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"Oh hell," she says and stomps away. "I'm messing this all up."
It's strange to see Boone act this way, like she’s uncertain and a little nervous. She's usually totally composed and confident in whatever she's doing. Even if she's going down in flames, she does it with her head held high.
I walk over and grab her arm. "Would you please tell me what's going on?"
"You're the best party planner I know. And the one person I trust to be in business with me. So, you know, will you?"
"Will I what?"
"Stay here. Live at North Starr Ranch and help me run The Love Knot."
Stunned. I simply stare at her.
"Come on," she says. "The barbecue on the 4th is my big promo opportunity for The Love Knot and I need you to make them both successful. I know you've probably got a dozen ideas for things to do for this place and for the barbecue on the 4th but you've been too polite to say anything. But I can tell from the look in your eye that you're tempted. Just think about it."
Boone spins in a circle with her arms outstretched. "We'd have this whole place, plus an acre or two outside, and a generous budget to create a party and wedding business to bring in people from all over the US and make a tidy profit so I can rub my brothers' noses in it. I'd call it a win-win-win."
She's right. My head has been spinning with ideas since she started giving me the outline of her plans for the barbecue the first night I arrived. After I'd spent the afternoon fucking her brother, Adam. But let's not think about that at the moment.
Shockingly, while we've been party planning is the only time Adam hasn't been on my mind.
Adam and massive amounts of guilt.
"Please," Boone says. "Please say you'll at least think about it."
"All right," I reply before I have a chance to be sensible. "I'll think about it."
* * *
ADAM
After fucking Kit on the sofa in her room, I spend the next couple days hiding out. Avoiding Kit and everyone else in my family.
That doesn't mean I haven't been keeping tabs on her, though.
I try to bury myself in work, but the next thing I know, I'm on social media looking up Kit d'Winter. I learn her father is a business executive and her mother is a socialite. She's got an older sister who appears to be quite successful, running a financial services business and raising a family. The kids look cute, though I wonder if they’re ever allowed to play in the dirt. I suspect not.
Kit hasn't put anything on social media since she got here. Several people, including a guy named Peter Brinkman, have posted messages to her, asking when she's going to return.
I check out Peter. He's handsome. Degree from a good school. Job at his father's company, which appears to be linked to Kit's father's business.
My pulse speeds up as I stare at him and his perfect preppy life.
That's the kind of guy Kit’s meant to be with.
Not me. Some cowboy who barely got out of high school. Doesn't mean I'm not good at running the ranch, I had an excellent teacher. My father.
But, I don't know Van Gogh from Van Kamps pork and beans. The last book I read was a magazine down at Herb's barber shop while I was waiting my turn for a trim.
I blow up the photo of Peter Brinkman. Not a hair out of place. He looks a hell of a lot more comfortable in a suit and tie than I ever will.
Obviously, he's more her type.
Deacon stopped by earlier today and had a conversation like the one I had with Caleb. Obviously, he's noticed the appeal of Kit, too. I gave him the same answer I gave Caleb.
So, in addition to breaking the one rule that's most important to my baby sister, I'm gaslighting my brothers.
That's man of the year type behavior right there.
