Page 24 of Secret Baby for the Triplets

Then again, I haven’t had a ranch administrator who looks like Emerson Ward before.

We’re used to stunning women arriving in luxury cars, their perfect smiles gleaming as they step out in revealing tops, trust funds, and platinum cards at the ready. It’s been that way for three generations—catering to the affluent who want the finest horses money can buy.

But few carry themselves with the poised dignity of the woman descending the steps toward me.

Is that all it is? The way she’s carrying herself? Or is it more than that?

I haven’t been able to shake off whatever it is that’s nagging me about her since I first laid eyes on her resumé. Like I’m somehow connected to this woman. If I believed in fate, I’d say the universe is pointing me to her.

But I don’t believe in that sort of thing, so I’ll settle for a competent ranch administrator.

She adjusts her round glasses and offers me a nod. “Shall we?” she drawls. “Sorry to keep you.”

“You didn’t,” I reassure her, turning for the door. “You all settled?”

She hesitates, looking behind her, and nods quickly. “As settled as I need to be for the time being. I’m eager to get to work.”

“Let’s get to it then.”

I lead the way out of the coach house and toward the waiting ranch truck. We’d driven up from the main gate today, leaving her vehicle at the entrance upon her arrival. Before dropping her bags at the coach house, we did a full sweep of all the roads, including the lesser-known fire roads, to give her a full lay of the land.

Now we drive a straight shot up the main route connecting the barn, office, and stables. I find myself peering at her profile as she takes in the corrals on her right, the awe on her face palpable. My pulse speeds up, my brain tickling slightly like it’s trying to tell me something, but I can’t quite identify what.

She is lovely to look at, though.

I have to stop staring at her, but she makes it hard. She makes me hard, much as I hate to admit it. I haven’t stopped thinking about her since her interview.

Fuck, I’m acting like Toby.

“I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to this sight,” she admits, glancing back at me. “I wasn’t just giving you a line at my interview. The photos don’t do this place justice, as beautiful as they are. There’s a feeling about it you just can’t capture in a still form.”

“You won’t get used to it,” I confirm. “I haven’t, and I’ve lived here my whole life. It still takes my breath away every single morning.”

I pull the truck to a stop in front of the office, and we climb out, heading inside. Andy, our lead ranch hand, lingers in the outer office with his daughter over the reception desk.

“Hey,” Andy calls to us, and I stifle a small groan.

I’d forgotten to tell Lana not to come in today. The teen picks at her fingernails over the desk without acknowledging us at all.

“Hey, yourself,” I reply, removing my hat as we enter. I run a hand through my hair and nod toward Emerson. “This is Miss Ward. She’s our new ranch administrator.”

“Emerson will do,” she corrects me pleasantly, extending a hand for Andy to take.

“This is Andy, our ranch manager, and his daughter, Lana. She has been answering phones and doing some administrative tasks, while we looked to fill the position full-time.”

Andy eyes us warily, and for the first time, Lana seems to clue in that something has changed. He hastily accepts Emerson’s proffered palm and releases it just as fast, stepping back.

“Oh… you don’t need Lana around here anymore?” the rancher asks.

Emerson’s smile falters, and she covertly steps back, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.

“Why don’t you wait in my office, Emerson,” I suggest to the young woman.

This is my fault. I should have dealt with this earlier. I’d just been so caught up with the idea of having Emerson come in, I hadn’t thought about anything else.

Without a word, Emerson retreats further into the building, and I face my long-time employee.

“Why aren’t you in the stables this morning?” I ask, changing the subject.

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