Rosemarie couldn't stop the gasp from her lips as the massive front gate swung open. The snow had disappeared as if by magic and the trees were waving gently in the breeze. The fountain in the middle of the circular driveway was a bronze eagle sprouting water that hadn't frozen over in the chilly weather. The sprawling two story ranch rested on a crest, the faded pink bricks glistening in the pale sunlight. “This is amazing!” Rosemarie whispered. “How many rooms are there?”
“Eight suites in all,” Lance told her as he stopped the vehicle in front of the house. “Welcome to Billings Ranch.”
He hopped out and went around to open the door for Amy and helped her out just as Sal and another ranch hand come out to give them a hand. Introductions were made and Sal pulled Amy into his arms for a tight hug before letting her go, putting her away from him to study her. “Pregnancy agrees with you, and this one here hasn't been himself since you've been gone.”
“Good to see you, Sal,” Amy linked her hand through his arm as they made their way towards the front door. “How is Daddy’s ranch?”
“Well taken care of, girl. No need to worry.”
“Do I look worried?” she asked with an impish grin as they went inside.
Before he could answer, Rosemarie let out a little squeal! “Oh, my good Lord!”
Sal grinned as he turned to look at her. “Everyone has the same reaction, my dear. It kind of hits you in the pit of your stomach.”
“Treated wood and the staircase!” she murmured as she ran her fingers over the banister. “I don’t care how long it takes; I need to get the tour of this marvelous place tonight.”
“I'll do the honor,” Sal told her before Lance could respond. “I'm sure Lance is dying to be alone with his lady.”
“And I'm a little jet lagged,” Amy apologized.
“One of the maids will take your luggage up for you,” Lance told her. “We eat at seven.”
“Thank you. See you later, honey.” Rosemarie told her as she went with Sal.
“How about a nap before dinner?” Lance asked as he took her hand.
“You read my mind.”
Chapter 12
Lance sat on the side of the bed and brushed back her hair gently off her face. He'd ordered up a tray for them because she'd been complaining that her ankles were swollen, and she was exhausted. She'd barely managed to eat the meal that was before them before she went right to sleep. Even though he was achingly hard for her, he was content to just see her in his bed, inside his room. Happy that he could touch her and be with her. So, he pulled the covers over her and turning out the lights, he closed the doors behind him and headed downstairs.
“I'm sorry for being such a terrible host,” he said as he entered the dining room and went to pour himself some wine.
“That’s quite all right, Lance, Sal has been entertaining me with some really gory stories.” Rosemarie said with a laugh. “Is she sleeping?”
“Out like a light,” he said with an indulgent smile as he came over to the table to take a seat.
“Traveling has the opposite effect on me. I don’t get jet-lagged, I get energized, like the energizer bunny, while Amy is dead on her feet. I often wonder why she travels so much if it affects her so much.” She held up the wine. “This is very good.”
“Amy is hung up on wine labels so I invested in some for her even though she can't drink right now, but I like her taste.”
“That boy is smitten,” Sal murmured with a sly grin as he sipped his brandy and got to his feet. “Your woman is here now boy, so I guess all the work falls to me and the men.”
“Damn right,” Lance said as he stretched his legs out. “Keep me posted.”
Sal went over to the sideboard and grab a bottle of scotch. “Something to keep us warm.” He saluted Rosemarie. “Very nice to make your acquaintance.”
“I'm looking forward to getting the tour of the ranch.”
“Be prepared to freeze your pretty fan off,” he warned her as he headed out.
She turned to look at Lance. “You are good for her.” She murmured as she sipped the wine and stared at him over the rim. “I've never seen her so happy.”
“She's good for me.” His green eyes studied her. “I would do anything to make her happy. I had it all planned out; set the tone for proposing to her—”
He broke off at the shriek she made. “Oh, my goodness!” She clapped her hands to her mouth and set the glass down. “You're going to propose to her?”
“I am,” he said with a lazy grin. “I bought the ring and all that.” He leaned forward and placed his hands on the table. “You've known her a long time.”
“You've known her longer,” she pointed out.
“I knew her when she was a little girl and then she left and went away. I have a feeling she changed somewhat.”
“Not much, I think. What do you want to know?”
“Do you think she would appreciate a small intimate ceremony or a big society wedding?”
Rosemarie felt the tears brimming to the surface. This delicious, unbelievably handsome man with more money than anyone in her circle was planning the perfect wedding for her friend! She had seen the way he looked at her and realized that she'd never seen a man look at a woman like that before. She came from a world where it was accepted to cheat on their spouses and go about their lives as usual. “I think a small intimate wedding,” she told him quietly. “Are there any more of you around?”
He frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”
“You're this hot, rich guy with all this.” She waved a hand around the vast dining room with its antique furnishings. “And you're bending over backwards to please her. I want to find someone like you.”
“I'm sure you will, just give it time. A small intimate wedding? Are you sure?”
“Amy is a woman who doesn't much like fuss. For her birthday this year I suggested a party and she insisted that we go out to dinner. Besides, she's all about work and loves to read when she claims that she's taking a down time.”
“Thank you, Rosemarie,” he told her quietly as he got to his feet. “I'm going to retire for the night. Will you be okay?”
“I'll be fine. I'll stay down here for a few minutes and enjoy the wine, if that's okay with you.”
“It is. Is your suite to your liking?”
“You mean that lavish lavender suite with the two bedrooms, sitting room and the biggest bathroom I've ever seen? No hotel room has ever been so luxurious, yet so cozy and inviting. Thank you very much! And yes, it is to my liking.”
Lance grinned. “Good to know.”
*****
She woke up late that Sunday morning to find his place empty. Blinking at the slender sun coming through the drapes, Amy eased up onto her pillows and looked around the room with a slight frown. She remembered coming in from the airport and coming upstairs with the intention of going back down to eat dinner with Rosemarie and the rest and barely remember eating a meal Lance had placed before her before falling into a deep sleep. She removed the covers to see that he'd undressed her and somehow managed to put a nightgown on her. Swinging her legs over the bed she shoved her feet into the slippers and headed for the bathroom. She stopped just short of the doorway, her eyes widening as she took in the translucent blue green tiles and the slash of russet strips over the sinks. She turned to look at the room and realized that the beige carpets had been replaced by a deep russet brown. He was standing at the double sink, the bottom half of his face lathered and a shaver in his hand. He looked up and his eyes met hers in the mirror. Amy felt the deep punch of an emotion that she was sure that was way too strong to be just love. He was more than she deserved, more than she'd expected!