Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
“How long has that been?”
JB made a show of rubbing his hand across his face, muttering the number into it.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t catch that,” Cole pressed, nudging the man with his foot.
Groaning, JB said loudly, “Five years.”
Cole winced. “Five? That’s worse than me. I think I’ve been on three or four dates in the past few years.”
“I mean I have hooked up several times in the past five years,” JB announced quickly, and it was all Cole could do to not laugh in his face. “But hooking up is not dating. You don’t expect to marry a random hookup.”
“And I would imagine that there aren’t many dating opportunities to cross your path here on the ranch where you’re putting in long hours.”
“Not exactly.”
Cole held up one hand, palm up. “So, your dad is worried you’re going to regret dedicating your life to the ranch, and your mom is worried you’re going to be alone your whole life.”
JB nodded. “And then there’s the stress of the ranch potentially failing.”
“Hate to say it, but it sounds like you need to have a long talk with your parents before they do something in the name of it being ‘for your own good.’ ”
JB made a show of shuddering. “Are there any four words that are worse in all the world?”
Cole held up one hand and counted off on his fingers. “Brussels sprouts with peas?”
JB chuckled. “I’ll give you the peas, but you shouldn’t count out brussels sprouts altogether. Shred them and bake them till they’re nice and crisp. Drizzle some balsamic vinaigrette on them.”
Cole couldn’t stop his skeptical look. “I don’t know. Maybe.” He had never been a fan of brussels sprouts, and he didn’t think that was ever going to change. Not even for JB’s charming smile and wink.
“I think you’re right, though. I don’t believe Dad’s seriously considering the offer, but I need to make sure that he and Mom don’t get it in their heads that they’re doing me some kind of favor by selling.” JB stretched out his legs in front of him, crossing them at the ankle. He’d finished his second sandwich and gently patted his still-flat stomach as if he were nursing a food baby.
“If you’d like, I can look into this property development company and the guy behind it. Make sure everything is on the level for you. Get any dirt or shadiness lurking in their past.”
JB’s head popped up suddenly, as if Cole had woken him from his food coma. “Seriously? You could do that for me?”
“Yeah, it’s kind of what I do. Well, part of it.”
“And you don’t mind? Rowe wouldn’t mind me using you as a resource? And then any other Ward Security resources you might need to do your digging?”
Cole shook his head. “Not at all. I think he’d look at it as getting square with you since you are giving me room and board on your ranch. The least I could do would be to make sure that you keep the ranch safe for your future kids.”
“Shhhhh! Keep your voice down!” JB hissed. “My mom is crazy for grandkids right now. She’s got two and made it clear that two is not nearly enough.”
A low chuckle left Cole. “Good to know. But I can do some digging around. It’ll probably take only a day or two. At least if your dad is seriously considering the offer, you can be sure whether or not this company is reputable. If they’ve got a shady past…”
JB nodded. “Then Dad won’t feel bad at all about turning the offer down.”
“Exactly.”
JB loudly hooted and pretended to shove a cigar in the corner of his mouth while saying, “I love it when a plan comes together,” in a fairly decent imitation of Hannibal Smith from The A-Team.
The cowboy jumped to his feet and swept away the plates, tossing them into the trash before starting to put all the food and condiments away again. Cole started to rise so he could help, but JB waved him away. It was a fair trade-off because Cole had made the sandwiches.
“How are you feeling since the ride?” JB inquired, glancing over his shoulder at Cole.
“Not too bad. I’ve got muscles aching where I didn’t think I had them, but my knees have started feeling less wobbly.”
JB huffed a laugh and nodded. “I think the break in the middle helped. I’ve got to head to the office. You should jump in the hot tub for a little while. We’re having dinner tonight with my parents up at the main house. My sister and her family are supposed to be there, too.”
Nerves instantly flared up in his stomach, setting free butterflies the size of Andean condors loose. “Are you sure I wouldn’t be intruding? I could eat something here.”
“Nah. They want to meet you and show you that everyone in Texas is crazy.” JB crossed over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “And don’t worry. I get that you’re quiet. My mom and sister talk enough for a whole crowd of people. You’re not gonna have to make much small talk.”