The Delivery of Decor (Shiloh Ridge Ranch in Three Rivers #7) - Liz Isaacson Page 0,78

prison, and internally, she screamed. No one heard her, not even George.

Time passed, but Dot didn’t know how much. The cab of the truck stayed plenty warm, and she heard other trucks grumbling by hers on the road. The Glovers could get around their ranch easily, as it was just the new cliffs to the east that prevented them from accessing the dirt lane that led to the highway—and her freedom.

Eventually, Dot sat up. Foolishness filled her, and she met George’s eye. He panted in the front seat, his deep, brown eyes begging her to let him out. He loved to run and romp on the ranch, and she climbed over the seat and opened the door for him.

“There you go,” she said, glancing around. He trotted over to the patch of grass in front of Bull House and took care of his business. Dot hated how petulant and childish she’d acted, and she pulled her phone from her pocket to send a message to Ward.

I’m sure you need help somewhere on the ranch. Where would you like me? Dot faced the sun and closed her eyes, letting the light warm her skin as the breeze tried to cool it. She suspected Ward would call, as the man tended to get right to the heart of the matter instead of dancing around and sending texts.

Sure enough, her phone rang within the minute, and the jazzy pop tune she’d set for Ward’s ringtone met her ears.

“Hey,” she said after swiping on the call. “Where are you?”

“The stables,” he said. “We’re settin’ all the horses out for the afternoon. They’ll like it, and we’ll be able to get everything cleaned out.”

“I can do that,” she said, already stepping in the direction of the stables. They weren’t hard to find, even if Ward hadn’t given her a tour of the ranch the day after Christmas.

“We’re letting out the last of them now,” he said.

“I can shovel out stalls.”

“I’m not going to say no,” he said, the smile carrying in his tone. He cleared his throat. “I promise I won’t fuss over you.”

Dot sighed into the sky. “It’s fine. I just….”

“Got irritated,” he said. “Which is fine too. Heaven knows there are things that irritate me.”

“Yeah.” She couldn’t help wondering if they should be together if they bothered each other so much.

“I apologize,” he said. “I may or may not be a little freaked out at the idea of watching you slip into a coma again.”

Dot had never apologized for her health, because it really wasn’t her fault. She’d brought the supplies she needed for a couple of days, but she couldn’t plan for everything. She thought about what Ward had seen—thought about herself throwing up and crying in the bathroom through his eyes. What did he see when he looked at her?

“I’m sorry I got upset with you for being concerned,” she said, swallowing her pride. It didn’t taste as bad as she’d thought it might. “I’m sorry you had to watch me go into a coma—which I didn’t really go into, by the way. I maintained consciousness the whole time.”

“I know,” he said quietly.

“Still, that can’t have been easy for you, and I’m sorry. I’m going to write thank you cards to everyone who helped, and I’ll make sure you get one.”

He chuckled softly, and Dot watched him exit the stable up ahead. He really was stunning, especially when he stepped into the sunlight and raised his hand as if she needed help locating him. Ward stood over six feet tall, and his clothes seemed tailor-made for his broad shoulders and big biceps.

“I don’t need you to write me a card,” he said.

“No?” Dot grinned at him as they walked toward each other. She lowered the phone. “What do you need me to do?”

Ward hung up and shoved his phone in his back pocket, all while steadily striding toward her. He took her into his arms and held her against his chest. She listened to his pulse beat powerfully through his chest, and she tilted her head back.

“Kiss me,” he said, grinning wickedly at her. “That’s all I need.”

“Hmm.” Dot cocked her head as if truly considering it. “All right, I guess.”

He laughed, his hands moving to cradle her face in both palms. He kissed her, and Dot did exactly what he’d asked her to do—she kissed him back.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Ward stood on the edge of the cliff, the morning sunlight shining right into his face no matter how low he moved his