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Ruby smiled, thinking that she needed more friends. She’d essentially locked herself away in her cottage since Lucas had died, refinishing floors and taking down walls. If she wasn’t doing that, she was working. She had almost no social life. That had to change. “Oh, don’t worry about it. I was just taking it all in. It’s such a beautiful store.”
“Well, aren’t you sweet? I’m Morgan Grandin. This is my shop. What can I help you with today?”
Ruby froze for a moment.Morgan Grandin.If she had the family members straight, Morgan was the youngest of the Grandin siblings. “It’s nice to meet you, Morgan. I’ve actually been out on your family’s property. I’m a surveyor.” Ruby saw no reason to hide from this fact. In her experience, it was best to be open and honest with people. It could pay big dividends.
Morgan’s eyes went wide as she seemed to make the connection. “Oh, okay.” She nodded eagerly and wagged her finger. “I heard about you. I think you met my older brother, Vic, when you were out there. He was out on his horse and saw you.”
“Yes. I was finishing up my survey.”
“And you found nothing, right?”
Ruby hesitated to answer. She not only worked for Heath, she liked him quite a lot. Hell, she was about to be his date for New Year’s Eve. Would divulging this information betray him in any way? Her immediate tendency was to protect him, however short their acquaintance had been. “The survey was inconclusive.”
“Ah. I’m guessing you were hired by Heath Thurston?” Morgan reached out and straightened a blouse on a hanger. “What’s he really like? I can’t get a good read on him. Everyone says he’s a jerk, including my fiancé. But I really like Nolan, Heath’s twin. He and my sister Chelsea got married before Christmas and they’re ridiculously happy. You should see the way he looks at her. You’d think she hung the moon. Identical twins are basically the same people, aren’t they?”
Ruby was having a hard time keeping up. Morgan really liked to talk, and apparently she didn’t have any qualms about discussing potentially sensitive matters in front of strangers. “I’ve never met Nolan, so I’m not sure I’m qualified to chime in on that. I do think twins can have different personalities. Especially if they’ve been through different things.” Heath had mentioned that Nolan left Royal when he was eighteen and had stayed away until recently. She surmised that the brothers had grown apart even more during that time because Heath had hinted at efforts to mend their relationship. Her gut told her that Heath and Nolan were not identical in every regard. She’d have to assess that when she finally met Nolan on New Year’s Eve.
Morgan tilted her head to one side. “I’m sorry. I’m rambling when I should be helping you. Are you in for something special today?”
“Actually, yes. I need a dress for New Year’s Eve. I’m going to the party at the TCC.”
“Oh! Nice!” Morgan’s face lit up as she eyed Ruby from head to toe. “Girl, I’ve got a couple of things that would look amazing on you. Come on.” With a wave of her hand, she invited Ruby to follow her back toward the front of the store.
In the corner, right in front of one of the large windows overlooking the street, was a sizable section of special occasion dresses. Ruby wasn’t sure where to start, so she was glad Morgan was there to help her. “What do you suggest?”
“Something sparkly, of course. You’ve got to sparkle on New Year’s Eve. It’s like a rule.” Morgan pulled out a silver-and-white sequined dress with a plunging neckline. It seemed like a huge leap from what Ruby was currently wearing—a pair of jeans, cowboy boots and yet another of her cozy sweaters.
“I’m not sure I feel like a sparkly person. At least, not now. Maybe something a little more subdued?”
Morgan shot Ruby a questioning glance. “We live in Royal, Texas, honey. You’re going to the Texas Cattleman’s Club on New Year’s Eve. They might not let you in the door if you don’t sparkle. Sparkly is the order of the day. Plus, you put on one of these dresses and you will see how amazing you look and you’ll be ready to hand over your credit card. Trust me.”
Ruby took in a deep breath. “Okay. But maybe not white. Maybe something darker?”
“Want something a little more mysterious?”
“I’d like it better if I wasn’t visible from space.”
Morgan laughed. “Got it.” She flipped through the rack of dresses. “How about this?” She pulled out a deep emerald green full-length gown. It had skinny straps and the same plunging neckline of the previous dress, but Ruby felt like this one was a little more doable.
Ruby reached out and touched the fabric, which was surprisingly soft and silky in her hands. The sparkle came from threads woven into the cloth, rather than sequins. “I think this could work.”
“Perfect. Let’s try it on.”
Ruby followed Morgan to the dressing room with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She hoped she was up to wearing this dress. It would make her night with Heath far more fun if she could pull it off. After their false start the other night, she really wanted to show him that she could be comfortable in her own skin and completely on board with him touching hers.
Heath had most meetings with his lawyer, Albert Cortez, at Albert’s office in downtown Royal. Albert always said it was better to discuss delicate matters in person, where all parties could be more open about their opinions and no one had to worry about a paper trail. After Heath’s chat with his brother yesterday, the question of whether to keep Albert on retainer seemed even more urgent to answer. Heath had to make a choice one way or the other.
“Heath, come on in. Have a seat.” Albert eagerly waved Heath into his office. He was a stout man with a thick mustache that reminded Heath of a scrubbing brush. Heath had known him forever. Albert had been friends with his parents and was a strong tie to the past. “What can I help you with today? Have you made a decision?” Albert had a warm personality, but he didn’t engage in much chitchat. It was always right down to business.
Heath parked himself in one of the leather armchairs opposite Albert’s desk. “I’m afraid I don’t know. Not until we talk about the one detail I think you missed.”
Albert cocked a thick eyebrow at Heath and plopped down into his seat. “I’m all ears.”
“It’s the date on the original oil survey on the Grandin and Lattimore properties. Did you not notice that it was completed one year before my mother was given those oil rights?”
Deep creases formed between Albert’s eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Ruby Bennett, the woman who did my survey, told me. I haven’t seen the original survey. I only heard about the results, and I heard about them from you.”
