“Okay, but you can’t go into that room and take his jerseys out of their frames.” Who does that?
“What? No, I got this out of his closet. He’s got a whole stack. I think he messed up his signature on them.” With a pained expression, she stood. “And look, I’m really sorry about last night. I swear, I don’t usually drink. When I woke up to chocolate cake on my blanket, I went down to the basement to see what damage I’d done there, but I guess it wasn’t as bad as I thought?”
She looked to him for an answer, but he didn’t give one. Yeah, it was a shitshow down there wasn’t necessary. And why did she make it so hard to hold onto his anger? She was fierce, but underneath all that attitude was a vulnerability that undid him.
“I don’t suppose you could take me into town? I have some errands to run. And…” Her chin dipped in embarrassment. “I need to replace the birthday cake.”
“I already ordered it. I’m going to pick it up now.”
“You did? Oh, that’s so nice of you. Thank you so much.”
“I didn’t do it for you.”
“No, I know. I just meant…”
“I know what you meant.” He gestured to the table. “What’re you doing out here?”
She lifted a plastic cup. “I’m selling lemonade.”
“Why?”
“I’ve got a splitting headache, and I spent half the night with my head in a toilet bowl. And it just felt like everyone was making fun of me, making me shovel horse poo while you’re inside working in Kurt’s office.” She watched him carefully, as though trying to see if she was correct. “The codicil says I need to live and work on the ranch, but it doesn’t specify which job, so…I’m selling lemonade.”
He’d thought she was a spoiled princess. He’d thought she was too frivolous to value the lifestyle Kurt had offered her. But now, he knew her family had kicked her out because she wouldn’t marry for money and that she’d felt rejected by her biological father.
He didn’t pity her. She was too resilient for that. But he did see her in a new light.
“No, that’s not what we’re doing. Someone has to do that work until Tina gets back. But lay off the lemonade. It’s for the festival.”
“It’s not like I’m actually selling it. Only one person’s stopped by all morning.”
“Whatever.” Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her plump breasts in pink lace. Last night, he’d tried to stop thinking about the fall of her hair and the sway of her hips. He hadn’t been able to shut down the way she’d looked on her back, whispering about tickling the pickle.
She eyed him warily. “As long as you and Hank aren’t trying to put me in my place, I’ll do the chores.”
“Good. Now you can stop being paranoid.”
“Oh, come on. I see how you all look at me. And I get it. I carry a two-thousand-dollar purse and wear designer clothes. I know I look rich, but I’m not. And no one’s bothered to talk to me about anything.”
“It’s got nothing to do with your clothes. It’s the fact that you plan on selling the ranch. But Hank’s not an asshole, and he’s not going to mess with you. The work needs to be done, and if it’s not you, it’s going to be someone else.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll do it. And I’ll replace the lemonade and pay for the cake.”
“It’s already paid for.” He started toward the Jeep. “But if you want to come with me, let’s go. I’m meeting a friend in town.”
“Oh, thank you.” With an eagerness that didn’t match her sophisticated look, she stuck the pitchers and glasses under the table where they were hidden by a red gingham tablecloth. After setting the sign she’d made under the leg of her chair, she hurried over.
She had a freshness, a sweetness, he found irresistible. “Where do you need me to drop you?”
As she climbed into the passenger seat, she shoved her bag in the footwell. “I mean, don’t go out of your way. I can just have a look around town. I only want a few things.”
“Like what?” He turned onto the highway.
“If I’m staying a month, I’ll need some shorts. I’d love a cute sundress or two, but I suppose that doesn’t make sense if I’m mucking stalls. I suppose I’ll need trainers, another pair of jeans, and a few shirts.”
He didn’t think she’d find what she needed downtown. “The stores on Main Street are either touristy or fancy boutiques.”
“Oh. Well, I don’t suppose you’ve got an ASDA or something like that?”
“I’m not sure what that is, but we’ve got some bigger stores just outside of town where you can probably find what you need.”
“Ah.” She looked down at her lap. “Maybe I should stay here then. I can’t afford a taxi or anything.”
“I can take you shopping after my meeting.”
“You don’t mind?”
“Not at all.” As he accelerated, the wind lifted her hair, making it stream behind her, and she grinned as though she’d never been in a convertible before.
Nothing could suppress this woman’s happiness. Regardless of her shitty situation in life, she glowed from deep within.
As they passed the bison preserve, she gathered her hair and twisted it, somehow tucking the ends into a nest, holding it all in place. The nearer they got to town, the more traffic they encountered. They passed Wild Billy’s with its neon sign of a cowboy on a bucking bronco, and she flashed him a grin. “I love it here.”
He turned onto Main Street to find families posing in front of the antler arches of the town square, cyclists gathering out front of Calamity Joe’s coffee shop, and a few store owners setting up summer kiosks.
Finding a parking spot, he killed the engine. “I’m meeting a friend there”—he pointed to Joe’s—“and then I’m picking up the cake from the place next door.” He leaned across her to indicate Harley and Lu’s Emporium. “I haven’t lived here in seven years, so I could be wrong about the shopping. Take a look around, and I’ll meet you back here in an hour.”
“Just enjoy your coffee and don’t worry about me.” When she looked at him like that, those blue eyes filled with pure sweetness, her hair tousled as if she’d just rolled out of bed—with a mouth made for kissing—he felt the roar of attraction.
“Yeah, okay.” He jumped out of the Jeep and made his way into the coffee shop. What the fuck’s wrong with you? He didn’t like hot messes. Avoided them like the plague. He liked women who had their shit together because successful women with busy lives didn’t sit around planning a future with him that would never happen.
But there was something about Phinny, something…
Who cares? She’s Kurt’s daughter.
It’s never going to happen.
Scanning the crowded café, he saw that Jaime had already grabbed a table for them, and he headed over. “Hey.”
His friend pushed his chair back and half-stood for a handshake. “You want to order coffee or something?”
“Nah. Still can’t stand the stuff.”