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“I’ve had my eye on a woman here in town. I’m gonna ask her out.”

Sadie’s eyebrows flew up. “On a date? You never date.”

“Well, I’m going to start.”

“Who caught your eye?” Sadie had never heard her father express interest in any woman. Ever.

Dad chuckled. “Joel’s mother.”

“Ms. Rodriguez? You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

Her father scowled. “What are you talking about? She’s a beautiful woman. And very nice.”

Sadie wasn’t sure how to respond. When she did, her concerns came out in a jumble. “She’s kind of…um…she goes to church every Sunday, Dad. We’re atheists. And she’s pretty straitlaced. None of that taking-the-Lord’s-name-in-vain kind of stuff. Your favorite curse is Jesus Christ on a cracker. And…well, she doesn’t drink, does she? You own a bar.”

Dad shrugged as if none of that mattered. “Don’t care. Still going to ask her to dinner.”

Sadie sighed. Why was she fighting this? She was delighted her father was putting himself back out there. She sincerely hoped he found someone. Just…maybe not Joel’s mom. “Do me a favor?”

Her dad nodded.

“Don’t marry her. If things go well tonight, I could potentially be sleeping with my stepbrother. And that’s just…ew.”

Dad laughed loudly as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and guided her to the door. “Take the rest of the day off. Go make things right with those guys. And once it’s all worked out, tell them to stop by and see me sometime. I want to show them my gun collection.”

Chapter 12

Sadie sat on the porch of the bunkhouse looking out across the ranch. It was late afternoon. She hadn’t considered her timing after she’d walked out of the bar. She’d had a single-minded purpose and that was to come here.

And that was what she’d done after a quick pit stop at her apartment for a shower, some primping, a sexier shirt and the surprise she was hoping against hope she’d have the opportunity to use.

If she’d been thinking clearly, she would have realized the guys were working and called ahead. Or waited until quitting time. Which would have killed her.

Given the fact they hadn’t seen or heard her approach, they must be well away from the main part of the ranch.

So, she would wait. Part of her thought this was a lucky break because it would give her time to think about what she should say.

She soon realized that was a very bad thing. She was much better off-the-cuff, unrehearsed. The longer she tried to figure out what words to use, the worse they got.

She replayed the night at the restaurant over and over, her own cruel words slicing through her. Within half an hour, she’d worked herself into a frenzy. She considered hopping on her bike and splitting, leaving Maris and never looking back. That would be the easy way out—her mother’s way.

She didn’t even bother to stand. She’d spent a lifetime hiding and the better part of two months denying what she wanted.

Gravel on the driveway caught her attention. She didn’t move as she watched the pickup truck pull up to the bunkhouse and come to a stop. Sadie didn’t even blink as Oakley and Joel climbed out of the vehicle, their gazes resting on her face.

Only once they’d approached the porch did she bother to rise.

Before either of them spoke, she raised her hand as a slew of ridiculous words flew from her lips.

“Don’t read too much into this.” Wow. Great start. Clearly the old Sadie wasn’t going down without a fight.

“I mean, don’t expect much.” Oh yeah. That was much better.

Apparently it didn’t matter. Oakley started grinning like a guy who’d just won the lottery, and Joel leaned against the railing of the porch, arms crossed, looking like the cockiest son of a bitch on the planet.

She scowled. “Don’t look at me like that.” Her words were growing softer. They lacked conviction.

“You’re almost there,” Joel prodded. “Try one more time.”