Free When Dreams Collide by Brenda Sinclair

that dream, I had to succeed. Failure wasn’t an option.” Dusty met Susan’s eyes. His life had taken a positive turn since he’d decided to pursue his dream. But after meeting Susan, he was torn between the strong attraction he felt for her, and the realization she’d make a terrible rancher’s wife. Fate wasn’t doing a particularly wonderful job at placing a potential spouse in his path. Perhaps having good fortune shine on him in the form of financial advantage had used up his entire ration. Now, he couldn’t expect the perfect woman for him to fall at his feet, as well.
    Susan smiled. “I think I’d be terribly jealous of you, if I didn’t have a few dreams of my own.”
    “What are your dreams, Susan?” blurted Dusty, before he could stop himself. He grimaced. “I’m sorry. That question just popped out. Maybe they’re none of my business.”
    “You’re probably thinking she dreams of a happy marriage and a couple of kids and a nice home, maybe even a dog. And you’d be right.” Susan laughed and then leaned back in the comfy leather seat. “Actually, I’m working on my dream every day that I step into my office. I intend to be named a member of the Board of Directors for the Ellis Bank one day. I imagine that day is a long way off, but it’s my ultimate goal. And like you said, failure is not an option.”
    “From everything people have told me about you—your reputation and work ethic—you will attain your goal someday.” Dusty returned his eyes to the road. “And some lucky guy will pull you off the marriage market and give you that home and family, too.”
    “You believe a woman can have it all? Career, marriage and family?”
    “I suppose if that’s what she wants, and her husband is okay with it. Personally, I would prefer a wife who loves horses as much as I do. A woman interested in raising a family but also works on the ranch with me every day and shares my bed every night.”
    “That doesn’t sound at all like me—a woman who loves the city and loves her career.” Susan sighed.
    The sun beat in through the windows, and Dusty turned up the air-conditioning.
    Susan grabbed a plush blanket off the back seat and curled up under it with her head resting in the little curved airplane pillow she also carried back there. “That’s better. People always crank up the AC while I shiver. But leave it on. I’m fine.”
    “It’s fortunate we took your car. The only things I carry in my truck are booster cables and a spare tire.”
    “Will you want me to take a turn driving? If I’m not driving, I’ll probably nod off.”
    “No, I’ll drive,” he replied. No woman was driving him anywhere. Well, technically, that wasn’t correct—she was driving him crazy. Her white denim jeans clung in all the right places, and the rose and white plaid cotton shirt with the top three buttons open revealed a silky white camisole underneath.
    Susan kicked off her well-worn pink cowboy boots, and he’d caught a glimpse of the cutest striped toe socks before she tucked her feet under the blanket with the rest of her. It didn’t matter if he saw her in a bridesmaid’s dress up around her waist, a business pantsuit at the bank, or a pair of jeans and a plaid shirt, his body reacted instantly.
    A few minutes later, Dusty glanced over at the beautiful woman already asleep in the passenger seat, and his heart melted. She looked absolutely adorable, snoozing so contentedly like she hadn’t a care in the world. He’d considered pursuing a relationship with Susan, but after hearing her corporate dream, he realized it would never work out between them. They lived and worked in two totally different worlds. While exchanging their personal stories and life goals, he realized that if they attempted a relationship their individual dreams would collide like a couple of fighter jets and then crash and burn around them.
    Dusty shifted in his seat. Hopefully, she wouldn’t wake up for awhile, giving him time