The Rancher's Legacy. Jessica Keller

Rhett—about all men—because she knew there were no romantic relationships waiting in her future. Not now, not ever. If Rhett, who had known her better than anyone in the world, could see her completely and find her lacking...could not want her...then no one would.

      No one wanted Macy Howell. Not for the long haul. Not her father, not the ex-boyfriend who had started the fight between her and Rhett three years ago and not her closest friend.

      Why didn’t anyone ever fight to be with her? What made her not worth it?

       Because something’s wrong with you.

      Hot shame poured through her body.

      Macy took another step back and fought the warring desires to slam her finger into Rhett’s chest as she gave him a piece of her mind or to turn and run so she could go lick her wounds in private. But if she wanted to help the foster kids, she couldn’t do either. She needed to be able to work with him, talk to him.

       Relax. This isn’t personal. It will never be personal again.

      She forced a long drag of air through her nose.

      Macy might not matter to anyone, but she could make her life matter by fighting for the kids. By making sure Rhett didn’t end up cutting the programs they all looked forward to.

      She let a breath rattle out of her. “Kodiak’s a good fit here.” There, back to a safe topic. Macy gestured toward Kodiak. “Red dog. She could be the ranch’s mascot.”

      Rhett frowned. “She’s brown.”

      Macy narrowed her eyes, pretending to examine Kodiak. “It’s definitely a reddish brown.” She wrapped her fingers over her opposite elbow.

      Kodiak looked up at Rhett with such adoration.

      “You were always fond of dogs,” Macy said. “I guess training them was a given.”

      “Dogs make sense.” He shrugged. “You don’t have to be anyone special to gain their loyalty. A dog is simple to figure out. They only ask for kindness and time spent together.”

      “And treats.”

      He smiled. “And treats.”

      She hugged her stomach as she watched him walk out of the chapel, her mind roiling with so many emotions it was difficult to sort through them. But one thing was certain: it was going to be near impossible not to fall for Rhett Jarrett all over again.