Page 52 of The Wedding Ranch
Diane blew out the candles. Joe sliced the cake and served it while Diane opened presents.
Just as Ryder took a bite of cake, he noticed Mark slip a small box to his sister.Some guys never give up. Be gentle with his feelings, Diane.He ate his cake, happy to sit back and watch family and friends celebrate his sister. The restaurant wasn’t closed to the public, but everyone in the place was here for the party. He liked that about this town.
“This is the best birthday ever,” Diane said. “This cake is amazing.”
“It’s not over. Dad sent something. It’s getting delivered to my house. I’ll have to meet you over there with it. I have a little something for you too.”
“You didn’t have to do anything, Ryder. You’re so thoughtful.” Diane blew him a kiss.
Out of the corner of his eye, Ryder caught a glimpse of a black Range Rover rolling down Main Street. He watched as they parked in front of the attorney’s office. It was usually closed on Saturday.
Ryder stood, easing closer to the window with his cake plate still in his hand.
His fork hit the ground when he saw Archer K. Bloom step out onto the sidewalk.
Thought I’d seen the last of that guy. He’d better not be after more land in this town.
Chapter Fourteen
Lorri was at the farmers market Saturday afternoon picking out fresh produce for the week when her phone started ringing. She fumbled her basket and purse trying to answer. Finally, she hit the green button and before she could say “hello”, she heard her boss’s voice.
“Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! How did you get all that done so quickly?”
The Bloom campaign.A call this quick, and on a Saturday, was totally unexpected. She hadn’t expected him to see it until Monday. “It came to me so clearly. I couldn’t stop once I got started.”
“I simply had to let you know how impressed I am. I forwarded it straight over to him, and he’s already called me. He’s so impressed he can’t wait to talk to you.”
Lorri felt unsure about that. “What do you mean?”
“It turns out he has business in Dalton Mill today. He wants to meet with you and go over the packet with you in person.”
In person? She wasn’t thrilled about interrupting her personal life with business. She liked the clean separation of the two. “I’m not comfortable with clients coming to my home,” she said.
“No. Of course not. I told him you’d meet him at Take the Cake & Coffee Shop. He said it’s down the street from his attorney’s office on Main Street. Do you know of it?”
“I do. Sure.”
“He can meet you in an hour. Can you be there?”
It was a question, but Lorri knew she didn’t have much choice. “The account manager usually handles these meetings. Why does he want to meet with me?”
“He wants to talk directly to the talent. That’s you. He’s promising another big project. I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“Give me an hour and a half. I need to get back home, change clothes, and print everything out.”
“Done. Thank you, Lorri. Great work.”
She ended the call still in a state of wonder.Wouldn’t it be funny if this account yielded the biggest profit and took the least amount of her time?
She hopped in her car and sped home to change. Thank goodness she lived just around the corner.
Mister seemed disappointed when she ran past him without a hello.
Since it was the weekend, she stuck with her jeans but changed into a blouse and pulled her hair up. A gold chain, and she looked as pulled together as if it had been on purpose.
“Sorry, Mister.”
She printed out some samples, then tucked her portfolio and her laptop under her arm and ran out the door.
