Page 249 of The Brothers at Horseshoe Ranch

“No, why would that be a problem?”

“Well, I know Horseshoe Ranch is planning on opening some sort of eco-resort. I don’t know if their plans also include a learning ranch or what. I just want to make sure that there’s not going to be any conflict of interest here.”

“Oh,” I said, “No, of course not.” I thought for a moment. I had heard Beau and Austin saying something about opening an eco-resort, but they weren’t also going to do a learning ranch, were they? I didn’t recall them having said anything. And while it would have been easier for me to go to them and suggest the program, I didn’t want to get too involved with their family business, especially if things between Wyatt and me were complicated. The last thing I needed was more drama coming my way.

“Sadie, I really like you,” Dominic said. “I think this could be a really good venture for all of us. I would love to chat more …” He paused and looked up as the bell over the door jangled. “Oh, look, it’s one of your friends.”

I turned around. “Not sure who you’re…” And then I saw him. Wyatt stormed towards the table, a dark look on his face. What was he doing here?

“Sadie,” he said as he stopped next to the table, looked at me, and then looked at the two men. “Are you for real?”

“What are you talking about, Wyatt?”

“You’re on a date with two brothers.”

“What?”

“Are you really this desperate for a man that you’re going to go on a double date with two brothers and see which one you like best?”

My jaw dropped. I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. “What are you even talking about, Wyatt?”

“Everyone knows the Olivio brothers love to chase the same woman.” His lips curled in disgust. “So, which one do you like, Dominic or Tom?”

“Wyatt, this is not—”

“Uh-huh, save it, Sadie,” he grabbed my hand. “Let’s go.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m talking to them—”

“Sadie, I know you’re innocent, but this is absolutely ridiculous. You cannot just accept a date with any old man that asks you out. And you certainly cannot accept a date from two guys that are constantly in competition trying to get the same woman. Do you have no self-respect?”

“Are you freaking kidding me right now, Wyatt Hamilton? This is not a date.” I looked over at Tom and Dominic who were both grinning and laughing.

“Sorry,” Dominic shrugged. “He’s not lying. We do like to take out the same woman and see which one she’ll choose. But, bro, this is not—”

“Save it,” Wyatt cut him off. “Sadie, let’s go.”

“Wyatt, you need to go right now. This is not a date. This is a business meeting, okay?”

Wyatt’s eyes went wide as he dropped my hand. “What are you talking about?”

“I said this is a business meeting, and you need to leave. I cannot deal with this right now.”

“Okay, whatever,” he said. He took a deep breath and looked back at Dominic and Tom and then looked at me. “But be careful, Sadie, because they might be telling you this is a business meeting, but I’m pretty sure I know what they want.” He pointed at them. “If you dare make a move on her, I will hunt you down.” He stared back at me, “Call me later. We need to talk.”

And with that, he was gone.

I looked back at the brothers, wishing the floor would swallow me up. “Sorry about that. Wyatt can be a little bit, um, overprotective.”

“You can say that again,” Tom said with a chuckle. “He is way more than overprotective.”

“He’s freaking crazy,” Dominic added. “I thought he was going to beat my ass just for looking at you.”

“I’m sorry. He didn’t understand that this was a business meeting and that you two don’t have any inappropriate feelings toward me.” I giggled nervously.

“Oh, well, I wouldn’t say that,” Dominic winked at me, and my face got warm. “I mean, you are a hottie, Sadie Johnson. I cannot lie.”

I blinked at him, at a loss for words. Was he hitting on me? Was he hoping to get into my pants as well as go into business with me?

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