by Rachel Hanna
But the voice of reason reminded her that they were in very different phases of their lives. She was establishing a career in San Francisco. Miller needed to adapt to civilian life again, and there was no telling how long that would take. Besides, he had a lot to focus on with the ranch and plans for his rehabilitation center. It would take all of his spare time to get it off the ground. Miller had been right. They needed to get to know one another again. Yes, part of her loved the person he had been but he wasn’t that person anymore. The question was whether all of her could love the person he was now and at this point she didn’t have an answer to that question.
***
“So where do I get a shovel?”
Miller paused in his digging and turned at the sound of the voice. “Sophie, you’re here! I wasn’t expecting you until later.”
“My flight arrived early.”
“Was the drive down okay?”
“Yeah, no problems.” She strolled forwards and leaned on the wooden fence post. “Always hard at work.”
“Well until we can teach the cattle to sort out field irrigation, somebody’s got to do it. But this will do for today.” He leaned down and retrieved the bottle of water at his feet before making his way towards her and climbing over the fence.
Sophie tried not to stare at his muscled arms and the ridges of his abs but there was only so much temptation a woman could take. Sneaking a peek while he was focused on climbing over, she smiled and then reached for his shirt which was hanging on the fence. They had kept in contact regularly over the past five months, solidifying their friendship. However, as the months had passed, an element of flirting had entered their friendship. She couldn’t remember when or how it had started, but there was no denying that she liked it.
“Thanks.” Miller accepted the shirt from her. “Sorry I’m not exactly presentable. I wanted to get freshened up before you arrived.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m not complaining about the view.” She shrugged and offered him a mischievous smile as they walked.
“Well it’s good to know I meet with your approval.” Miller returned her smile. “Do you want to see the center now?”
“Sure.”
Sophie followed him to the nearby truck and slid into the passenger’s seat. Miller had invited her to the ranch on completion of the center and stables. He had realized his dream and she couldn’t wait to see it in person. They drove for a few minutes until they reached a single story white building adjacent to a paddock in which several horses grazed.
“Oh, Miller, it’s fantastic!” She turned to him with a grin before looking back at the building. On arrival she hopped eagerly out of the truck and looked at him. “So do I get the grand tour?”
“You do indeed. Come on, we’ll start with the stables.” They headed around the back of the building to the newly built stables before entering the rehabilitation center. When the tour was finished Sophie beamed at him as she hugged him. “It’s really something, Miller. It opens in a week, right?”
He nodded. “That’s right.”
Suddenly she laughed. “You were always the man with the long-term plan. It’s incredible.”
Miller chuckled quietly. “Yes, I guess I did have a penchant for planning. I even came up with a plan for you when I came to see you in San Francisco five months ago.”
“Really? What plan?”
“Oh I had it all figured out. I was hoping you would consider being a counselor in the center. Then you could live with me on the ranch and work here without doing actual ranch work, since I know how much you like shoveling horse manure.” He winked at her before smiling nonchalantly. “But not all my grand plans come to fruition. Come on, let’s head back for lunch.”
Sophie stood still as he moved forwards to exit the center. “Miller, wait.”
Pausing, he turned back to look at her. “What is it?”
“Would you have gone ahead with that plan if I agreed?”
He looked at her with an unreadable expression, before nodding. “Yes, I would have.” He took a step towards her. “What if I proposed that plan to you now, what would you say?”
“Have you considered an element of your center that would focus on fostering communication between families with soldiers in them?”
“If it was a distinct element then it would likely need someone to run that exclusively. It would take time to set up. Why? Are you applying for the role?”
“Is there a role to apply for?”
“There is now.” He stepped forwards again until he was close enough to feel her breath on his face. “Couldn’t tell you what the working hours are or any salary details yet. It would require some intensive one-on-one interactions with the person in charge to hash out the particulars.”
“Who is the person in charge?”
“Right now, that would be me.”
Sophie raised her hand to cup his cheek. “I’d like to apply for the role.”
“Sophie, are you sure?” The look in his eyes was a mixture of wariness and hope.
“Yes, I’m sure.” She leaned forward and tasted his lips, the kiss deepening as his arms came up around her. There was no rushing but rather a languidly seductive exploration that soon had her body feeling drugged with need for him.
Miller eventually broke the kiss but his lips hovered inches from her own as he pressed her close to him. “So, why do you think you’re well suited to the role?”
“Well I have the necessary experience. In addition, I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. I just needed time to be sure.”
“You’re hired.” He kissed her again but now with an urgency that portrayed all of the longing and desire he had for her. Steering her towards the reception desk he nudged her into a sitting position on it before stepping between her legs and guiding her back until she was pressed between the desk and his warm, muscled chest.
“So we’re going to do it here, are we? I thought office relationships were frowned upon.” She grinned as she reached for the belt of his jeans.
“Not only here. We’ve got a week to christen every room. Then there’s six years to make up for.” He offered her a devilish grin as he removed her shirt.
She returned his grin with a naughty smile of her own. “Good thing we’ve got a lifetime together then.”
More Books By Rachel Hanna:
Safe: http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Beginnings-Series-Romance-ebook/dp/B009OWG7C0
Second Chance: http://www.amazon.com/Second-Chance-Shannon-Beginnings-ebook/dp/B008SNXQ1G
Messages: http://www.amazon.com/Messages-Romantic-Suspense-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0091Z6KH2
Love In The Falls: http://www.amazon.com/Love-The-Falls-Beginnings-ebook/dp/B009FMVNGE
Christmas In Magnolia Cove: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-In-Magnolia-Cove-ebook/dp/B009ZMIBU0
Broken: http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Secrets-Madison-Falls-ebook/dp/B00B2TF8PU
For more by Rachel Hanna and to find out about her newest romance novel, connect with her at:
www.RachelHannaRomance.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelhannaromance
Twitter: @RachelHannaBook
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the author.
The scanning, uploading, and/or distribution of this book via the internet or any other means without the prior written permission of the author is illegal and punishable by law.
All characters are fictitious and not based upon any real person, alive or dead.
-o-filter: grayscale(100%); -ms-filter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share