Again Hank lifted a palm. “That was a long time ago.” He had spent ten long years, working to counter the loss. “I’m over it,” he stated flatly.

“Glad to hear it.” Kurt slapped him on the shoulder. “So maybe you’ll start dating again.”

The thought of opening his heart to the possibility of pain like that had him clenching his jaw. “I’ve dated.”

His cousin lifted a skeptical brow.

I just haven’t found a woman who could take Joanne’s place. Hank cleared his throat and focused on the situation at hand. “Right now I have to figure out how to hang on to this ranch before Ally Garrett sells it out from under me.”

Kurt blinked in amazement. “She’s really going to let the Mesquite Ridge go, given how her folks felt about the ranch?”

Hank shook his head in silent censure. “The sooner, the better, in her view.” As they headed back to Kurt’s truck, Hank told him about the interest thus far from Corporate Farms and the local realty.

“Better get your bid in soon, then,” Kurt advised.

He nodded, accepting the advice. If only it was that simple.

His cousin headed for the driver’s seat. “Meantime, I suggest you read through the handouts in the folder I brought you. You and Ally are going to want to be prepared when Duchess tells you it’s time…”

THE RAIN WAS STILL FALLING when Ally drove up to the ranch house early that evening. Telling herself she was relieved to see that Hank’s pickup was no longer parked next to the barn, she grabbed her briefcase full of information from the Realtor, her handbag and two small bags of groceries. Lamenting her lack of an umbrella, she headed swiftly for the back door.

The mudroom was as dark and gloomy as the rest of the house as Ally made her way inside. She promptly tripped over something warm and solid, and what felt like a pile of blankets.

A high-pitched yelp matched her own.