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  “You have to let me thank you properly, for stopping for me,” Royce said.

  A gusty breeze blew Susanna’s hair into her eyes. Royce watched her fight the betraying blonde swirls that were wrapping around her face.

  She smiled politely and said, “There’s no need.”

  Ignoring her response, Royce continued, “So you live out here somewhere?”

  He waved his hand in a circle to signify the prairie. He looked out at the murky darkness, and his voice lowered a notch. “Wow, you live in the middle of nowhere.”

  Susanna looked at him quickly. “I like it out here.”

  Royce’s brows lifted. He boldly put his hand on her shoulder and added, “I can think of a lot of things I like.”

  Susanna had pride and couldn’t let him think she was that kind of girl. She thought she could brush his hand off lightly, but once she touched him, his hand felt very heavy in hers.

  “It is sad that I can’t compliment your big blue eyes, or check to see if your hair really does hold golden kisses from the sun. What could I say to warm such a hot woman?” Royce looked at her with gravity.

  An involuntary gasp was ejected from her diaphragm. A deep, double blink and heavy inhale helped her remain focused on surviving his practiced blows.

  So far, he was behaving just like a man. Never mind that he was scarred and trashed after an accident. He was only concerned with a woman. Judging by his friends who were cleaning up the motorcycle debris from the road, he was used to being cared for. The fact that Royce’s words were a little more polished just meant he was practiced in the art of seduction.

  Susanna bit her lip silently. She could tell Royce was interested in her. She wondered if she should give him a piece of her mind, or if even that was too much of her body. When she was younger, she thought it was her right to be treated well by a man; however, that was a dream of the past. Susanna overworked the ranch, and her home. She was proud of the fact that she rarely asked anyone for help. Whenever she did ask, it usually seemed to backfire or slow her down. She was fiercely independent, and for this reason, she felt superior.

  Tonight, Susanna could prove her theory on men one more time. She remembered what a man thought when he saw a woman. When a man sees a woman, he automatically thinks she is in some sort of distress. A woman needs a man because she either needs physical, sexual, or monetary help from him. If she were to deny them, then there must be some sort of emotional distress. Men think that women can only be successful with a man physically there, all of the time. Susanna loved proving them wrong, and she did it with style.

  She didn’t need help with anything. Her guard was always up against people who might take advantage of her, or at the very least, slow down her workday. When Susanna saw Royce, she saw someone who needed help. She didn’t know what kind of help he needed yet, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to know.

  She had decided all of this while standing beside him and watching the road get cleaned up. She stood back a little bit and looked up at Royce. He appeared indifferent to everything around him but her. He stared at her with a very full expression, like he couldn’t decide what to say to her.

  Once more, Susanna wondered if he was always like this, or if the asphalt meeting had left him a little worse off than normal. She mentally kicked herself for wondering something she had already decided to put away.

  The sage scented wind picked up and moved Susanna’s hair across her face. Royce, moving slowly, used his thumb to release her hair from the lipstick trap that held it.

  Susanna stood very still as he took his time. She wasn’t used to people invading her bubble. This small movement from a stranger gave her confusion and excitement. He was smooth and gentle. His movements and trajectory were right on mark. It only took two tries to clear her face of the misplaced hair, and he put his hand down with apparent reluctance.

  All of the things she had been wondering about him disappeared. Susanna didn’t wonder why he was looking at her the way he did, she just knew it felt different. They looked at each other expectantly. Royce had tons of charm with the ladies, and that part of his expectancy reminded Susanna not to swoon. He seemed ready to lean in on Susanna for a kiss.

  She sidestepped him and turned toward what was left of the accident. All signs of mishap had been cleared. The men were milling around the truck and looking at Royce covertly, as if awaiting orders.

  “Hey, we’re heading back to town,” Royce yelled at the men.

  The recipients of the news were excited to have some direction. Two men jumped into the cab of the truck, while the third man helped back up the truck and trailer.

  Royce took a step to stand in front of Susanna. He blocked her view of the men, and subsequently commanded her attention.

  “Of all the things to run into?” Royce looked at her questioningly.

  Susanna raised her eyebrows at him. “There are a lot of deer along this part of the road. There is a pond right over there, and they always gather there for water.” Susanna pointed over his shoulder.

  The confused look on his face got even deeper.

  Susanna was compelled to address it. “You look dazed, and I don’t know if it’s from the accident or if it’s normal. You should go to the doctor. You did just get in a car accident.” Susanna knew she was stammering, and she had every right to do it.

  “A wild animal brought us together. Here’s a salute to nature.” The flask was back out and he took a pull. “Nature brought us together, what’s a doctor going to do about that?”

  Royce smiled and held out the silver container.

  Susanna lost her breath when she looked at Royce. He was so smooth. Not only the things that he said, but his jawline as well. His face was wide and symmetrical. A big smile split his face in half. Big, dark eyes widened and twinkled mischievously.

  Susanna realized that her jaw had dropped. His sense of humor forced her to reevaluate him. He had caught her off-guard, but the moment was gone. Susanna shut her mouth and smiled at him. He was funny, if not a little alarming. Most importantly he was honest, and didn’t exaggerate. She hadn’t expected to hear him have any deep thoughts on the matter, but was pleased to hear his version.

  It was her turn to give over a confused face. It added to his masculine swagger. Royce gave her a wide, patient smile.

  Susanna wanted to deny him. All of her words and informing narratives of what had brought them together got stuck in her throat.

  The truck was pulling up alongside them, and it waited for Royce to climb aboard.

  “I’m going to buy a house in town.” Royce smiled at her mischievously. “Or maybe I’ll buy the house right next door to your house. Then I can date the girl next door. I can’t wait to find out what you do for fun on the prairie.”

  Susanna toughened up. “Good luck. I already bought out all of my neighbors’ houses.”

  She didn’t bother telling him about the one neighbor who had already refused to let her buy up his land and pasture. It had been quite a bother to fence all the property abutting this neighbor. But it had been worth it, and Susanna loved the privacy of it all.

  Royce opened the door to the waiting truck, and something was shoved into his hands.

  He slammed the door shut and looked at Susanna.

  “I will go to the doctor and let you know how I’m doing.” He shoved a box into her hand.

  Susanna looked down at a box with a bow. Inside was a cellular phone, and she looked up at him in question. “I already have one of these.”

  “Of course you do, but this phone has unlimited minutes, and my number is already programmed for you.” Royce stood back, well-pleased.

  Susanna felt like she was a number in a long line of women. Royce looked at her knowingly. It was hard for Susanna to be categorized, and being grateful was a stretch. She raised her eyebrows and thanked him coolly.

  Susanna had a long day ahead, and she was ready to move forward with it. She reached around Royce and opened his car door for him. />
  “Here, let me open this door for you.” She used a sweet voice that covered up any insecurities.

  Susanna stepped back and resisted the urge to bow for him. She wanted to be sarcastic, but something about him forbade any mockery.

  Royce took advantage of the closeness. He took the step toward the door. In a quick and fluid motion, he wrapped his arm around her. Just that one-sided hug completely enveloped her. If he could do that with just half of his body, what could he do with all of it?

  Royce had his hand tightly against her hip, and his arm snaked around her back. He put his head against her temple. He took a very deep breath and let it out slowly. As he exhaled, his body relaxed into hers.

  Susanna was on a roller coaster ride of emotions. She wanted to return his hug, but she wasn’t sure if she wanted to lose herself to him. Falling in love couldn’t be this easy.

  Royce took a small step back. Susanna could see his heart beating furiously in his throat. They both looked at the other expectantly.

  “Huh,” Royce said firmly to himself and nodded his affirmation. “I really do need to go to the doctor. I’ve never felt my heart like this. This might lead to a heart attack.”

  Susanna looked at him sarcastically. “Or maybe a hard attack.”

  The lightness in his eyes fell away, and he looked at her gravely. He put his index finger to his mouth and tapped his upper lip twice.

  “I am going to enjoy you. And I am going to take all the time in the world with you.” Royce smoothly climbed into the cab of the truck.

  “All right. See you later.” She wasn’t sure why she was agreeing and saying goodbye at the same time.

  Susanna waited for him to be comfortably ensconced in the truck. She shut the door very slowly, focusing all of her attention on it, and not on the man who smoldered on the other side of it.

  Chapter 2

  Daze in the Life

  Susanna drove into the sunrise and turned from the highway onto the entrance of a private road. The well-used gravel road interrupted the wide-open countryside. A big sign said Hanson Ranch 1885. They were so sturdily welded across the entrance that they very well could have lasted from the previous five generations, except their fresh shine gave them away. A wealth of signage lined up and down the fence that threatened ‘Private Property,’ ‘Danger,’ and ‘Do Not Enter’ to all who spoke English.

  The sprawling buffalo ranch did much to heighten the natural state of things, and the protected place was in constant flux. Although it was primarily for the bison, a myriad of shrubbery-sized threats coexisted, and were kept in a constant tug of war over what should be kept in, or out, of the harsh land.

  Susanna stepped lithely from her truck. The door was left to swing open. A loud stereo of rock accompanied the hard worker. Worn sheepskin gloves worked the gate until it was eased open. The sound of metal scraped the prairie when the gate swung open.

  Soon, truck and passenger were locked inside the very tall and sturdy electric barrier. Slatted cattle guards stretched across the track, and bumped tires in a slow, drawn out, Midwestern style.

  Susanna had arrived at the actual ranch part of the property. This was where the ranch-hands, horses, trucks, tools, and various machinery were. Susanna liked to come here early in the day, when it was still quiet.

  She walked into the barn and turned on the overhead lights. It was a new building, and it housed more than just horses. She walked past the donkeys and pigs. There were two milking cows waiting for service. The animals Susanna had accrued made the barn look more like a zoo. The upkeep of just the barn had required two new workers, but for Susanna it was well worth it.

  She looked in a few of the feeding troughs and was pleased to find them still full. The hay and corrals were still moderately fresh. She was glad today was a day she could go straight to her horse and go for a ride.

  Her horse whinnied before she even saw him.

  “Hi, Big Chief,” Susanna said, holding out her hand.

  She talked in a soothing voice as she checked on the brown splattered paint horse. She combed his belly and back free of hay or debris before placing the blanket on his back. She saddled up her horse with ease and walked him from the barn. They walked the short distance to the field and opened another gate.

  Susanna put her boot into the stirrup and pulled herself atop the horse. Chief settled into an easy walk across the prairie.

  She loved the feeling of being on horseback. She inhaled deeply and immersed herself in the early morning ride. As far as she was concerned, there was no other place she would rather be. She let her mind wander as she freed herself on the prairie. She kicked her horse into a gallop and left her worries behind.

  The prairie was an illusion of expanse, and landmarks appeared closer than they really were. This was her corner of the world, but it seemed to go on forever.

  Weeds had given over to seed and lit the landscape with copper and gold. Little pockets of green still tentatively enjoyed the extended summer. Scraggly, silver trees gave slight protection to the gullies and muddy stream that offset the road.

  Distant grey hills were a muted end zone to the colorful land. Tall, yellow alfalfa fought with purple and lime weeds for field position. Dark under-dirt formed steps of erosion along edges of low hills. The excessive colors were in controversy over this year’s rain, and the tons of pounding hooves that shaped the land.

  Susanna’s heritage ran deep for an American; the ranch was her great, great, great grandfather’s homestead. The Hanson Ranch had been inherited by her father, but instead of continuing its familial tradition, he had buried himself in everything to do with city life. The ranch, for the most part, had been neglected and referred to as that ‘thorn in their sides’ throughout her childhood and early adult years.

  She had been raised with high expectations. She had achieved her college degree, a healthy salary, and a wonderful husband at a young age. The marriage had been a happy one, and they had waited on little additions and comfortable vacations. In the meantime, they had cushioned their bank account for when the time was right. Unfortunately, their time never came. In less than five years, her husband had died. His death had left an inconsolable wife, all alone, with a comfortable amount of money.

  Susanna wondered what it would be like to have her husband back. She didn’t feel like the same woman, and wondered what he would think of her now. It was a strange thought, to remember back when she was in love, and when life had loved her back in a seemingly easy way. These thoughts were strange, because she didn’t see her husband falling in love with the ranch as she had. She shook her head. It didn’t matter anyway; fate had other plans.

  The Hanson Ranch and Susanna had met on a star-crossed path. Leaving the city for the wide-open spaces was considered a crazy move by her family and friends. Many wagers had been lost on the amount of time she would spend in the wild. When people asked, as they always did, she would tell them she hadn’t even thought about leaving. The prairie was her home.

  Endless work had filled lonely hours and days. Watching the results had addicted her to the hard life. The last few years at the ranch had prompted a growth spurt of staggering proportions. It was now worth millions. Susanna had invested heavily into its continued stability, and with that success, her family had become incessantly interested in the ranch, and its less than modest results.

  She walked a tight line between the needs of her family and the ranch. She knew better than to avoid her family’s phone calls. That would just lead to more interventions and time-consuming conversations. It was a hard life trying to be in tune with nature, animals, and family, all at the same time. Listening to false interest about the ranch was a waste of time, but she was calculating and found ways to minimize words and conversations to still get what she wanted.

  Susanna had many real concerns, and she was approaching one of them now. She slowed her horse to a walk. The bison were spread out before her in a large, lumbering group. It was dusty and crowded as the animals
stomped clumps of dirt into the air.

  Big Chief’s hooves marched through the bison in well-practiced precision. It was another moment of control. Susanna was at her best. She was aware of what it would take to upset the herd of animals and send them into a galloping frenzy. She held the reins of her horse tightly and kept herself focused.

  She walked through a corner of the herd. The grass had been nibbled down to the ground, or else stomped into oblivion.

  The grain-guzzling animals’ needs were confirmed. They were ready to be moved to another field. She mentally tabulated the amount of time it had taken the herd to finish eating off the land. They were right on time, if not a week or two early. The bison would need to be moved to the winter field soon.

  Susanna considered the work involved, and a small smile tugged at her face. It was just one step closer to getting the buffalo to the bank. There were people waiting for her in banks, offices, and stores. It was all part of the yearly cycle she had come to enjoy.

  Dealing with bankers and businessmen was just part of business. The meetings were saved for a have-to-do basis, and since they weren’t done often, it was easier to have high expectations. They received the prompt and sobering attention she gave everything. Her business was done with a flair that was all her own and people always invited back.

  She spent the rest of her time on the ranch. She would do whatever needed to be done to ensure its stability. She never ran out of things to do.

  Susanna’s horse plodded along, and she studied the water line. She was particularly proud of this place. The property had been bought three years ago. The house had been moved, and the barns were destroyed. There were still tracks of a road that ended in the middle of nowhere.

  A private pump had been carefully boarded up. It supplied water to a dug out pond. She had manufactured a valley of water that was perfect for watering herds in the summer. But this was nothing compared to the winter field that had been built up with wind protectors and heated water troughs. They had been made to withstand high winds that came up off the prairie, and protect the animals just in case.