The Rancher's Second Chance by Victoria James Read Free Book Online

she was the spoiled rich girl. He grabbed onto her hand and she jerked it free from his grasp, shocked by the tremor that whipped through her body.
    “There is no way in hell I’m getting on a horse. None,” she said firmly.
    She wasn’t about to elaborate and say that she was deathly afraid of sitting on a horse or that even standing so close to a horse would make sweat break out all over her body. She fidgeted with her gloves because she could feel his intense gaze on her. She wasn’t about to reveal any more to him.
    “Fine, don’t get on the horse,” he said softly and something had changed in his expression. That anger and impatience he’d been huffing and puffing had evaporated, and now he was looking at her strangely. He probably thought she was nuts. Or a wimp. She wasn’t sure what was worse.
    “Let’s go.”
    “Fine,” she said, pausing to pick up her bag and purse. He paused, frowning at her bags.
    “You, uh, need help?”
    She shook her head and lifted her chin.
    “Don’t say I didn’t ask, especially when we’re climbing and you’re huffing and puffing.”Melanie looked away so he wouldn’t see her grin. “I hike all the time,” she said lying, picking up her bags filled with all her decorating supplies.
    “Right. Well, we need to hurry up so we can get back before lunch, so let’s get moving.”
    She realized he wasn’t going to wait for her so she ran off after him.

Chapter Four
    Melanie knew she was in trouble when she practically had to maintain a slow jog just to keep up with Cole. Those long legs of his and towering height that she thought were so appealing were now downright irritating. The lanterns in her messenger bag were clanging, and she was cursing her stupid boot choice. They were comfortable, but now that they were about fifteen minutes into the hike, her feet were beginning to ache, but there was no way in hell she’d utter even the tiniest complaint. She focused instead on keeping up with Cole and the scenery around her. The towering pines loomed in the distance and the entire mountains seemed filled with green against the striking white of the snow.
    “This is going to be gorgeous for the guests, don’t you think?”
    His broad shoulders rolled up and down. She couldn’t see his expression since she was walking behind him, but she’d wager it was a slight scowl. She didn’t really care; it was a brilliant idea for the guests to be transported from the ranch house to the chapel in a horse-drawn sleigh. She had even coordinated pink wool blankets for each sled. She smiled, thinking of Cole bundled up in a pink blanket. He’d probably throw it overboard.
    Even though Cori’s wedding was going to be very small and intimate, no expenses were being spared, and Melanie was going to see that no detail was overlooked. When she’d opened her business she thought working with an upscale market would come easily to her, considering her background, and it had in many ways. She knew what the brides wanted. She knew what the parents wanted. She knew that the wedding was more than an exchange of vows and the beginning of a new life for the couple. It was also a statement of the family’s social status and wealth. While this was easy for her to understand, she also found it unfulfilling. It was growing more and more tiresome. So an intimate wedding like Cori’s was something much more satisfying and was an escape from her typical weddings.
    “So your sister said this chapel has been on the family property for over a century,” Melanie called out, trying to stay in step with Cole. They had been walking for almost half an hour without a word.
    “Yup,” he said his eyes straight ahead.
    Melanie readjusted her bags while maintaining his pace. “And Mrs. Harris said that the cleaning lady came up and had the place thoroughly cleaned?”
    “That’s what I hear.”
    “Great. So it’s just the decorating that needs to be done on the day of,” she said more to herself than