Read Online Ever After at Sweetheart Ranch by Emma Cane - Free Book Online

tray. “Hey, Lynds, brought you something. I thought you looked tired, so here’s a pick-­me-­up.”
    She gasped at the perfectly displayed plate. “Ooh, the beer-­braised bunny nachos? Love those. Thanks, Tony.” She took the plate, along with the beer he’d also brought. Her third—­but who was counting?
    â€œBunny,” Jessica said with a shudder, then gave Lyndsay a meaningful gaze of encouragement. “See you guys later.”
    After a brief wave, Lyndsay focused on her treat.
    Kate sighed. “She’s eaten like this her whole life and never gains an ounce. Never.” She shook her head. “Makes me ill.”
    When Tony rolled his eyes and walked away, Kate stole a nacho, then followed him into his office, leaving Lyndsay alone with her nachos—­and Will. She’d decided to ask him out but hadn’t given any thought as to when or how. But right here, where her brother could overhear? No.
    â€œSo is Tony right about you being tired?” Will asked, stealing his own nacho.
    Lyndsay pushed the plate into the center of the table. “It’s Friday, and I’ve had a crappy day at school—­heck, a crappy week.”
    â€œI don’t remember the last time you had something good to say about teaching.”
    So he’d been paying attention. She chewed and swallowed a sinful nacho. “I used to love it with all my heart. The kids made it special from the beginning, and that hasn’t changed. I love watching the light of discovery in their eyes, or seeing their growing pride in their accomplishments. But other things about the profession have changed. Maybe it’s all the testing, leaving no time for us to be creative. Maybe it’s the brand-­new way we have to learn to teach. Plus, it’s the end of the year, and the kids are restless, knowing how much is at stake with these tests—­I don’t know. Sorry for going on and on. We all have our bad days.”
    â€œNot me. I’m lucky—­I love my job.”
    â€œYou are lucky. And it’s a hard one, too. Do you still love your job when you can’t find a cow in a blizzard?”
    His white teeth gleamed as those hazel eyes focused just on her. “I’m not saying there isn’t the occasional bad day. Like when we lose a calf before it even has a chance at life—­that’s terrible.”
    She nodded solemnly.
    â€œI’m not saying my work has life-­and-­death consequences compared to yours,” he added.
    As if he didn’t want to hurt her feelings. She was touched, and it made her feel mellow and happy as she ate another nacho. Maybe this should be her last beer . . .
    â€œI know what you meant,” she said softly. “Both of our jobs matter. You feed ­people. I teach them. It’s just a shame that lately I can’t take the same kind of joy in it that I used to.” She scooped another nacho off the plate and enjoyed that, at least. “You know, I like something else about your job. I like the family aspect of it. You Sweets and Thalbergs—­you share a bond with your families that many ­people envy.”
    â€œOh, come on, I see how you are with Tony and your dad—­it’s no different.”
    â€œSure it is. I don’t have any grandparents left. You have your grandma Sweet.”
    â€œI do. And I’ll admit she’s one of a kind.” He leaned closer. “She shared some secrets with our family the other day—­want to hear?”
    â€œFamily secrets?”
    â€œNo. And she didn’t say it in private. There were even people not related to us there. I say it’s fair game.”
    Lyndsay folded her arms on the table and propped her chin in her hand. “Then go ahead.”
    Will smiled in a way that made her insides do a little dance. He was obviously still amused by the Captain Kirk discussion. Imagine how he’d