one.
She nodded. The need to see where he lived, where he slept, propelled her from the truck. Thick logs made a three-story home with large wraparound porch and deep green door. A massive three-car garage sat apart from the house to the right.
“That’s a big house, ,” she murmured.
“It was my family’s. Mom moved to Tom’s when they married. I bought out my siblings when I married Emily.”
“Where do your siblings live?” Sophie climbed the burnished oak steps.
“Colton plans to build a house over behind the east ridge with a great view of the lake, and Quinn already built his over on the south side next to the river. It’s closer to town so he can get there in a hurry if they need the sheriff. Dawn still lives at home and hopefully will until she’s forty.” He opened the heavy door and gestured her inside. “We own the ranch equally, so whoever’s working it takes a salary, and then we split the profits or losses.”
“Wow. That’s great that you guys split it so fairly.” Renewed longing for a family washed through her.
“How else would we have done it?” he asked.
Sophie turned and gasped at the amazing view. While Loni’s house overlooked the valley and Mineral Lake on the north side, Jake’s home overlooked it from the south side. The mountains extended well into Canada in the distance.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed. “I’d love to paint it.”
“You should.” Jake closed the door behind them. “I’ve seen your work. You should paint all the time.”
There he went again, making her feel strong and talented. A girl could get used to such security.
She smiled at the comfortable room laid out similarly to Loni’s. Big stone fireplaces must be required during the cold Montana winters. Thick green couches, Western oils, and floor-to-ceiling windows made the house a home. She followed Jake into a pale yellow and tan kitchen and out a slider onto a huge cherry-wood deck. The glass table was set for two with the candles flickering in the twilight hour; the smell of barbecued steaks filled the air.
“Sit.” Jake pulled a chair out for her, and she sat, her gaze still on the amazing view. The lake and mountains looked too still to be real. Too beautiful with the vibrant pink and orange sunset to exist naturally.
Jake brought side dishes out from the kitchen then flipped open the barbeque lid and speared a steak for her plate. He filled his own and took a seat across from her, pouring the wine.
“This looks great, Jake.”
“So do you.” His gaze roamed her face over his wineglass. Heat and interest combined into an irresistible invitation in his fathomless eyes.
Desire skipped past humming to raging within her in no time. How did he do that?
They ate in silence, comfortable in the warm night. The food was delicious.
“Are you ready for the hearing Monday night?” Jake refilled their wineglasses.
“I think so. My part is just describing the golf course and maybe the clubhouse.” She took a sip of the red wine. “Are you going to be there?”
“Yes.”
Her hand stilled. “Opposing me?”
“No. Opposing the location of the Charleton Group’s development.”
“That’s me.” She set down her wineglass.
“No, it isn’t. I want to make you happy, Sophie. But a golf course does not belong so close to Mineral Lake.”
Her heart hitched. “I don’t like being on opposing sides from you.”
Jake grinned. “Worked for Hepburn and Tracy.”
She reclaimed her wineglass. The thought of sparring with him thrummed awareness through her veins. “Where’s Leila?”
He leaned back in his chair. “Girls’ night at Mom’s.” He continued at her inquisitive look. “Don’t ask me. Mom, Leila, and Dawn all paint nails, do hair, eat popcorn, and who knows what else. Girl stuff.”
“Sounds like fun.” Wistfulness filled her tone, unbidden.
“I’m sure you could join them sometime. Though if you talk about boys, I’d trick a rundown from my daughter.
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