Page 101 of On His Ranch

They both broke off and when he grinned at her, she dropped her eyes to the counter.

“Come with me for a sec. I brought you somethin’.”

“A present?” Intrigued despite herself, when he slid off the stool and offered her a hand, she took it.

He walked her over to the booth and did not let go of her hand even after he sat, reaching under the table. When he brought his hand back up, she couldn’t stop the gasp that wrenched out of her.

It was a teddy bear. A large, overstuffed one with brown marble eyes and a face that was so charming it was impossible not to think it was actually smiling at her.

“What… what is this?”

“Well, I’d think that was obvious, ‘specially seein’ as how you want to open a business.”

She flushed, unsure if it was because of the gift, his gentle teasing, or the fact that he’d remembered. “I meant… why?”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong, I didn’t turn into a softie or anythin’ like that.” He winked. “It’s for you, so you can get back to work.”

She laughed, a hollow sound. “I take so many shifts here to pay back my… loan that I don’t have time for much else.”

Chase cleared his throat. “Well, I’ve been thinkin’ about that. And if you’d let me, I’d like to help.”

She shook her head.

“Well, thanks for thinkin’ it over,” he drawled.

Piper bit down on her bottom lip before she answered. “This is something I need to do for myself,” she explained. “That, and the back rent I owe Mr. Laskey. And after I catch those things up, I’m going to buy a used car. One I can get in cash.”

His eyebrows shot up. “What happened to the truck?”

“I sold it.”

Chase whistled low. “Well, then.”

No scolding, not even a disapproving expression. Piper couldn’t help but feel surprised. “You’re not gonna cry, are you?” she quipped.

“You know somethin’, I just might. I loved that truck.”

She couldn’t help but laugh.

“C’mon, stop bein’ difficult and sit a spell, hmm?”

She glanced at the empty bench across from him. “I don’t have long.”

“Well, as long as you do have then.”

Nodding, Piper slid across from him, her eyes roving his face.

“Somethin’ wrong?”

“No, I just… I’m surprised, I guess.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well… I thought you’d be mad. About the truck.”

He shrugged. “It was yours. I gave it to you to do what you wanted. I just hope you got a good price for it.”

She considered this with her teeth sunk into her bottom lip. “There’s something different about you.”

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