Page 28 of The Cowboy and His Beauty
"That's what we've been informing all the ranchers to do, since they’re not taking no for an answer. My boss went over there and let them know that per Texas law there’s nothing we can do, so the landowners they were trespassing on started shooting at them. Knowing him, he probably also told them we were advising them to do so. We're hoping that stops them and scares them out of town."
"We can only hope. Thank you for the heads up."
"You're welcome. Have you and Sky talked after she found out who you are?"
I'm confused about how he knew that, and he must have been able to read it in my face.
"I ran into her in town the day she found out. She was pissed at me because I didn't tell her." He answers the questions I didn't ask.
"Yeah, we've been talking and went on a date last night. I'm surprised you haven't heard about it. I'm pretty sure everyone in town stopped in at the diner to see for themselves while we were there." I shake my head.
"The diner was my next stop to grab some coffee. I'm sure I'll hear about it then. Can I ask why you waited so long to tell her?"
"Honestly, I was scared, and I wanted some time with her. I fully expected her to walk away when she found out who I was. She had absolutely no reason to give me a second chance, and I never expected her to."
"I get that. Just a heads up. I mean, I didn’t know about the date, but I think her parents have. The guy I work with, his parents are friends with Sky’s parents and he told me they're pissed off about who she's been hanging out with lately. I'm assuming that means you."
"Yeah, it probably is. Are the land developers still focused on the Silver Cattle Ranch?" I ask, trying to get off the subject of Sky.
"Yes, but he's holding out and not selling to them. It seems the longer they go without getting property here, the more desperate they're getting. I'm not sure why they aren't moving on."
"Well, if you need anything, let me know. I'm happy to help and get these guys to move on as soon as possible."
Ben's eyes dart behind me, and I turn to see Sky stepping into the room wearing my shirt and her hair a mess. There’s no hiding what happened last night.
"That's my cue. I'll leave you be. Call me if you hear any more about the developers," Ben says before leaving me alone with Sky.
"Get your butt back in that bed," I tell her, absolutely certain that neither one of us will be getting anything done today.
Chapter 17
Sky
It's been a few days since our date at the diner. We haven't left the ranch and are enjoying some time together. We're having breakfast when my phone pings with a text message. My gut tells me I don't want to know who it is, but I check out of duty.
Mom: Dinner tonight. We know you're still in town.
"Everything okay?" Dash asks.
"I have been summoned by my parents. My guess is they heard about us." I don't answer my mom. She's not expecting me to.
"You going?"
"I figure I should. The longer I put it off, the worse it will be."
"Do you want me to go with you?" he asks.
I can tell it’s the last thing he wants to do, and I don't blame him. "No, it's probably better that you don't. I'll go in and see what they know, and decide from there what I want to do."
"Okay. Will you call me if you need anything? I'll probably head into town tonight, so I'll be close if you need me," he says.
I know how he works. "By heading to town, you mean you're going to sit at the park down the road from my parents' house, right?" I ask with a smile.
He doesn't answer, just gives me a look that says, you know exactly what I mean.
The rest of the day flies by, and when I step outside to get ready to head to my parents, Dash is there ready to go.
"I'll follow you into town, and if you need anything, just call," he says, opening my car door for me.
