Page 9 of Cameron

She could spare a few moments, and besides, she wanted to learn more about Cameron.

“I can only stay a few moments. Tara is in charge of the tree decorating tonight and I need to help her.”

“Tree decorating?”

“Yes, the wedding party is going to decorate the tree that will be near the altar for their wedding. Why didn’t Francesca have her wedding at your ranch? You’re friends after all.”

The man smiled at her and warmth filled her.

“She wanted a white wedding with snow on the ground. We couldn’t guarantee her snow, so she looked elsewhere.”

“We have plenty of snow this time of year,” she said. “But tell me about the Burnett Ranch. I think our families probably started their spreads about the same time.”

“Yes, we were started in, I think, 1876.”

“My great-great-great-great-grandfather laid claim to this land before Montana was a state,” she said, an ache building in her heart. What if they lost the ranch?

She could barely stop the tears welled in her eyes. “This place means a lot to me,” she said.

Reaching out, he took her hand and her pulse jumped. She liked the way he made her feel.

“Yes, I understand the feeling. Is it just you and your brother? No cousins?”

“No, it’s just us and my cousin who is the bookkeeper,” she said. “Most of the family didn’t want to continue ranching, but I can’t imagine living any other way.”

A big grin spread across his face and he leaned in close to her. “Me either. I’ve lived in the city and I always go home to the ranch as soon as possible.”

Samantha thought of her years away at school and she realized he was right.

“Me too. When I’m here, I’m at peace. It’s like this is where I belong. My father always thought I’d marry and move away, but I don’t know. Every day I doubt that more and more.”

His thumb rubbed the back of her hand caressing her flesh and it was soothing.

“Our ranch is run by a board of directors that consists of all my cousins. There are twelve of us and we’re closer than most brothers and sisters. And then I have two brothers. Aunt Rose is the director and she runs a tight ship. You don’t mess with the captain unless you want to get burned.”

How nice to have family to help make the right decisions. Her father had always been the captain of their ship and until two years before his death things had been fine.

“Your aunt sounds like she’s a real character,” she said.

“You have no idea. She never married and she knows where every penny is spent on that ranch,” he said.

Had her father been like that? There was so much she didn’t know about their accounting and her brother was not one to tell them unless it was bad news. Lately it had only been bad news.

“What’s it like running a dude ranch?”

He gave a little laugh. “We do very well. But the summers are busy. The guests can be tiring, and well, I’d like to expand into something more for adults. I like the idea of a place where couples can get away. A place where they can ride horses, get massages, quiet dinners, and time for them to spend together.”

That sounded wonderful. She’d like to go there as soon as this wedding was over.

“The Burnett Ranch doesn’t offer that?”

“No, we’re a family-oriented place,” he said. “But I’m building my own business. I’m looking for ranches with little cottages or even homes for couples. I’ve already bought one and now I’m looking at some other properties that would work.”

A trickle of alarm spread through her.

“Well, we’re not for sale,” she said. “Besides, we’re getting into weddings to help pay the bills.”

He glanced down at their hands that were still joined.

---