Read Online Rescued by the Ranger by Dixie Lee Brown - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Dixie Lee Brown
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was relieved to tend to the gravy without any further questions.
A few minutes later, she and Dory carried the food dishes into the dining room table as Peg, Jonathan, and the guests started filing in. Dory went back to the kitchen, while Rachel turned toward her seat.
Peg sat at the head of the table with the Taylors, a couple from Colorado, on her left, but Jonathan sat on her right . . . where Rachel’s place card should have been. A quick glance revealed the worst-case scenario. Her name was on the placard next to Jonathan . . . and Garrett was already seated on her right. Dory . Oh, how her friend was going to pay for this.
As she circled the table to take her place, she caught a smug grin from Jonathan, which shot him to the top of her most likely culprits list. She should have known he wouldn’t want to make small talk with Garrett any more than she did. Still, it was unforgiveable, and she narrowed her eyes, hoping he’d understand that she would get even.
Just as she reached her seat, Garrett jumped up, pulled her chair out, and smiled as he waited for her to sit. She slid onto the seat and allowed him to push her in while her stomach did a little flip-flop, which she assured herself was only hunger.
Mr. Taylor, Alan, paused in the conversation he’d been having with Peg to watch curiously as Garrett seated her. Realizing that everyone had now fallen silent, Rachel felt the smoldering heat of embarrassment. If only a hole would open in the floor, she would gladly disappear through it. Alan exchanged a glance with his wife, then studied Rachel for a moment before he grinned.
“You’re making the rest of us look bad, son.” A good ten years Garrett’s senior and considerably smaller in stature, Alan’s low, raspy voice vibrated with humor as he extended his hand toward Garrett. “Alan Taylor, and this is my wife, Linda.”
Garrett shook hands and introduced himself. “I’ve been in the military for the last fourteen years. Women are rare. Pretty ones are even harder to come by. You learn to make an impression any way you can.”
Everyone but Rachel laughed—even the traitor, Jonathan. Was that what Garrett was trying to do—make an impression? Well, he’d have to pull out the big guns to impress her.
“I understand completely. And it’s nice to see that chivalry is still alive and well.” Alan winked at Rachel. “In spite of what they’ll tell you, women like their men to make them feel special. Sure . . . today’s woman can fend for herself just fine, but that doesn’t mean she’d object to being set up on that pedestal now and then. Right, honey?” Alan turned to his wife, the slant of his lips forming a crooked smile.
Linda’s gaze swept to her husband, and Rachel was surprised at the vacant stare that made her seem miles away. Then, as though Linda suddenly realized where she was, she laughed softly, wrapped her hand around Alan’s forearm, and looked around the table. “That’s what I love about Alan. He’s always coming up with new ways to show me I’m the only woman in his life.” She leaned toward him and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
Alan smiled proudly, but Rachel was struck by how quickly Linda detached emotionally from the conversation, apparently resuming whatever internal thoughts had occupied her before her husband pulled her into the discussion. Was there trouble up on that pedestal? Rachel sincerely hoped not. They’d seemed so happy together whenever they’d come to stay at the lodge. Rachel hadn’t analyzed their marriage before . . . and it would be best if she didn’t start now.
Rachel usually enjoyed these dinners with travelers from across the country, learning where they were from and where they’d been. The Taylors were almost always the first to arrive each spring. This was the sixth year in a row they’d been guests of the lodge for the early bear hunts. For all intents and purposes, they were practically family. They’d grown to know the
A few minutes later, she and Dory carried the food dishes into the dining room table as Peg, Jonathan, and the guests started filing in. Dory went back to the kitchen, while Rachel turned toward her seat.
Peg sat at the head of the table with the Taylors, a couple from Colorado, on her left, but Jonathan sat on her right . . . where Rachel’s place card should have been. A quick glance revealed the worst-case scenario. Her name was on the placard next to Jonathan . . . and Garrett was already seated on her right. Dory . Oh, how her friend was going to pay for this.
As she circled the table to take her place, she caught a smug grin from Jonathan, which shot him to the top of her most likely culprits list. She should have known he wouldn’t want to make small talk with Garrett any more than she did. Still, it was unforgiveable, and she narrowed her eyes, hoping he’d understand that she would get even.
Just as she reached her seat, Garrett jumped up, pulled her chair out, and smiled as he waited for her to sit. She slid onto the seat and allowed him to push her in while her stomach did a little flip-flop, which she assured herself was only hunger.
Mr. Taylor, Alan, paused in the conversation he’d been having with Peg to watch curiously as Garrett seated her. Realizing that everyone had now fallen silent, Rachel felt the smoldering heat of embarrassment. If only a hole would open in the floor, she would gladly disappear through it. Alan exchanged a glance with his wife, then studied Rachel for a moment before he grinned.
“You’re making the rest of us look bad, son.” A good ten years Garrett’s senior and considerably smaller in stature, Alan’s low, raspy voice vibrated with humor as he extended his hand toward Garrett. “Alan Taylor, and this is my wife, Linda.”
Garrett shook hands and introduced himself. “I’ve been in the military for the last fourteen years. Women are rare. Pretty ones are even harder to come by. You learn to make an impression any way you can.”
Everyone but Rachel laughed—even the traitor, Jonathan. Was that what Garrett was trying to do—make an impression? Well, he’d have to pull out the big guns to impress her.
“I understand completely. And it’s nice to see that chivalry is still alive and well.” Alan winked at Rachel. “In spite of what they’ll tell you, women like their men to make them feel special. Sure . . . today’s woman can fend for herself just fine, but that doesn’t mean she’d object to being set up on that pedestal now and then. Right, honey?” Alan turned to his wife, the slant of his lips forming a crooked smile.
Linda’s gaze swept to her husband, and Rachel was surprised at the vacant stare that made her seem miles away. Then, as though Linda suddenly realized where she was, she laughed softly, wrapped her hand around Alan’s forearm, and looked around the table. “That’s what I love about Alan. He’s always coming up with new ways to show me I’m the only woman in his life.” She leaned toward him and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
Alan smiled proudly, but Rachel was struck by how quickly Linda detached emotionally from the conversation, apparently resuming whatever internal thoughts had occupied her before her husband pulled her into the discussion. Was there trouble up on that pedestal? Rachel sincerely hoped not. They’d seemed so happy together whenever they’d come to stay at the lodge. Rachel hadn’t analyzed their marriage before . . . and it would be best if she didn’t start now.
Rachel usually enjoyed these dinners with travelers from across the country, learning where they were from and where they’d been. The Taylors were almost always the first to arrive each spring. This was the sixth year in a row they’d been guests of the lodge for the early bear hunts. For all intents and purposes, they were practically family. They’d grown to know the
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