Page 134 of The Guy Who Stole My Ranch

“The two of you were quite friendly at the horse barn.”

I shrugged and wondered who had ratted us out. “I suppose.”

Mrs. Harris leaned toward me, and I smelled alcohol on her breath. “William rarely indulges in public displays of affection.”

“I’m not sure being on your own property counts as public,” I said.

She shrugged and threw my words back at me. “I suppose.”

I put my elbow on the table and propped my chin on my fist. “Other than how we met, what information can I provide for you?”

That got me a slow blink followed by a snake-like smile. “No beating around the bush for you?”

“I work for a living, if there’s no reason to beat a bush, I’d rather avoid it.”

“What do you do for a living?”

“My family owns a ranch east of San Antonio. I run it.”

“By yourself?” Mrs. Harris looked appalled, as if I lived like an indentured slave.

“We’ve got a couple of employees.”

Mrs. Harris made a tsking noise. “That’s a relief, because if you’re going to date William you’re going to have to move here.”

“Oh?” This wasn’t an unexpected comment. I’d already deduced as much, but a part of me hoped that William would move to Texas. This was something the two of us would talk about in the future. Once we figured out if there would be a future for us.

“Yes, my dear, he’s an important businessman who needs to be here to manage the billions of dollars that our family holds.” She emphasized the word billions.

I wanted to ask if money was the most important thing in the world to her but decided against it. Considering her ring tone was the red alert, she probably hadn’t been much of a nurturing influence for her children. Instead, I merely shrugged and said, “I’m aware of what he does.”

“Then you know he can’t come to you.”

“That’s his decision.”

Her glistening peach lips pressed together in a thin line. “My dear, William has already made his decision about running the company.”

I wasn’t sure what to say to that, but someone answered for me.

“You mean you made it for him.”

I jumped at the new voice and turned to find another woman who looked enough like Mrs. Harris and a little like William that she had to be William’s sister, Courtney. She wore a scandalously short light blue dress covered in colorful flowers and strappy sandals with long, needle-like heels. Unlike her mother, her dark hair was up. She was beautiful, but I also knew from Victoria that she was selfish and a bit crazy.

“May I sit?” Courtney waved her hand that held a half-finished drink.

If she stayed, I’d be outnumbered.

I’d been the underdog my whole life, why would tonight be any different? “Sure.”

Courtney settled into a chair and took a moment to study me.

I let her. I had nothing to prove, and nothing she said could be worse than what I’d been told my whole life by people who thought they were better than me.

“I’m Courtney.” She held out a hand. I accepted, and I almost laughed when she gripped harder than William ever had. While the urge to show her who was boss bayed at me to squeeze until she relented, I decided to let her lead this conversation.

After I let go, I said, “I’m Brooke.”

Courtney spoke in a light tone, like we were friends. “William hasn’t told me much about you, but he was anxious for your arrival.” This woman was dying to know more about William and me. Out of spite, I decided to give her as little information as possible.

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