“I’m just making sure you know what you’re getting into. Small-town life isn’t for everyone. It’s slower paced. Not a lot to do. Most people can’t hack it.”
Her eyes narrow at me, and her hands flex around her glass of water.
If I didn’t know better, I’d think she’s debating throwing that glass at me.
“You know,” she says as she slides the glass an inch. I grasp her wrist and take the glass from her hand, pulling her hand toward my lap and holding it there firmly. She slides her chair closer to me. “Sometimes, Nash Whitlock, you make me so mad. I grew up in a small town. I don’t need you to talk to me all patronizingly, as if I’m not an adult who makes her own decisions…” She trails off as a man comes to sit down across from us.
“I had to come meet the lovebirds here.”
Zane Madden grins at us, and I’m pretty sure he knows we’re having a disagreement. He has impeccable timing.
“This is Magnolia. Magnolia, Zane.” I begrudgingly make the introduction.
Zane extends a hand toward Magnolia, and I’m forced to let her go. She reaches to shake his hand and smiles at him.
“Are you friends with Nash?”
“Not really,” he says.
“Then I’m really happy to meet you,” she says as she shoots a glare back at me.
“Oh, is everything okay in paradise? You know, if you’re fighting with Nash, you’re welcome to come stay at my ranch.”
I wonder if I should lean across the table and choke him now or wait until we’re out in the parking lot.
“Well, engagements have rough patches, as you well know,” I grind out.
Magnolia looks at me with wide eyes, as if she can’t believe I would say something like that to him. She doesn’t know Zane is also a professional at getting a rise out of people. Zane now looks like he’d like to wrap his hands around my neck.
Magnolia saves us from doing something we shouldn’t and says, “Some people don’t know a good thing when they have it.”
I don’t know if she’s talking to Zane or me, but we both lean back in our chairs and settle down.
“So, what are you back for good? You haven’t been here in a while,” Zane says.
“Alexander had some bad health, so I haven’t been able to get away as much. I’ve been taking on management over?—”
“You’ve turned into a city slicker now?”
“Definitely not. I’m just managing his businesses until he can find a replacement for me.”
“That’s fair enough. Family’s family. As long as you’re planning on coming back someday…” Zane drags out the comment and waits for me to answer him.
I feel a real smile spread across my face at the thought. “I’m coming back.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to having you around when it’s time to buck some hay.”
“You know they’ve invented these things called big bales, right?” I ask him.
“You know it’s nice to be able to throw a small bale on a four-wheeler and run out to feed a couple of cows here and there.”
I shrug. Unfortunately, he’s right. It’d be nice if we could do everything with the tractor, but sometimes, the old ways are still the best.
“How do you feel about throwing hay, Magnolia?” Zane asks.
She shrugs. “I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever picked up a hay bale, but I could try.”
“I like that attitude. Putting up hay this weekend if you want to come help.”
