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“He says he didn’t.”
“Did the Steels hold a mortgage when your dad bought the place?”
“No. Like I said, he bought it from Jeremy Madigan,” Brendan says. “I don’t want any trouble with the Steels. I like all you guys. But Dad and I want this place to be free of the lien. Once the lien is gone, Dad and I will hand over the originals.”
I nod. “Fair enough.”
Chapter Ten
Callie
I drink my beer slowly. I’m not a big drinker. Truth be told, I prefer Diet Coke to just about anything. I shake my head when Laney comes by asking if we want another.
“Yeah, I’m done too,” Rory says.
“I should get home. Apparently I have a big day tomorrow.”
Rory smiles. “Not every day you go after your dream job.”
I scoff. “It’s hardly my dream job, but without a law school education or a license to practice, it’s the best I can do—at least the best in Snow Creek, Colorado.”
“You’ll get it.”
I scoff again. “We don’t even know if there’s a job to get.”
“Make there be a job,” Rory says. “You can convince anyone of anything.”
“I think Jade Steel probably has the upper hand. I may be able to win an argument with Mom and Dad, but Jade’s been an attorney for twenty-five years. Besides, I’m not going over there to argue.”
“Nope. You’re going over there to—” Rory shifts her gaze to the staircase and waggles her eyebrows. “Here come the Steel boys, back from whatever they were doing up there with Brendan.”
“God, sis, you make everything sound dirty.”
Indeed, it’s Rory’s gift. She can make any sentence sound dirty just with her tone of voice. Another reason the men of Snow Creek all held a vigil when she came out. Although, really, it was because of her boobs.
I look over my shoulder…and then instantly regret it.
Donny Steel meets my gaze. Man, those hazel eyes! He’s dressed in Levi’s and a white button-down, which accents his tanned skin nicely. He’s slightly darker in skin and hair from his brother, and the effect is… Well, my flesh is heating.
He walks toward our table, his gaze never leaving mine.
“Good evening, Pike women,” he says nonchalantly.
“Hey, Donny.” Rory nods. “Dale.”
“My brother and I would love to buy you two lovelies a drink.”
Rory stands. “I’m just leaving, but I’m sure Callie can be convinced.”
“Actually, I—”
“Sit, please,” Donny says. “In fact, I’m pretty sure my big brother has a wife to get home to.”
“I do.” Dale nods. “But I’m your ride, remember?”
“I could probably talk Callie into driving me home to the ranch. It’s not that far out of your way, right?”
I don’t speak. I’m stunned. Sure, we hung out at the wedding reception, flirted big-time, but we didn’t even kiss. I sure wasn’t expecting to see him tonight. I figured I’d go to his mom’s office tomorrow, beg for a job, and possibly run into him. Maybe he’d offer to take me to lunch, and I’d have to break my date with Rory.
“Where’s Raine?” Dale asks Rory.
“In Denver with her parents.”
“Stay, then,” Dale says. “Let my brother buy you a drink.”
Rory laughs. “I’m done for the evening, but thanks. I’ll hitch home with you, if you don’t mind, Dale.”
“No problem,” Dale says.
“Great. See you, sis.” Rory heads toward the exit.
O-kay. Now what? Three’s a crowd, but I’m suddenly squirming at the thought of being alone with Mr. Steel the younger.
“Tell you what,” Donny says. “If you let me buy you a drink, I’ll let you drive me home.”
“Tempting,” I finally say, “but it’s getting late.”
“It’s ten forty-five,” he says.
“Don, Rory and I are out of here,” Dale says.
“See? I need a ride home, Callie.”
“Fine. Let’s have a drink.” It’s not like we can go anywhere. He’s staying with his parents, and I’m staying with mine. This isn’t going to lead anywhere except with both of us horny.
Dale follows Rory toward the exit, and Donny takes her seat. “What are you drinking? Beer?”
“I had a beer. Now I’m drinking Diet Coke.”
“Caffeine’ll keep you up.”
“Are you kidding? I’m so addicted to caffeine that I sleep like a baby.”
He laughs. “Me too, actually.” He signals Laney. “Two Diet Cokes over here, please.”
“You’re not drinking?”
“Don’t tell my brother or my father, but I’m not really into wine or bourbon.”
“What’s your pleasure, then?”
He lifts his eyebrows.
Did I really just say those words? I was talking about his drink of choice, and he thinks I’m flirting.
Not a huge deal, but I’m usually not quite so overt.
“For now?” he says. “Diet Coke. Later? We’ll see.”
Not that I’m averse to having a quickie with Donny Steel, but again, where does he think we’ll go?
“Good enough,” I say simply.
“So I’m back for good. Have you heard?”
I nod. “Mom told me. Your mom invited us all to your big welcome home bash tomorrow night.”
He laughs. “My mom will take any excuse to have one of her bashes.”
