“Will do.” Ellie studied the site design. It was good, but it needed to be more engaging and user-friendly. She could refer a good friend to do the website aspect while Ellie took on the ranch’s social media presence.
The wheels in her head turned faster as ideas came one after another. She opened her leather binder and jotted down notes on a yellow, legal-sized pad. When she needed to record the stream of ideas flooding through her mind, she preferred to write them down by hand. When she entered them into a document later, more ideas would germinate.
What she needed was a tour of the property. When Maddee returned, Ellie planned to ask her more about the ranch, what they did, and what they had to offer their clients.
* * *
Piper and Penny took off for the barn while Tucker knocked the dirt off his boots on the mat at the back door before he entered his kitchen. Where was Maddee, and whose car was in the driveway?
As he made his way through the kitchen, he took his western hat off long enough to rake his fingers through his hair, then tugged it down again. He reached his study and came to a hard stop in the doorway.
A woman sat at his computer, staring at the screen. Not just any woman, but Ellie, the gorgeous blonde he’d met at the Renaissance fair a week and a half ago. How did this beautiful vision come to be sitting in his chair?
Tucker hitched his shoulder against the doorframe and folded his arms across his chest as he watched her move the mouse and squint at the screen. He looked forward to seeing her sea-blue eyes when she caught him staring at her.
He’d enjoyed her company at the Renaissance fair and had hoped she’d call or at least send him a text message, but he’d never heard from her. She might have been too busy, or maybe she hadn’t enjoyed their time together as much as he had.
Why was she here and behind his desk? Not that he was complaining.
Ellie frowned at the screen and tapped a pen on the yellow pad on the desk, which held nearly a page full of notes. She eased back in the chair, still tapping the pen.
God, she took his breath away.
“Fancy meeting you here,” he drawled.
Ellie startled, then looked up and met his gaze. She seemed to catch her breath as her lips parted and her cheeks reddened.
She smiled as she composed herself. “Well, if it isn’t my knight in shining Wranglers.”
The corner of his mouth quirked. “At your service, ma’am.”
“Don’t ma’am me.” She pushed the chair back and stood. “I’m not old enough to be a ma’am.”
He couldn’t help but feel amused around Ellie. Something about her made him want to smile. “I stand corrected.”
Ellie moved around the desk, wearing snug jeans, a purple blouse, and well-worn cowboy boots.
When she reached him, she tipped her head back and met his gaze. He could drown in those sea-blue eyes. She didn’t seem displeased to see him. He was more than glad she was here.
He wanted to stroke her hair so badly he ached with it. “You decided to drop by instead of call?”
She smiled, and he nearly took her into his arms. “I’m sorry. I lost your number somewhere between leaving you and my parents’ place. I did plan to call.”
Tucker wished he could sweep her into his arms like he had on that stage. “Not that I mind, but how did you find me?”
“I found Ellie, and you’re hiring her.” Maddee stood at his elbow, a brow raised. “You two know each other?”
“We met at the Renaissance fair.” Tucker looked from his sister back to Ellie. “The way I remember it, we had a pretty good time.”
“You remember correctly.” Ellie flashed a grin. “Is this your horse ranch?”
“Yep.” Tucker gave a slow nod.
Maddee eased between them and plopped into the remaining chair. “Don’t mind me. I’m enjoying the show.”
“Sorry, Maddee.” Ellie laughed. “We’re just surprised to see each other.”
“I gathered.” Maddee smirked. “What did you think when you checked out the website?”
