by Holly Rayner
So Kelsie took the offer for what it was: genuine and with good intent.
“Do you have any of your coffee cake?”
Marge nodded with an approving smile. “Fresh out of the oven. Will be just fine to take over tomorrow, too, in case you get busy today.”
“Thank you. As usual, you’re an angel among women.”
Marge laughed again and packaged up Kelsie’s food, sticking in a special treat for Cowboy, who was just as well known in town as Kelsie. The two women chatted about the upcoming town meeting while Kelsie paid, and then the vet headed back to her truck for the drive home.
Two patients and more paperwork later, Kelsie looked at the clock and decided that if she didn’t eat lunch then, she might as well wait for dinner. So, she went upstairs and got the salad out of the refrigerator, then took it out on her deck with a glass of iced tea.
The day was still hot, but at least a breeze had kicked up. Here on the deck, off the ground, the July air was actually bearable.
It was nice to sit outside and eat, and it gave her the opportunity to watch the goings-on next door. The movers were almost done, it looked like. The truck had been closed up and was being maneuvered carefully back down the driveway to the road. The smaller van was still there, and Kelsie guessed that the movers were all inside arranging furniture and such. It was surprising that the new owner wasn’t there to oversee everything.
Just then, Kelsie heard a low roar that got louder as she spotted a white sports car racing down the road. The car probably cost more than she’d made in her working life, and was definitely not a vehicle suited for high desert living.
The car screeched to a halt in front of the house, the brakes literally squealing as the vehicle slammed to a stop.
So much for the new owner being a family with kids.
The driver’s door opened and Kelsie unconsciously leaned forward to get a better look. The arm and leg that emerged first was clad in a light-colored suit, and the male body that followed made Kelsie wonder if the temperature had suddenly gone up a few degrees.
Tall and dark, definitely, Kelsie thought. Then, he took off his sunglasses and Kelsie sighed. Yep, and handsome. Maybe it was just the distance. He couldn’t look that perfect close-up. Nobody could look that perfect close-up. Thick black hair, dark skin that didn’t look like a California tan, and a body that, even in a suit, looked like it belonged in front of a sculptor.
He turned and Kelsie sat back, not wanting the man to notice the nosy neighbor ogling him from her back deck. She was sure he hadn’t seen her as he walked into the house. Even that walk had her fanning herself. He had coiled energy like a panther and a single-minded purpose that she could see even from afar.
Intrigued, Kelsie wondered what an obviously wealthy, exotic man was doing in Rancho Cordero, and what he was doing buying the Atchison house. For being such a small town, they had their share of diversity, but still, he was definitely going to stand out. She didn’t want to assume anything, but she definitely wanted to learn more.
Any investigation would have to wait, though, since there was work to be done. Kelsie put the thought of the handsome new man next door out of her mind and went to tend to her sheep.
Kelsie’s about to discover that her hot new neighbor has a big secret, and her town’s future is at stake! Can she be the one to change his mind?
Bought by the Sheikh Next Door is available on Amazon now
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More Series by Holly Rayner
SMALL TOWN SHEIKHS
The Sheikh’s Small Town Baby
Seduced by the Sheikh Doctor
Bought by the Sheikh Next Door
YOU CAN’T TURN DOWN A SHEIKH
The Sheikh’s Surrogate Bride
The Sheikh’s Unexpected Twins
The Sheikh’s Secret Princess
MORE THAN HE BARGAINED FOR
The Sheikh’s Twin Baby Surprise
The Sheikh’s Triplet Baby Surprise
The Sheikh’s Quadruplet Baby Surprise
The Sheikh’s Quintuplet Baby Surprise
The Sheikh’s Sextuplet Baby Surprise
The Tycoon’s Triplet Baby Surprise
The Sheikh’s Borrowed Baby
The Prince’s Triplet Baby Surprise
THE SHEIKH’S NEW BRIDE
The Sheikh’s Priceless Bride
The Sheikh’s Bride Bet
The Sheikh’s ASAP Bride
Sold To The Sheikh Bidder
The Sheikh’s Stolen Lover
The Sheikh’s Bought Ballerina
The Sheikh’s Secret Child
SAN BRAVADO BILLIONAIRES’ CLUB
Second Chance Twins
Nanny For Hire
The Baby Bargain
Accidental Triplets
Take My V-Card