I stood in my room, feeling more confused than I could remember feeling in a long time. Why did I care what I wore? When had I ever given a shit about my clothes? But I knew why I was staring in my closet. I was going to show Claire around the ranch today. Nash thought it would help with the article. I wasn’t thinking about publicity. I was still thinking about last night. And this morning.

It felt like a date. A date after something more incredible than I could put into words.

I finally pulled out a simple plaid button-up shirt and a pair of jeans.

Everything was turned around and upside down.

I walked through the kitchen. Whatever Rosa was cooking smelled delicious and made my stomach growl right on the spot. No one could turn down Rosa’s cooking.

“Good morning, Rosa,” I called, creeping up behind her.

She glanced over her shoulder and smiled.

“Good morning to you too.” She laughed.

“What?”

“I can’t remember you looking so happy. What’s gotten into you?”

I plucked a grape from the bowl on the counter and dropped it in my mouth.

“Me?”

She laughed.

“You can keep your secrets. I’m not going to get in your business.”

I chuckled. I wasn’t about to tell her what was responsible for my good mood.

Rosa had been friends with my mom for years. After Mom died, she had been like a surrogate mother. While I’d had the weight of the ranch on my shoulders, Rosa had helped out as much as she could.

I don’t know how she did it. She was always making sure that Nash and I still had a place that felt like home. Giving her the position of head chef for the ranch was a natural fit when we opened it up for tourists.

I kissed Rosa on the cheek and she laughed, her kind brown eyes wrinkling in the corners. Turning away from the pot on the stove she’d been stirring, she glanced up and raised her eyebrows.

“You smell good. And you’re smooth shaven. Something going on that I don’t know about?”

“I thought you weren’t going to pry,” I reminded her.

“Well, I can at least ask, can’t I?”

I shrugged my shoulders, suddenly feeling like a small child under scrutiny. “I’ve got a tour today.”

“You give a tour? Now that’s a change.”

“It’s actually a writer from a travel magazine.”

Rosa placed a cover over the pot. She narrowed her eyes. “A travel magazine writer?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Nash didn’t say anything about her until the last minute. Which means until after she had already arrived and had a mix-up with the room she was staying in.”

“Ahh well—you know Nash. He means well. His brain just has a habit of moving quicker than his mouth.”

“Only when it comes to keeping me in the know.”

“So tell me more about this writer,” Rosa said, changing the subject. “Is she doing all right now? Was her room situation worked out?”

I nodded and scratched the back of my head. “Yeah, it was worked out. She seems fine now.”

Rosa stared for a moment, and I could see the all-too-knowing gleam in her eyes. She may not have been my biological mother, but she certainly had the sixth-sense of a mother when it came to me and what I was thinking or feeling at any given moment.

“Caleb,” she said, moving around the kitchen so that she could see my face again. When I caught her gaze, there was no mistaking that smile.

“It’s just business, that’s all,” I answered. “Nash has a point. A good review from her magazine would be good for the ranch.”

“And a nice girl would be good for you,” Rosa said. “You’ve dedicated your life to this ranch, Caleb. But you’re still a young man. Don’t let life slip by without experiencing the happiness you deserve.”

“Come on, Rosa. I literally just met this girl yesterday. I don’t know anything about her. And from what little I do know—she isn’t interested in ranch life. She’s a city girl, and you know how city girls are …” My voice trailed off, already regretting the comment.

I didn’t want to talk about Claire. I didn’t want to analyze anything. I just wanted to spend the day showing her around and having fun. Wasn’t that enough?

Rosa sighed. “A woman would be good for you.”

“That’s not in the cards right now. I have the ranch to worry about.”

“Uh huh,” Rosa said, returning to the stove and chuckling to herself. “You’re always going to have the ranch to worry about. Just don’t forget to take care of your heart.”

Heart? She was jumping way ahead.

I grabbed my hat and walked out the door to meet Claire.