The Rancher's Second Chance by Victoria James Page A

injured animal howling,” Gage said over his shoulder.
    “It’s Cole, he’s laughing,” Melanie said.
    He ignored them. “Mel, I’m on to you,” he whispered in her ear. He felt the faint shiver that ran through her, and he shared it, surprised by the impact of just being close to her had on him. “You’re hiding things from me.”
    She took a sip of her coffee and then looked over at him. “I’m not hiding. We just never talked about it. But there’s no point. I mean, how often will we see each other once Cori’s wedding is over anyway? A few times a year?”
    He didn’t like the sound of that at all. “It doesn’t have to be that way.”
    There was definitely something going on with her. Melanie had skeletons, and he wanted to know what or who had done that to her, but he didn’t have any business asking or knowing. Because he was in no position to help her, and he certainly couldn’t ask her about it if he had no intention of being her friend. Or maybe that’s what they could be. Friends.
    But no, because friends didn’t want to kiss each other. Friends didn’t check out each other’s cleavage or legs. Friends didn’t spend the entire night remembering what the other friend looked like in lingerie. Hell, no. And well, the other? No, he couldn’t go to bed with her. She was Cori’s friend. She was complicated. She was a woman that came with strings, which would demand more from him than he was ever prepared to give. He’d given his heart once. He’d been broken once. He couldn’t open himself up again. He wouldn’t come out alive.
    “Really? So what are you suggesting then?”
    He stared at her, not knowing how to answer. He didn’t know. He did know that he wanted more. More Melanie. But he didn’t know what that meant, where they could go…
    “There’s the house in the distance,” Gage yelled out.
    Cole swallowed a curse. “We don’t need a damn tour guide. Be quiet.”
    “Hey, if it weren’t for me, you two would still be holed up in that shack.”
    Cole didn’t answer him.
    “Oh, never mind,” Gage said a moment later.
    Cole turned to Melanie who was holding her phone in the air, completely ignoring them. “Do you think there’s cell phone reception yet? I should really check messages.”
    He snatched the phone from her hand and she frowned at him. “We’re not finished with our conversation. I don’t want to wait until next weekend to see you.”
    “Oh well, actually, I’m probably going to have to drop by midweek. The company that’s installing the lights on the trees outside will be coming on Tuesday, so I’d like to come by and make sure they do a good job.”
    “Melanie, you’re not going back tonight. The roads are closed. Besides, I’m sure Mrs. H has dinner waiting for us.”
    She sank back into the seat, the shadows hiding what he assumed was a disgruntled expression. “Let’s just pretend none of this ever happened. There would be no point in either of us pursuing this.”
    He frowned and took a sip of the hot chocolate. Then he scowled. The hot chocolate was spiked.
    When Gage pulled up in front of the house, the front door swung open and Mrs. Harris was frantically waving at them. “Oh, my dears, you’re back home nice and safe!”
    Melanie stood and then wobbled. He grabbed her forearm until she steadied. “Wow, I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” she said. He had an idea.
    “Take it easy; I’ll help you down. Try not to put any pressure on that ankle.” He stepped out of the sleigh, his boots sinking into the deep snow, and then lifted Melanie out.
    “You’re welcome!” Gage yelled at their backs as they climbed the stairs. “Don’t worry about me or the horses. I’ll just go back to my place tonight.”
    “Thanks, Gage,” Melanie called out over her shoulder, the movement almost toppling her over again. “I think I had too much whiskey,” she whispered as she leaned into him.
    “Come inside,” Mrs. Harris squealed, enveloping