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a lot.”
    “He does?” Now why did she feel pleased by that information? “Please call me Annie.”
    Annie couldn’t help but smile. Rosa was charming and lovely but obviously not Trent’s girlfriend or fiancée. Not that it mattered, of course. She’d settled the score with Trent, and now they’d go their separate ways. That suited Annie just fine.
    “Have a snack before you leave. You’re eating for three now.”
    “So you know about my twins.”
    “Mr. Trent told me. Come into the kitchen, Miss Annie. Let me spoil you a little.”
    Annie couldn’t resist the woman’s warmth and friendliness. And a little spoiling sounded like heaven.
    She turned off Eloise. “Thanks. I’d love some dessert.”
    “So how was lunch?” Rosa asked as the two of them walked toward the ranch house.
    “Quiet, I’m afraid. I asked the wrong questions.”
    “Mr. Trent is a private man. And while he’s gruff at times, he has a heart of gold.” Rosa beamed as she spoke the words. Obviously she thought as much of Trent as he did of her.
    Annie was ushered into a large country kitchen. A trestle table sat in the center of the room, surrounded by an assortment of chairs. Rosa installed Annie in one while Trent stood outside talking on the phone.
    The kitchen felt comfortable but was devoid of knickknacks. A no-frills kind of place. But the smell of fresh cookies made it homey and welcoming.
    A short time later, Trent entered the house. He glanced from Annie to Rosa and back again. “Sorry, ladies, but the horse I sold my neighbor is out of control. I need to help out.”
    Rosa smirked and waved her hands in the air. “Just go. I’ll take care of Miss Annie.”
    When Trent’s gaze caught Annie’s, a flurry of excitement hit her with surprising force. “It’s fine,” she said. “I’m leaving anyway.”
    Trent raked a hand through his hair and looked confused. No doubt he wanted this encounter to end as much as she did. After all, she’d been figuratively dumped into his lap. He’d fulfill his obligation to Brad and move on.
    Trent cleared his throat. “Don’t forget to call if you have more car trouble.”
    “I will.”
    “OK then.” He slipped on his Stetson and headed for the back door.
    After he left, Annie felt a blend of relief and disappointment. Since their lunch conversation had hit so many roadblocks, it might have been nice to talk over dessert. But going their separate ways—as soon as possible—was the best option.
    Rosa placed a plate of cookies on the table along with two glasses of milk. “Mind if I join you?”
    “I’d love it.” They’d just started chatting when the phone rang again and Rosa went to answer it.
    Things work out as they should
, Annie told herself. Talking with Rosa beat spending more time with the strong-willed cowboy. Besides, the last thing Annie needed was another man in her life. While part of her missed Brad, she didn’t miss the way he treated her. And being on her own gave her a second chance at life.
    Trent only contacted you out of obligation.
Her conscience made another appearance. But her conscience was right on target. Trent was doing payback. The rancher’s true goal in life was living a reclusive lifestyle.
    Empty houses weren’t the worst obstacles to face. And if Annie had an ounce of sense left, she’d stay miles away from Trent Madison and his tantalizing aftershave. She couldn’t let her feelings of attraction grow. She’d abort them right away.
    Annie squared her shoulders and vowed to do just that.

     
    “So did you cook for your cowboy yesterday?” asked Annie’s friend Sara, who’d called for her daily update. Annie had been filling Sara in on her adventures with Trent Madison.
    “He’s not my cowboy! But I did feed the man a great Italian meal and sent him on his way.”
    “You don’t plan to see him again? The superhero who offered to help you any way he could?” Disbelief echoed in Sara’s voice.
    Annie sniffed. “I don’t need a