell is any indication, I think I’m really going to admire your baking prowess too.”

I clasp my hands together. “I know I should let it cool longer, but I am so impatient. And I also love cake fresh from the oven, when it’s still a little gooey in the center. That’s my favorite time to eat it. The frosting gets melty, and so does the jam. So good.”

“I agree. I love a gooey middle.” Tyler stands up. “What can I do to help?”

“Um, just pass me that spatula,” I say, pointing to it on the counter as a tiny pang cuts into me.

Blaze never liked eating cake out of the oven. Always said it bothered his stomach.

Jeez, even at our base levels we were never meant to be.

I glare at the cake as if it’s just taken on the face of the bastard I hate to love.

There’s a perfectly nice man standing in my kitchen, a man who is considerate and interesting and engaging. So why do my thoughts have to get knotted up on a guy who made it clear he doesn’t give a damn about me beyond trying to make me feel completely incapable and out of my element?

I’ve just met Tyler, and he already makes me feel safe. But despite everything, something under my skin is still craving the way Blaze makes me feel alive.

Dammit, I hate myself for still wanting that rush more.

A loud knock jars me, and the spatula clatters on the floor, raspberry jam spattering across the hardwood floor.

“Don’t worry about that,” Tyler says. “Go on, get the door. I’ll clean this up.”

“Sorry, I guess I’m just a little jump—” The words die on my lips when I open the door.

An invisible noose tightens around my neck.

Did my thoughts literally manifest him to show up on my front porch?

“Why are you here?” I say, my hand gripping the brass doorknob tight.

“Came over to check on your water pump and make sure everything’s working properly.” He opens his hand to reveal a palmful of rusty nails. “Found these in the pasture. If they mix in with the cattle feed, could be really dangerous.”

My jaw drops. “Oh my goodness. I was just out there earlier and didn’t see anything. Thank God you saw them.”

He shrugs. “Just gotta be real careful.”

“Hey, ah, Savannah, I don’t want to interrupt, but I’ve got to be going.” I flip around, suddenly remembering that Tyler is still here. “Rooster emergency.” He grins, looking from me to Blaze. He sticks his hand out. “How are you doing? Tyler Burgess, town vet.”

Blaze narrows his eyes at Tyler’s hand but doesn’t take it. “You here for business?”

I swallow a gasp. “That’s none of your concern,” I hiss.

“Oh, I was just here checking out the animals,” Tyler says smoothly. “I know Savannah’s got her hands full, so I just wanted to give her one less thing to worry about.”