LITMIR.BIZ

      Four

      Vanessa and Devin left on their honeymoon immediately after the reception, and life on the sprawling ranch went back to normal.

      But normal did not really include her, Savannah thought as she sat the next morning in the dining room, pretending to eat breakfast. She’d gone from being Vanessa’s best friend to being a ranch employee, and wasn’t really sure anymore how to behave.

      Dallas was at the table with her, as was Ryan. After murmuring a preoccupied hello in her direction, Ryan had been prodded by his son to give the final okay on Savannah’s hiring.

      “Hmm? Oh yes, of course. I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Picking up the cup of coffee at his place, he began walking away with it, heading for the front door. “But there’s no need to rush into anything,” he tossed back at her in his wake, still preoccupied. “Why don’t you wait until Vanessa returns before you get started? Just consider this an extended vacation for now.”

      Translation: I’m being retained as a favor, Savannah thought. There was no reason to wait for Vanessa. Vanessa was a psychologist, not the manager of the ranch. That position belonged to Ryan, and to Dallas in part because Dallas would be the one who’d be taking over the ranch when his father retired.

      A sour taste formed in Savannah’s mouth. She’d told Vanessa that she didn’t like the idea of being anyone’s charity case.

      Dallas waited until he heard the front door close before saying anything to Savannah. “It’s not what you think.”

      Savannah stopped toying with the breakfast pastry on her plate. There was just no way she could bring it to her mouth. She’d spent the first half hour of her day being miserably ill with morning sickness. “What do you mean?”

      “I mean that Vanessa didn’t make up the bookkeeping job. We really do need someone to keep the books around here.” He looked toward the front of the house. “It’s just that lately, Dad’s been kind of preoccupied. What with the divorce, and Sophia trying to take him for all he’s worth.”

      Savannah knew all about the bitter battle Ryan Fortune was embroiled in. “You read minds?”

      Dallas laughed, shaking his head. “Your face is an open book. Consider yourself on salary as of this morning.” He pushed back from the table. “As for the books, I’ll show them to you myself later this week. I work at the Fortune TX offices in town, but I also have a hand in the ranch management. For now, why don’t you do what Dad said? Just enjoy our hospitality. Go for a ride. I’ll even join you, if you like.”

      Savannah gave the pastry one last look and then rose from the table. “No, you’ve been kind enough already. I think I could use a little time to myself right now, if you don’t mind.”