Page 57 of A Cowboy's Claim
She gestured toward a second tray. This one held more than a dozen small canning jars, each one filled with something green and leafy.
Rose leaned forward with suspicion before she let out a little gasp of delight. “These are herbs.”
“Plant-based challenge! If you don’t beat our butts, I’ll want to know why,” Tansy said firmly.
Edison snatched up a jar in either hand and waggled his brows. “We have ways to make you talk,” he intoned with villainous glee.
It took almost no time for Rose to have a completed list in her hand and a gloating smile on her face.
From her comfy corner chair, Sydney had quietly observed as the merriment unfolded. Outside, a storm had rolled in from over the mountains, turning the sky charcoal and making the nearby trees sway. The house sat next door to the local cemetery, and in it, the small twinkle lights that hung from trees and between fence posts bobbed and danced like lanterns held in ghostly hands.
Sydney breathed in deeply, soaking in the moment of calm.
Lexie settled beside her, a plate filled with snacks resting in her lap. “They’re good people.”
“The best,” Sydney agreed. “Are you having fun?”
“I am. Although it is kind of odd that they’re holding two parties tonight. I thought it was becoming the norm to have a joint event. The last shower I attended, Michael and I brought?—”
Lexie cut off. She snatched up a chip and loaded it with salsa before shoving it in her mouth. She stared up at the corner of the room as if pretending she hadn’t spoken at all.
Confusion was the highest thing on Sydney’s mind. “Who is Michael?”
Rapidly chewing and swallowing Lexie shrugged. “No one. Just someone I was seeing at one time. It didn’t work out.”
No. There was more to the story, and Sydney had a horrible premonition she knew what trouble had been haunting Lexie all along. “Michael Jeremiah?”
Lexie’s expression crumpled.
On her other side, Petra stiffened. She’d been watching the center of the room but now turned her attention to Sydney and Lexie. “Relative of yours, Syd?”
“Oldest brother,” Sydney confirmed. “Lexie? What’s going on?”
The rest of the room was filled with the noise and amusement of the games as people wandered into the kitchen for refreshments. With unerring talent, Tansy made her way over and settled on the arm of Petra’s chair. “You guys look way too serious for a party.”
“Is there somewhere we can go for a little privacy?” Sydney asked Tansy.
“Sure. This way.”
Lexie didn’t meet any of their eyes, but she also didn’t try and run away, following them into a neat and tidy home office.
“What’s up, Lexie?” Sydney spoke softly but firmly. “If you were dating my brother and things didn’t work out, why would my grandfather recommend you so highly? Or is something else happening here?”
Lexie looked absolutely miserable. “Mr. Jones suggested it would be in all of our best interests if I got more experience elsewhere.”
“Best interests?” Sydney didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but a whole lot of bouncing in her brain headed towardoh shitterritory. “Tell me if I got this right. You’re fully certified and working at Toronto General where my brother also works. The two of you get involved. Suddenly, my grandfather decides you needed to work in a different province.”
“Mostly right.” Lexie lifted her gaze off the floor, frowning as she met Sydney’s eyes. “Your brother is in line to receive an invitation to become a part of a very prestigious research event. But it involves travel, and?—”
“And if you and Michael were getting serious, he might turn down the research in order to stay with you.” Sydney didn’t make it a question. She was damn sure that’s what her grandfather had thought.
Lexie nodded.
This was more than messy—it was manipulative, and it stank of Grandpa Nate’s brand of control. “Does my brother know why you left?” Sydney asked.
“If I told him, he might’ve told me to stay—and that would’ve defeated the whole plan,” Lexie said softly.
Tansy’s gaze jumped between them all. “So your grandfather broke you up because he’s organizing life plans for his grandson? Why would you go along with that?”
