Page 157 of Her Boss, Her Rancher: Sunrise On The Ranch

Bella smiled.

“Tared?” Sienna asked, looking around for him.

“He’s still sleeping, little one,” Marie said. “He’ll be down in a few minutes, I’m sure.”

Bella set Sienna down and she wandered over to the unadorned tree. “Are you sure I can’t get you something else to eat?” she asked Veronica.

“Not a thing. But what you can do for me, if it isn’t too strange, is let me give you a big hug. You saved my son’s life.”

She blinked. “Oh, um, sure.”

Veronica stepped up and brought her into a gentle embrace. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she whispered. “I can never repay you for what you did, but if you ever need anything, please let me know.” Veronica backed away, giving her a sincere look. “Okay?”

“Okay, but you don’t owe me anything. I’m only glad I was there to help.”

“So am I. When I think of what might have happened...never mind. I won’t nag him...much.” Veronica wiggled her brows and Bella laughed.

Veronica scrutinized her face for a second. “You kind of remind me of someone I know. But I can’t quite place it.”

Bella froze. Her heart began to pound. “Do I?”

Veronica nodded. “You do. Maybe it’ll come to me.” She turned her attention to Sienna, who was munching on a cracker Marie had given her. “So tell me, how old is Sienna?”

They spent the next ten minutes talking about babies, the joys and frustrations of raising children. Veronica was super excited to become a grandmother for the first time. She was planning on surprising Cooper and Lauren next this morning. She was so easy to talk to, Bella passed off her earlier comment. She knew for a fact she’d never met Veronica Stone, so it was probably nothing. She was being too paranoid about things. She had to lighten up. Amy had pretty much assured her she had nothing to worry about with Marco.

“Angel, Mommy.”

“Yes, I know, sweet girl. Excuse us,” she said to Marie and Veronica. Sienna ran over to the tree and just then Bella spotted Jared in the kitchen doorway, his shirt undone, his jeans riding low on his waist, the face she’d kissed a hundred times shadowed with a day-old beard. She gasped as his eyes found hers and then his mother stepped into her line of vision.

“Hi, honey.”

“Mom, you’re here.” He blinked a few times. “Am I dreaming?”

She glanced at Bella and then back at him. “Actually, you do look a little dreamy-eyed.”

His mother was astute. A warm rush of heat climbed up Bella’s throat.

Veronica walked into Jared’s arms. “So good to see you, son. I’ve been worried about you. I hope you don’t mind me surprising you this way.”

“No, Mom. It’s good to see you, too.” They separated after a few seconds and Jared stepped back, buttoning his shirt. “Have you met Bella and Sienna?”

“I have. We were getting to know each other when you walked in.”

“That’s good. Did you travel all night?”

“Just half the night. But it’s worth it to see you looking so healthy. I bet Bella has something to do with that.”

“Bella?” Jared nearly croaked.

“Marie tells me she’s an amazing chef, all healthy food apparently. Is that right, Bella?”

“Yes, uh, that’s right.”

“Well, I’m happy you’re here,” Veronica said. She gave her son another glance, one he may have deliberately ignored.

Walking farther into the room, he picked up a piece of toast from the table and chewed for a moment. “You want to put your angel on the tree, sugar plum?”

Sienna nodded.