Page 81 of Second Chance with the Rancher

Triss pulled Mieka into a tight hug which Mieka reciprocated and the two of them stood there in the kitchen for a long time just holding each other not saying anything.

“I just want you to be happy,” Triss said after several long minutes passed between them. “No matter where that may be. I just want you to be happy.”

Hot tears pricked Mieka’s eyes and she squeezed her sister tighter.

“I mean, I wish that was here. Selfishly, I want my sister here. I want you to marry Nate and give me nieces and nephews that can grow up alongside my own children. But I understand if that’s not the path you’re meant to take. A pregnant, hormonal woman can dream though, right?”

“She can,” Mieka chuckled through her tears.

They clung to each other a little longer, then parted, each of them wiping their tears and laughing at how easily they seemed to cry these days.

“You should go shower and get ready for your date,” Triss said, turning back to her vegetables. “Dress nice, but practical.”

“What does that mean?” Mieka exclaimed.

Triss shrugged. “I have no idea.”

Chapter Eighteen

Nate laid down the flannel blanket on the grass at the far end of the field. He had hay bales directly behind them so they could lean back, and they also served as a base for the projector.

With the help of Asher, Nate had set up a white sheet that would serve as a screen, as well as strings of white lights. And since Triss was totally on board with Nate courting her sister, she helped him pack a picnic dinner, complete with all of Mieka’s favorites—including the Moroccan chickpea stew she said she loved so much—as well as wine and a surprise for dessert.

“You did all of this?” Mieka asked, her eyes wide in awe as she took in his effort to impress and woo her.

“I had some help, but yes.”

Smiling and blinking quickly, she took in all that he’d done. “It’s incredible and so beautiful.”

He grinned and kneeled down on the blanket, holding out a hand for her to join him.

Bruno, of course, wouldn’t let Mieka leave the house without him, as much as they tried to get him to stay, so he hopped onto the blanket, too, sitting down and letting his pink tongue loll out the side of his mouth as he smiled.

Mieka joined them on the blanket, and Nate pulled her into an embrace, wrapping his arms around her waist and claiming her mouth. It didn’t take long for Bruno to get jealous and rise up onto his back paws, while his front paws rested on Nate’s shoulder.

Giggling, Mieka broke their lip lock and turned to Bruno, scratching him behind both ears. “Are you jealous, Bruno? Are you the only man I should be kissing?” She bent her head and pressed a kiss to the top of his furry head. “You need to learn how to share, buddy.”

Nate reached up and turned on the projector, which in turn lit up the white sheet hanging fifteen feet in front of them.

“Are we watching a movie?” Mieka asked, settling down on the blanket and welcoming Bruno into her lap. Though, she didn’t really have a choice in the matter, Bruno climbed into her lap, made himself comfortable and gave her zero room for argument. Nate was beginning to feel a little put out how quickly and thoroughly he’d become second fiddle to Bruno—and possibly even to Mieka.

“Perhaps,” Nate said, starting the film, then opening up the big cooler he’d brought out with him. “Wine, m’lady?” he asked, pulling out a rosé he’d been chilling.

“Yes, please, good sir,” she replied with a fake British accent as she beamed at him and accepted the plastic stemless wine glass from him after he poured them both a healthy portion. She lifted her wine in the air slightly. “To making the most out of the moment,” she said, clinking her cup against his.

He forced a smile even though those words caused a sinking feeling to fill his gut. Yet another reminder that her time here was temporary. A moment. A blip. She was still planning to leave. Still didn’t consider life on the ranch something she could love, or even grow to love.

He wanted to argue with her, to ask her what else he could do to convince her that this could be more than just a moment, but he also didn’t want to ruin the mood, or come across as whiny and needy. He was still battling with the humiliation of hesitating when Bruno was locked in the shed and Mieka went in after him. If he started getting all weepy and whingy about her leaving, he’d drive her away even faster for sure.

“Oh my God, is this Save the Last Dance?” Mieka asked, the excitement in her voice pulling a real smile from Nate this time.

He glanced at her over his shoulder as he brought out the containers of food he’d packed into the cooler. “It’s your favorite, isn’t it?”

“It is,” she said, all giddy. “I can’t believe you remembered.”

“You only told me like a week or so ago. I also have a great memory.” He handed her some Moroccan khobz bread that was still warm from being wrapped in foil, along with a container of the chickpea stew. He’d googled a few recipes, but then Triss took pity on him and found the one most like Mieka’s favorite. She also helped by making the bread. His sister-in-law was a lifesaver. Triss helped him prepare the stew, couscous and the bread while he and Mieka were in Denver, and then he stepped into the kitchen while Mieka was in dance lessons with Hank. The khobz was sort of like pita bread and naan bread had a baby, that was the best way he could describe it. But it smelled delicious, so hopefully Mieka liked it.

“Is this—” Her bottom lip dropped. “Is this Moroccan chickpea stew and couscous?” she asked, her eyes going buggy. “You really do have a great memory.” Ignoring the spoon he offered her, she used the khobz bread to scoop up the stew—which was also still warm since it was in a stainless steel container—and she shoveled a big pile of it into her mouth. Her moans of delight had his dick twitching in his jeans. “Oh my God. Please tell me you didn’t make this.”

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