Free A Second Chance at Crimson Ranch by Michelle Major Page A

Olivia didn’t explain her comment. If he was mad at her, so be it. She could deal with that if it helped her keep a safe distance between them. Because she was afraid she might do something really stupid and fall for Logan Travers if she let herself get too close.
    â€œI should go. Millie will be wondering what happened.”
    He nodded. “I’m meeting with the electrician tomorrow to talk about rewiring a few areas based on the revised plan. Do you want to be there?”
    â€œI trust you,” she said, taking a step toward the door.
    â€œYou should have learned tonight that’s not a good idea.”
    â€œI trust you, Logan,” she repeated. “It’s me I’m worried about.”
    Before he could respond, she hurried out the door.
    * * *
    The next afternoon Olivia cleaned up the painting supplies from the art class she’d just taught at Meadowbrook, the local retirement community. For the past six months, she’d had about fifteen regular students and loved her weekly visits and the chance to share her love of painting with such an enthusiastic group.
    She’d just cleaned off the last of the brushes when she heard a knock at the open door.
    Natalie Holt stepped into the room, her gaze taking in the canvases drying on easels around the room. “What are you working on this month?” she asked, her brows furrowing as she studied several of the paintings.
    â€œLight and shadow in nature,” Olivia answered. She picked a new theme for each month.
    â€œWhy is it that everything Mr. Crantaw paints ends up looking like a woman’s hoo-ha?”
    Olivia smiled at her friend’s observation. “He’s got a one-track mind, as I’m sure you know.”
    Natalie returned her grin. “Are he and Mrs. Miller still on the outs?”
    â€œHe was working hard to make her jealous by complimenting Molly Jenner’s artistic talent,” Olivia said with a nod.
    â€œWiley old coot,” Natalie muttered but laughed.
    Natalie was everyone’s favorite nurse at Meadowbrook. She was dedicated and caring but could handle even the grumpiest of old men with good humor. She’d been the one to encourage Olivia to start teaching at the retirement home after they’d been introduced by their mutual friend Sara.
    Now all three women were good friends, and Olivia was grateful for the women who’d helped pull her out of the depression that had engulfed her after Craig left town.
    Natalie pulled a granola bar out of her pocket and sat on the edge of the table. She often spent her lunch hour with Olivia on the days Olivia taught painting.
    â€œHow’s it going with renovations? Has Logan started on the building?”
    The brushes Olivia had been putting away clattered to the linoleum floor. “Fine. Great. He had some new ideas for the plans, and I’ve got funding sources lined up so...” She knelt to pick up the brushes.
    â€œSo what’s the real story?”
    Olivia glanced up to see Natalie watching her. A knowing smile played on her lips.
    Olivia felt her face grow hot and she concentrated on grabbing the last brush, turning back to the utility sink without looking at Natalie.
    â€œHe’s damn handsome,” Natalie offered helpfully. “And single.”
    â€œAnd six years younger than me,” Olivia countered. “Do I look like a cougar to you?”
    Natalie laughed. “You’re not old enough to be a cougar. A lynx maybe, but not a cougar.”
    â€œThis isn’t funny.” Olivia whirled around. “He’s out of my league and you know it. What would people say around town? Olivia Wilder can’t even keep her husband interested, what makes her think she could satisfy a young hottie like Logan Travers? I’d be even more of a laughingstock than I already am.”
    Natalie popped off the table, her expression thoughtful. “I was sort of joking. Not that I think you couldn’t