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frightening, because she was feeling so far out of her element. Here she was in a remote cabin in the hills of Montana, spending way too much time on business that should have been cleared up during a simple meeting. And would have, if the woman she’d hoped to meet with hadn’t been unavailable.
    She shot a sideways glance at the man seated beside her. She’d expected to meet with some backwoods cowboy. Despite his wild, mountain-man look, Matthew Malloy just didn’t fit the image at all. From the give-and-take so far, she saw he was smart, savvy, and tough enough to take care of himself and his family.
    “You seem to have quite a bit of knowledge of law. Was that your college major?”
    Her question brought a smile. “College, when I could manage the time, was spent on business as much as law. Though I do admit to loving the challenge law school presented. I never finished, though.”
    “Why?”
    He chuckled. “Life got in the way. And I told myself that if I could make the ranch successful enough, I could hire a big-city law firm.”
    “And did you?”
    “Yeah. But I still like to read every line of a contract, especially since my signature seals the deal.”
    Vanessa grew thoughtful. No wonder his grandmother had recommended this particular grandson to handle the interview in her absence.
    Matt got to his feet and walked to the small kitchen. “I think I’d better get some dinner started. If Burke comes, no harm done. But if he can’t get through, you won’t starve to death.”
    Vanessa looked up with a quick, nervous smile. “What can I do?”
    He paused. “For now, why don’t you just relax in front of the fire?”
    As another rumble of thunder, closer now, shook the cabin, she nodded her agreement. Setting the glass of wine aside, she leaned her head back, fighting the tension that knotted her insides. Breathing deeply, she struggled to find a calm place in her mind. Not an easy thing to do, with so many appointments that would have to be juggled if she happened to be delayed here. She prided herself on always being on time. It was part and parcel of who she was. What she was. A disciplined, organized, efficient workaholic. And here she was, being asked to relax and roll with this fickle weather.
    Within minutes, exhausted by the long flight, lulled by the warmth of the fire and the wonderful aroma of onions in a skillet wafting on the air, she was able to blot out the thought of the storm raging outside, and the appointments she would miss, and was soon drifting on a cloud of contentment.

Chapter Four
    V anessa’s head came up sharply as she jolted awake. She’d been asleep only a few minutes, but it was enough that she felt a quick rush of embarrassment at her lapse.
    She turned her head to see Matt stirring something on the stove. She breathed deeply, feeling suddenly ravenous. She picked up her wineglass and strolled to the counter, where she perched on a wooden bar stool and watched Matt work.
    He looked over. “Hungry?”
    She nodded. “I didn’t realize how much until now. Something smells wonderful.”
    “Yancy’s chili. And I have some bread warming in the oven.”
    A giant rumble of thunder had him looking at her. “Sounds like the storm’s directly overhead now. This should be the worst of it before it blows past.”
    She tried to take comfort in the thought that it would soon be over, but the sound of rain lashing the windows had her shivering.
    Seeing it, Matt nodded toward a plaid afghan tossed over the end of a bunk. “Wrap that around you. It’ll keep the cold at bay.”
    “Thanks. I think I will.” She crossed the room and draped the warm plaid around her shoulders before returning to the counter.
    Matt rummaged through some containers in the supplies he’d brought and gave a murmur of pleasure. “Here it is.” He uncovered a plastic bowl filled with greens, before uncorking a bottle of liquid. “Yancy makes the best salad dressing in the world.” He glanced at