He’d been staying at his place for over a week, finding he preferred the quiet solitude after a long day working cattle and being surrounded by the other men. Most days he’d stay at the ranch long enough to visit with Rachel and Dax before riding out, but Rachel’s surprise announcement had him eager to get away.He walked up the steps to the front door and turned to survey the area. The sun had set over the mountains. If not for the few kerosene lanterns he’d placed around, everything would be covered in darkness. He’d loaded each of the stoves with wood before he left that morning and had already started the one in the kitchen, which was where he headed to check on the extra stew Rachel had put aside for him the day before.As he stirred the contents of the black pot, Luke felt a tinge of regret about his response to Rachel. Her intention had been good—show off his new place to her friends. He wondered if it would’ve bothered him if she’d wanted to show it to her Uncle Charles or someone other than Ginny.“Ginny…”
