“Wash your mouth out with soap, child. This is a big deal. Youarea top chef,” she says with a stubborn chin nod.
“All right, you win,” I say with a theatrical eye roll.
“I know you said the hotel was paid for. Still, I can’t hide my disappointment. I would’ve much preferred it if you were here with Daddy and me. You’re there alone.” She sets her cup on the table. “You should’ve been with family.”
It’s my turn to set my cup on the table. “Actually, Mom, the story the New York Times will be running is a two-part piece––”
She claps. “You’ll be featured twice? Wait until the ladies at church hear this. I need to text Nonna––”
“Mom, calm down. That’s not what I said.” She frowns. “My interview and photo shoot is tomorrow, but today…”
“Yes, today.” Mom motions her hand, coaxing me.
“Today…”You can do this.“They’re interviewing Rhett Sullivan and doing his photo shoot.”
“Who?” Mom contorts her face in a grimace.
“Rhett Sullivan is the reason the New York Times even knows I exist.”
“Is he a famed chef who lives in Summerville?”
“No, he isn’t. You remember how Riley’s older brother owns the ranch where I live right now?”
“Of course.” She shrugs her shoulders as if to say, I’m silly. “Daddy and I even did a search to pinpoint the exact location of the ranch in Texas just in case something were to happen to you.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I’m dumbfounded.
“You’re our only daughter,” Mom says. “We wanted to make sure you were safe and living in civilization and not in a godforsaken remote area of bush country.”
And they wonder why I feel suffocated.
“Back to Rhett Sullivan. He works for Jake.”
“He must have an important position for the New York Times to be interested in him. What does he do?”
“He’s a ranch hand.”
“A what?” That face again.
“He works at the ranch.”
She gives me a despondent look.
My heart is thundering against my chest. “He supervises anything to do with the horses. It’s important work, given howmany head of cattle Jake and Hunter own.” I shouldn’t justify his job, but I feel compelled to do so.
“Why in the world would the New York Times be interested in him? A ranch hand is hardly newsworthy.”
“He used to be a rodeo star—a fifteen-time bareback bronc rider world champion.”
“Now, that sounds a lot more exciting in terms of career than shoveling manure all day long. Why is he a ranch hand?”
“It’s a long story, but basically, he had to walk away.”
Realization flashes in Mom’s blue eyes.
“Are you staying at that hotel with him?”
“I am.”
