sound strange.”
“Not exactly. Just thought we’d have more time to talk.”
“Great. Phillip’s on his way.”
As soon as Phillip parked, Morgan ran to the car. He nodded at her and turned to drive back to Sara’s house. Morgan stared out the window.
She still felt like she’d landed on another planet. In all her travels with her parents, they’d never been anywhere west, except California. She herself had never had any interest in ranches and all that went along with them. Not until she’d met Justin, and then Sara had married and moved here.
Sara was standing at the front door when Phillip parked the car. He opened the car door for Morgan, and she ran up the steps and hugged her friend.
“I’m so glad you’re here and I’m not alone.”
“What’s happened? You seem upset. Come down the hall with me. We’ll sit in the library. We’ll have privacy. Mitch won’t be back for about an hour, and Caitlin is taking a nap.”
“I like this room.” Morgan turned completely around looking at the books, fireplace with several chairs drawn close, and windows letting in the late afternoon light.
“I fell in love with the room the first time Mitch brought me in here. Sit. Tessa, our cook, will be sending us iced tea and cake any moment now.”
Morgan sat in one of the chairs by the fireplace. No one had lit the fire, and since the room had a slight chill, she left on her jacket.
“I can start the fire if you want,” Sara said.
“No. I’m fine.”
“Even in summer a lot of the days cool down as the sun sets.” A knock on the door had Sara hurrying across the room.
“Come in. Thank you.” A maid set a tray with drinks and cake on a table by Sara’s chair.
After the maid left, Morgan turned to Sara. “Have you gotten used to having someone to do everything for you?”
“Not really. I like to do some of my own work. I tidy up the bedroom and often join Tessa in the kitchen. She’s teaching me how to cook some wonderful recipes.”
“I thought you didn’t like to cook?”
“I’m quite enjoying myself learning from Tessa. Of course, as far as staff goes, Mitch wanted to hire a nanny. I insisted I didn’t need help with one little baby. We compromised. One of the women from the ranch comes in to help whenever I need her. Especially if I’m going to be away from home and don’t plan to take Caitlin with me. Now tell me what is troubling you?” Sara handed Morgan her tea and cake and sat back to listen.
“It’s difficult to say.” Morgan tried to think of a way to tell Sara she thought she might be in love with two men. “No. The idea is too ridiculous.”
“Let me help. Ethan’s an attractive man and he rescued you. You’ve developed feelings for him.”
“Yes.” She held up her hand when Sara began to speak. “I know it’s fast, like you and Mitch.”
“And he cares for you, too?”
“He says he does. Can I trust him?”
“What do you think?”
“No fair answering a question with a question.” Morgan took a bite of the chocolate cake. “You know this will ruin my appetite.”
“You’re evading my question.”
“Yes. I believe Ethan.”
“That’s a good start, especially if you love someone. I suspect what is difficult to say is that you also still have feelings for Justin.”
“You knew.”
“Anyone watching the two of you, even when you’re ignoring each other, knows something is going on between you.”
“I can’t love two men at once. This has never happened to me before. And Justin is a vet, loves animals, and would never live anywhere but this ranch.”
“Ethan probably feels the same about living on the ranch. The land has a way of becoming part of you. I’ve really begun to love it.”
“Sara, I need to get out of here, go away, and try to sort out my feelings.”
“It’s too dangerous for you to leave. Perhaps that’s best. Give yourself a chance to see whether you like the ranch enough to be serious about either one or both of