Read Online Learning To Love (Contemporary Cowboy Romance) (Carson Hill Ranch series:Book 1) by Amelia Rose - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Amelia Rose
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emailing Casey. Or at least I thought it was Casey, but I have a really good idea that it was you on the other end of the computer,” Miranda said, narrowing her eyes slightly at the older man.
“I plead the fifth,” he said simply, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back in his chair.
“I see. Well, there you have it.”
“No, that only explains how you came to be on the dating site in the first place. Whatever made you decide to pack up and leave New Jersey?”
“Have you ever been to New Jersey? If you had, you wouldn’t have to ask!” she answered teasingly. “But seriously, I was in a dead-end job, keeping the books for a small company, I had a sister to take care of, a boyfriend to get rid of, and an apartment that is literally smaller than this office. I hadn’t done so well for myself up to that point, so I thought, ‘Why not? I should go meet this guy and see where it takes me because it can’t take me anywhere worse than I’ve already been.’”
“There is a business matter to discuss,” Bernard continued, his voice growing serious. “I have arranged for a parcel of land that neighbors Carson Hill Ranch to be put in your name as part of our arrangement. This piece is small, only a couple hundred acres or so, but it would be yours outright, regardless of your marital status. Your husband cannot sell it or develop it, not without your permission. If you decide not to go through with the wedding, I would sell it off. But if you do get married, it is your property, regardless of what the future holds.”
Miranda sat up straighter, watching the man carefully. How was this possible? She’d practically been chased from Newark by her circumstances and now, this man was going to make her a property owner? She used to struggle to pay the rent on a one-bedroom fifth floor walk-up, how was it that she would own a small ranch?
“As for your duties here, of course, there will be some assisting within the house, probably with meal times and especially with holiday events. My wife used to make the biggest fuss at the holidays, and we really haven’t celebrated all that much in the past few years. And then, I have two young sons who could use a firm tutor, and all of us could use a woman’s touch around here when it comes to our manners. Someone to see to it that we actually follow through with Bible study and prayer times would be helpful, too, if you’re religious at all. It used to be really important to my wife.” Bernard moved some papers around on his desk as Miranda sat numbly listening to the list of her duties. It was a far cry from helping a homesteader pull a plow, that was for sure, but it was also no worse than filing papers from nine-to-five as a creepy boss tried to look down her blouse.
When she was dismissed, Miranda felt hopeful for the first time since climbing on that bus. This might actually work after all, especially with the very generous gift of her very own land. She felt lighter than she had in days.
So why did Casey Carson have to go and ruin that feeling, just by walking in the door?
CHAPTER TEN
Casey stopped short when he saw Miranda standing at the bottom of the staircase, one delicate hand on the gleaming wooden handrail. Why in the hell did Dad have to go and bring her here? he thought sourly. This ranch is no place for a lady, especially not one dressed like that. She’ll ruin her clothes just by walking through a doorway, let alone stepping foot out on the farm. He nodded curtly and kept walking, a small part of his mind aware that she was watching him go.
There was no point in making nice with her, especially when Casey had every intention of putting
“I plead the fifth,” he said simply, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back in his chair.
“I see. Well, there you have it.”
“No, that only explains how you came to be on the dating site in the first place. Whatever made you decide to pack up and leave New Jersey?”
“Have you ever been to New Jersey? If you had, you wouldn’t have to ask!” she answered teasingly. “But seriously, I was in a dead-end job, keeping the books for a small company, I had a sister to take care of, a boyfriend to get rid of, and an apartment that is literally smaller than this office. I hadn’t done so well for myself up to that point, so I thought, ‘Why not? I should go meet this guy and see where it takes me because it can’t take me anywhere worse than I’ve already been.’”
“There is a business matter to discuss,” Bernard continued, his voice growing serious. “I have arranged for a parcel of land that neighbors Carson Hill Ranch to be put in your name as part of our arrangement. This piece is small, only a couple hundred acres or so, but it would be yours outright, regardless of your marital status. Your husband cannot sell it or develop it, not without your permission. If you decide not to go through with the wedding, I would sell it off. But if you do get married, it is your property, regardless of what the future holds.”
Miranda sat up straighter, watching the man carefully. How was this possible? She’d practically been chased from Newark by her circumstances and now, this man was going to make her a property owner? She used to struggle to pay the rent on a one-bedroom fifth floor walk-up, how was it that she would own a small ranch?
“As for your duties here, of course, there will be some assisting within the house, probably with meal times and especially with holiday events. My wife used to make the biggest fuss at the holidays, and we really haven’t celebrated all that much in the past few years. And then, I have two young sons who could use a firm tutor, and all of us could use a woman’s touch around here when it comes to our manners. Someone to see to it that we actually follow through with Bible study and prayer times would be helpful, too, if you’re religious at all. It used to be really important to my wife.” Bernard moved some papers around on his desk as Miranda sat numbly listening to the list of her duties. It was a far cry from helping a homesteader pull a plow, that was for sure, but it was also no worse than filing papers from nine-to-five as a creepy boss tried to look down her blouse.
When she was dismissed, Miranda felt hopeful for the first time since climbing on that bus. This might actually work after all, especially with the very generous gift of her very own land. She felt lighter than she had in days.
So why did Casey Carson have to go and ruin that feeling, just by walking in the door?
CHAPTER TEN
Casey stopped short when he saw Miranda standing at the bottom of the staircase, one delicate hand on the gleaming wooden handrail. Why in the hell did Dad have to go and bring her here? he thought sourly. This ranch is no place for a lady, especially not one dressed like that. She’ll ruin her clothes just by walking through a doorway, let alone stepping foot out on the farm. He nodded curtly and kept walking, a small part of his mind aware that she was watching him go.
There was no point in making nice with her, especially when Casey had every intention of putting
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