Free The Rancher's Family Wish by Lois Richer Page B

never remember what spices she listed. He was too busy enjoying her pretty face. Finally aware that she was watching him with a frown, he savored his pizza and the salad she’d made to go with it.
    “I never thought of putting oranges or almonds in a salad but it’s delicious,” he said. “You have an amazing gift with food, Sophie Armstrong.”
    “I don’t think it’s a gift,” she demurred, cheeks hot pink. “I just know how to cook.”
    “That’s a gift. A great one.” He leaned back in his chair, replete for now. “If you hadn’t already done it, I would have suggested you choose cooking as a vocation. Your return rate for customer satisfaction must be amazing.”
    “I could take on more jobs if I had more time, more equipment and a bigger kitchen,” she admitted. She glanced at her children. “Maybe someday I will.” When she couldn’t coax anyone to eat the last three slices, she lifted the pan off the table. “Ready for dessert?”
    “What is it?” Davy asked as Tanner’s stomach groaned.
    “Banana splits.” She set round dishes in front of each of them—not a traditional split but better, much better, Tanner decided as he sampled his portion.
    “This is good, Mama.” Beth’s cheeks were smeared with chocolate sauce but her face glowed with happiness.
    “It certainly is, Beth.” Tanner frowned. “But you hardly have any, Sophie. Here, take some of mine.” He was about to scoop some into her dish when she blocked him.
    “This is plenty, thank you.” She flushed. “Chocolate heads directly for my hips.”
    “Does it do that to mine?” Beth twisted to get a better look at her backside.
    “Not yet,” Sophie assured her, eyes dancing.
    Tanner thought her laughter filling the kitchen was the loveliest sound he’d ever heard.
    The children finished their dessert, then cleared the table while Sophie made a pot of her delicious coffee.
    “I wish I knew how to make this,” he said after swallowing his third cup. “There has to be some secret you’re not telling me about because the stuff I made this morning, according to your directions, didn’t bear the slightest resemblance to this.”
    “I don’t know what to tell you.” She studied him for a moment. Tanner felt as if a current ran between them. It gave him an odd feeling, one he’d never had before. He was relieved when she jumped up to wash the dishes. He helped with cleanup, startled by the electricity that sparked when their gazes met or their hands touched. Those sparks were enjoyable.
    “Aren’t you ever going to be finished?” Davy asked plaintively. “When I do them—”
    “Don’t go there, son,” Tanner warned him with a wink.
    “No, because next time it’s your turn, Davy.” Sophie laughed at his glower. “We’re finished.” She rinsed out her dishcloth and hung it on the sink, took the last dish from Tanner and set it in the cupboard. “Let the games begin.”
    Tanner had never played many board games so he lost most of the time, even though Beth tried to help him. Midway through Sophie made popcorn and cocoa and Tanner crunched on the warm buttery corn in between answering questions about the ranch. When he lost all his play money he knew it was time to go.
    “I don’t know how you won,” he said to Beth, chucking her cheek with one finger.
    “She always wins,” Davy complained.
    “It’s because Beth is patient. You are too much like me. We want what we want now. Our way.” Sophie’s rueful words were accompanied by a wry grimace. “Bethy makes the best of what comes.”
    “I’ll share my money with you, Mr. Cowboy.” The little girl shoved a pile of paper money toward him. Tanner’s heart melted.
    “That’s very kind of you, Beth. You keep it safe for us, okay? It’s time for me to go home.” He rose, hating to leave this family for the loneliness of the ranch house. His gaze rested on Sophie. “Thank you for a wonderful dinner, a delicious dessert and a fun time. I enjoyed myself