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“Sure did. He wanted Samantha.”
“Hmmm.” She glanced down at the ground before lifting her gaze to Barrel. “Do you mind telling him I’m not available?”
“I can do that. Are you in some kind of trouble?”
“No.” She shook her head. “No trouble.”
“You’d just rather not speak to this particular man?”
“Yeah.”
“Got you covered, Sam. And don’t worry, I won’t give him your mobile number.”
“Thanks, Barrel. I owe you.”
He waved her off as he headed back to the barn.
The knot stayed in her stomach until close to dinner. Jake Kelman, Quinn, and Logan joined the Whistle Rock ranch hands. Logan filed into the buffet line behind Sam, heaping slices of roast beef, potatoes, gravy, and vegetables onto his plate.
“Are you sitting with your brother?” Sam asked as they stood next to each other with full plates.
A smile spread across his face. “I’d rather sit with a pretty lady.”
“Guess you better go find one.”
“I already know one. Now, find us a couple seats.”
She did. Two seats were open across from Virgil and his wife, Lily. Next to them were Wyatt and his wife, Daisy. The last were enjoying an hour together while Wyatt’s parents watched their infant son, Reece.
“You know how Pop is.” Wyatt glanced around, lowering his voice. “He isn’t going to like anything one of his sons comes up with.”
“I know.” Virgil shrugged. “I thought with the success of the guest ranch he might start showing an open mind.”
“Anson and open mind don’t go together in the same sentence.” Wyatt slid more potatoes into his mouth.
Daisy looked at Lily before each chuckled. Sam and Logan stayed silent. They all knew how stubborn Anson Bonner could be. Everyone for miles around knew about the cantankerous rancher who’d built Whisper Rock into a formidable competitor in horse breeding and cattle. Now, his sons and foreman were enjoying success as a guest ranch, dragging the older rancher along with them.
Wyatt looked across the table at Sam. “What are your thoughts about how the guest ranch is doing?”
Setting her fork down, she leaned back in her chair. “Judging by what the guests tell me, it’s a real success. I hear you’re going to build two more cabins.”
Wyatt nodded. “We got approval today.”
“I believe it’s good to strike while you’re hot.” She smiled. “According to several guests, Whistle Rock Ranch is becoming the place to stay in western Wyoming.”
Virgil nodded. “That’s good to hear, Sam.”
Shrugging, she took another bite of potatoes smothered in rich, dark brown gravy. “Beth and Abbie make the best gravy. Whosever’s recipe it is, I want a copy.”
Everyone chuckled. Logan stopped eating to stare at her. “You cook?”
One derisive brow lifted. “Of course, I cook. I’m not one of these women who acts as if making a meal is beneath her. It’s not like I could survive on those tiny premade meals.” She snorted at the idea.
“Prove it.”
“What?”
“Come up to the house sometime soon and cook for us.”
