Claiming the Rancher's Heart (16 page)

“It’s been a whole year since I moved back from Denver.” What a wondrous day that had been, sunny and warm, but with a hint of fall in the air. When Josh had pulled into the lane leading to his house, she’d felt like a lost lamb who’d finally found her way home. “It’s gone so fast.”

“What do they say?” Josh grinned and shot her a wink. “Time flies when you’re having fun?”

Stacie chuckled. It had been a fabulous, fun-filled twelve months. She and Josh had married less than a month after she returned in a simple but elegant ceremony in Anna’s backyard. The quick wedding had given the town folk lots to talk about—and Lauren’s research project a boost she hadn’t anticipated.

Soon after, Stacie had become an entrepreneur like the rest of her family. She’d used the money she’d won in the contest as a down payment on the Coffee Pot, making her father and brother Paul proud.

Merna moved to California to be with her daughter. Shirley agreed to stay on and manage the café, giving Stacie time to bake and plan menus. Giving her time on the ranch with Josh. Giving them time to make the baby they both wanted.

Stacie’s hand stole to her belly, which wouldn’t be flat much longer. Tonight, before they met Josh’s parents for dinner, she planned to tell him the good news.

“We like the new sign,” Pastor Barbee commented as he and his wife strolled past the café, headed in the opposite direction. “Very eye-catching.”

Stacie smiled at the couple. She’d worried how the community would react to changing the café’s name to Bliss. So far she’d heard only positive comments.

Josh gave Stacie’s hand a squeeze, his gaze focused on the sign he’d put up himself yesterday. “You’ve finally found your bliss.”

Stacie let her gaze linger on the man who’d brought such joy to her life. Familiar, known, increasingly beloved, this cowboy was everything she’d ever wanted and more. Her heart overflowed with happiness and she leaned her head against his arm. “Yes, indeed. I’ve definitely found my bliss.”

CLAIMING THE RANCHER’S HEART

Copyright © 2009 by Cynthia Rutledge

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