No One But You by Leigh Greenwood Page A

cheeks were the result of embarrassment over Zac’s obvious exaggeration, or pleasure at being included in such an undertaking, which was something that had never happened to him before. She hoped it would be possible to invite Zac to visit someday. That would be wonderful for Jared.
    â€œWhat are you going to do when you grow up?” George asked Ellen.
    â€œI’m going to own my own ranch and run it myself,” Ellen told him.
    â€œWon’t you let your husband help?”
    â€œI’m not going to get married. Mama says men are lazy and undependable. And that’s just the best ones.”
    The heat that flamed in Sarah’s cheeks wasn’t cooled by Rose’s unsuccessful efforts to hide her laughter. Even George had difficulty repressing a smile.
    â€œShe must have heard Rose talking about me,” Monty joked. “She says no woman in her right mind would have me.”
    â€œ I said no woman in her right mind would have you,” Hen corrected. “Rose said you’d drive a sane woman out of her mind.”
    â€œSounds like the same thing to me,” Monty said. “But I agree with Ellen. I’m not getting married either.”
    â€œFor that we can be profoundly thankful,” said Jeff.
    Monty turned to Sarah. “George tells me that you want to hire one of our men.”
    â€œThat’s not exactly what I mean to do, but I do hope I can convince one to come work for me on my ranch.”
    â€œHave you decided which one?” Rose asked.
    She had decided and undecided at least a hundred times. She would be relieved to be forced to state her choice. She was a sensible woman, a rational woman, one who made decisions based on facts and not emotion. She couldn’t understand why this time had been so different.
    â€œYes, I have decided,” she said.
    â€œWho is it?”

Six
    â€œSalty.”
    Sarah couldn’t believe her own ears. She’d intended to say Walter. His name was practically on her tongue. How could she possibly have said Salty? The man himself was so surprised he nearly knocked his coffee over.
    â€œI always thought he was the perfect choice for you,” Rose said. “I’m glad you agree.”
    Sarah’s gaze swung from Walter to Salty, back to Walter, then again to Salty. Both men showed surprise, but not in the same way. Walter appeared surprised but sanguine. He must have guessed she favored him, though she hadn’t said anything.
    Still confused, Salty asked, “Are you sure you really mean to choose me? You said I didn’t fit your requirements.” He was handing her the perfect opportunity to allow her brain to correct the mistake her emotions had caused her to make.
    â€œDon’t you want to be our father?” Jared asked. “Is it because I’m a cripple?”
    Sarah’s gaze flew to her son, but he was turned toward Salty, a look of hopefulness on his face that she had never seen. What had Salty done to cause Jared to form such a strong attachment so quickly? How had she missed it? She held her breath waiting for Salty’s answer.
    â€œYou’re not a cripple,” he said. “You have some trouble getting around, but there are lots of things I could teach you to do.”
    Jared turned to his mother. “Are you going to let him?” The longing in Jared’s eyes would have pierced the resistance of a much more hardened soul than hers.
    â€œDoes your sister like Salty?” Sarah asked.
    Ellen favored Salty with one of her rare smiles. “Tyler says he can ride a horse better than anybody except George, Monty, and Hen.” In her daughter’s mind, Salty needed no further qualifications.
    Sarah turned to Salty. “What do you say?”
    The ranch hand’s gaze rested on Jared for several moments before turning to Sarah. “I’ll be happy to accept your proposal.”
    Apparently unaware of the tension in the room, Monty said,