The Rancher Meets His Match (The Millers of Morgan Valley #4) - Kate Pearce Page 0,26
it’s okay. I’m glad I still had my boots on.”
“Me too.”
Kaiden wrapped his large, callused hand around her ankle and leaned in so close that his breath feathered against her skin. She looked down at his dark head and for a crazy second wanted to bury her hand in his thick hair and drag him even closer.
“I can’t see any damage, but feel free to kick me if it makes you feel better.”
“Wherever I want?” Julia rallied.
He winced. “If you must, but please think of my future children.” He released her ankle and stood in one fluid motion. “Do you want to put some ice on that? I can get you some.”
“I think I’m good.” She put her boot back on and gingerly put some weight on her foot. “It’s fine.”
“Lunch should be ready soon. Do you want to come and meet everyone before it starts?” Kaiden glanced at her inquiringly.
Good, he’d gone back to being the perfect host and backed off a few feet. For some reason when he got close, he fried her brain, which she didn’t appreciate.
“That would be nice.” She glanced over at her father who was chatting with Jeff. “My dad seems to be having a great time without me.”
Kaiden held out his hand and she took it, gently setting her foot on the floor and easing her weight onto it.
“See? I’m fine.”
He nodded, and keeping hold of her hand, moved toward the tallest guy in the kitchen, Ben Miller, who stood with his arm around a diminutive blonde who even from the rear was instantly recognizable.
“Hey, Ben!” Kaiden called out. “Do you remember Julia?”
“Sure! Best-looking girl at our school and the smartest.” Ben made a space for them and grinned across at his sister. “Apart from you, of course, Daisy.”
He bent his head to the woman beside him. “Honey, this is Julia Garcia.”
“Hey!” Silver Meadows, one of the most famous film stars in the universe, grinned at Julia. “Nice to meet you! The Garcia Ranch shares boundaries with our place, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s right.” Julia couldn’t believe Silver knew that.
“Are you managing it now?”
“No, I’ve just come back to see my father for a couple of weeks. I have a full-time job in San Francisco.”
“Really? What do you do?”
“I’m a lawyer.”
“Gah.” Silver pulled a funny face. “Not my favorite kind of people, but I bet you’re one of the good ones.”
“I try to be.” Julia couldn’t take offense at Silver’s remarks. She knew her profession was a tough sell.
“Shame you’re not into land management, we could do with some more female ranchers out here.” Silver winked at Ben. “Way too many Miller and Morgan men strutting around like they own the place.”
“Technically, the Morgans do own half the valley,” Daisy mentioned. “But I take your point.”
“Can’t argue with Silver,” Kaiden said. “Although Ruth Morgan is a badass.”
“The original and best.” Silver nodded. “I’m currently stealing all her recipes so I can impress Ben.”
“You do that every day.” Ben looked down at her so tenderly that Julia wanted to sigh. “Just by being here with me.”
Kaiden made a gagging sound. “Dude. Stop that. You’re in public.” He punched his brother on the arm. “You two are way too happy together.”
Silver went on tiptoe and planted a kiss on Ben’s bearded cheek.
“Jealous, Bro?” Ben grinned at his brother.
“Damn straight, I am.”
As he turned away, only Julia saw Kaiden’s wistful expression. Didn’t everyone want someone to love them like that? She knew she did, but in her world, it was as rare as hens’ teeth. How Ben had managed to meet and fall in love with Silver was obviously a story for another day.
“Everyone take a seat!” Jeff Miller shouted. “Now!”
Kaiden again reached for her hand as if it was the most natural thing to do, and guided her to a seat between him and her father. She smoothed her fingers over the elaborate beveled edge of the table.
“Did you make this as well as the cabinets, Kaiden?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“You really are very talented.” Julia looked up at him. “If you lived in the Bay Area you could sell these handmade items for a fortune.”
“But then I’d have to live in the city.” Kaiden made a face.
“Don’t knock it if you’ve never tried it.”
“You can’t really say that you like it, can you?” Kaiden gestured at the window. “Compared to this?”
“I appreciate the energy there and the opportunities,” Julia countered. “And I couldn’t do what I love if I didn’t live there.”