Page 24 of The Rancher's Fake Fiancée

“Sure, we can. Let me get saddled and you do the same. If your dad catches us playing hooky, then I’ll sweet talk him.” She winked and received the laughter from the child she wanted to hear return.

*

“Are you bothokay?” Cole had left the three guests in the living room while he made an excuse to take a business call in his study. When the priest had arrived at the house and announced that he had left Jesse and his daughter headed out on a ride, he had wanted to know what was going on but without setting off anyone’s suspicion.

Jesse had answered her cell on the second ring. “We are just fine. Everyone good there?”

“Philippe arrived just a few minutes after their friend the padre came in. When he said that he had left you and Emmie setting off on a ride, I had a feeling something had changed.”

“Yes, Emmie and I are playing hooky from chores. It was my idea. I told her I would smooth it over with you.” He heard Emmie’s laughter close by.

“I see. She is within earshot.”

“That’s right. So, you aren’t upset right?”

“You told her that you would smooth things over. Any idea of what that might be?”

His response had brought silence. He could imagine the woman’s surprise and her brain switching gears. Something goaded him into having a bit of fun in such a situation given they were both okay and not in harm’s way. He leaned back against the edge of his desk and crossed his arms, the phone settled into his shoulder.

“Well, that sounds like a conversation for later…in private,” she returned. He could imagine her trying to smile and play it off in front of a rapt audience listening intently.

“I look forward to talking to you in private later. Those talks tend to involve more than just talk though.”

A cough interrupted behind him. He turned to find Madeleine and Philippe standing there. He should have locked his door. Cole straightened.

“I see that you have an audience to play with so good thinking on your part,” Jesse spoke up. “I’ll leave you to it. Emmie and I will be back before long. Have fun.”

So, she thought he had been talking in front of his ex. He couldn’t very well correct her at that moment. “You both take care, and I’ll see you when you get home.” He replaced the cell in his pocket.

“Can I help you two?” He tried to pretend to be a good host, but it lost something in translation.

“You promised a tour of your magnificent ranch. Would that be possible?” Philippe was the one who seemed eager. Cole found the guests to be a bit unsettling in their demeanor and conversation. He couldn’t put his finger on it exactly, but they were definitely to be watched.

“You both want a tour now? It tends to get a bit heated out there if you aren’t used to it. As I recall Madeleine you never wanted to venture outside at this hour.”

“I still don’t.” She was very succinct in her response.

“I’m afraid this might be my fault,” the priest spoke up from the doorway. “I have always had a fascination with the west and Texas lore and cowboys, if you will. Since I was a small child even. The chance to see a real ranch is a treat for me.”

Cole wasn’t sure he bought all of that. Of the three guests, the padre was just too smooth for Cole’s own preference. He was ingratiating to an extreme and nothing he said matched the intent of his gaze. But if it would help get the trio on their way faster, then he would do it. “I can bring the Jeep around in a half hour. I just have to touch base with my foreman on some stock matters. Then I will be happy to show you both around.”

“Perfect, my love,” Madeleine purred to her fiancé. “I shall wait for your return beside the lovely swimming pool with a cool drink or two.”

Twenty minutes later, Cole exited the foreman’s office just as Emmie came running past.

“Hey there, where is the fire?”

She halted and grinned at him. “Uncle Joe is on his way to pick me up. I have to feed Chico and Tricks before I leave.”

“Where did you leave Jesse? Did she go on up to the house?”

“No, she’s talking to Rowdy. The ranch hand you hired a couple weeks ago. The cute one,” she explained when he looked clueless. Then he remembered the cowboy who had taken a bit of time adjusting Jesse’s stirrup that day. He headed in the direction Emmie indicated, not pleased with the chuckle from his daughter.

Turning the corner, there was the pair. Standing a bit too close maybe? Heads leaning into their conversation? What was that all about? Where did the urge to walk up and fire the man on the spot come from? Jesse caught sight of his approach and stepped back.

“Am I interrupting?” he said, sounding too terse to his own liking. “Is there a problem?” This time he addressed the cowboy.

“Look at me and smile,” Jesse said. She had a smile on her face already. He looked at her not understanding what was going on. “Smile I said. We can be seen from the house.”

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