Page 44 of Impossible Love

I know what he’s really saying. That he can’t trust me to do it.

“Then go with her,” Evander says with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Go do that supervising shit you love to do. Make sure it goes smoothly. And now, if you don’t mind, back off so we can get through all this.”

I look away from Cal. I can’t go to San Francisco. I can’t carry that burden of responsibility.

Evander walks me through the paperwork. He gives me background on the personalities involved and warns me of the speed bumps he sees coming. Then he hands me something from Arlo, who handles the ranch accounts. But it’s only an executive summary of valuation for the purposes of the lease renewal, which, Evander says, is how it’s always been done here.

I stay quiet, but this bothers me. They should have the original documentation. Not to mention that family friends should stay friends and leave money matters to an outside professional. That’s why it’s best not to ask a doctor-relative to provide a medical diagnosis—relationship history can cloud objective counsel.

But it’s none of my business. My priority is getting this contract taken care of for them, then turning my attention back to Sulfur Springs.

“Are you going to go to San Francisco?” Cal frowns down at me as he asks this.

“Please,” Evander says. “Seriously, I need your help.”

I nod. I’ll do it. Even though I’m aware that this is a step that will tighten my ties to the MacLaines and muddy my relationship with Cal. Not that I have a relationship with him. Whatever it is that we have, we’ve just blurred a few more lines.

I know this isn’t smart for me to do. I know I shouldn’t represent the MacLaines in one deal while I’m still trying to get them to work with me on another. But I’ve already fucked up on so many levels and done so many things that I shouldn’t have that one more isn’t going to make a lot of difference.

“All right,” I say. I don’t look at Cal. I don’t want to see the disapproval.

We wrap up the meeting. I save the notes I’ve made on my laptop and accept a few of the files. Just as I stand, Phoebe pokes her head in the door, a coat over her shoulders. “I’m heading out. My mom just dropped off something for our favorite patient.” She places a large casserole dish in Cal’s arms. “Mind taking that back with you? At least Mr. Perky Pants will have something to eat if he ever gets discharged. Bye!”

“I’m not taking pain medication!” Evander yells so that Phoebe can hear him. “That better not be lasagna! Everyone assumes sick people want lasagna. I don’t want lasagna and I’m not sick!”

Phoebe peers around the doorway, laughing. “It’s tuna casserole, Ev. Lots of omega-threes for collagen synthesis, which will help heal the incision.”

She disappears before Evander can start up again. Smart woman. I could learn a thing or two from Nurse Phoebe.

Cal’s sullen on the ride back. I busy myself by reviewing notes. We pull into the ranch, and Cal drives past his place and toward the barn, where Summer and Jasmine are standing.

“Victoria! Summer says you’ll go riding with us!” Jasmine’s hopping up and down in a princess dress over jeans and riding boots. Summer is in her regular ranch hand outfit, her long, untamed dark hair spilling out from under her cowboy hat.

I exit the Jeep and walk toward them. “Riding? A horse?”

“I can grab a bull if you prefer,” Summer says.

I hear Cal laugh behind me.

“I’d love to. Really. But I have to review a bunch of documents. Maybe some other time.”

“I don’t think she can ride.”

He’s right. Again. But I can’t let him know that.

“Of course I can ride, Cal.”

“Good,” he says. “Then by all means, let’s get something tacked up for Miss Backlund.”

“I didn’t bring my riding clothes, unfortunately.” That makes perfect sense because I don’t ride.

“We got everything you might need,” Cal says.

I think I’ve really gone and stepped in it this time.

Chapter 25

Victoria

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