Page 20 of The Rancher's Jilted Bride

I know he owns the place, but he's a billionaire who has properties all over theworld.

Shouldn't he be somewhere else?

Or at least any other town that isn't expecting the first season's first big snowstorm to blow in?

I don't understand, God.

Either Aryan Hale has completely lost his mind or...oh.

Shock turns to worry.

For him.

I forget that he hates me, and I forget that I've decided to stop caring for him.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Hale. Did you lose track of time, too?"

Being trapped in the Sanctuary isn't that bad a thing for me, but Mr. Hale is a billionaire with an incredibly demanding schedule. He's sure to have a million better things to do than getting stuckhere, and I can't help feeling bad for my boss as I watch him take the steps leading down to the lobby.

He's right in front of me in moments, and my concern grows when I see his brooding expression.

"You're right," he says abruptly. "I lost track of time."

"I'm so sorry about that. Perhaps there's someone you can call—-"

"I'm afraid not."

Oh. Okay. Huh.

Didn't he answer that a little too quickly? He doesn't sound as troubled either. But maybe that's because he's still in shock at how things have turned out.

"I'm so sorry again. Is there anything I can do for you—-"

"Yes. There is."

Well, that was...fast?

"Do you know how to cook?"

Unbelievable.

It's the only word that's been echoing endlessly in my brain for the past twenty minutes.

Unbelievable.

If someone told me I'd be alone with the boss and cooking dinner for him, I'd have totally laughed.

Or cried.

Either way, it would have been too good to be true.

But I was wrong, obviously.

And that's why—-

I just don't understand what's happening, God.

What am I supposed to do now?

---