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“Sooo, you don’t know much about ranching,” Preston said.
“Not a thing,” she replied.
Colby leaned against the window and gazed out. “This ranch is a wonderful place. It’s made your family a lot of money over the years, working cattle and horses and even a few pigs. Your grandparents were so proud of this land,” he said, not looking at her.
The man had lost his flirtatious manner and was now almost remote, even a little cold.
“Sadly, I know none of the family history. My father never mentioned this place. I knew he grew up in Texas, but he always said he would never step back into this hell hole.”
Turning from the window, Colby shook his head.
“It’s not a hell hole,” he said. “It’s a great place to live and work. A wonderful place to raise a family.”
Preston gave Colby a strange glance.
“Where are you guys from?”
“Raised here all my life. My family owns the ranch a mile down the road. We’ve been here since the beginning. I’ll never leave,” Preston said.
She smiled and thought about how she couldn’t wait to leave Connecticut and was thankful for the job she had in New York City. But then growing up with a very strict father had not been easy.
Colby had not replied. He hadn’t told her about coming to Blessing or if he’d lived here forever.
“I guess there could be worse places to grow up,” she said. Glancing down, she frowned. “Did you guys put my laptop case upstairs?”
“That flowered bag?” Colby asked.
“Yes, that one,” she responded. “Tomorrow I have to check in and do some things for work.”
“Yes, ma’am. It’s up in the bedroom. We put you in the master bedroom.”
“Thank you,” she said and then glanced at the door and back to them. She’d been up since five this morning to catch her flight and then the two-hour drive from San Antonio. She wanted to eat a quick bite and crawl into bed.
Tomorrow would be soon enough to learn more about her family and the ranch they owned. Even these two cowboys.
“Nathan had the house cleaned and there should be fresh sheets on the bed,” Preston told her.
The man he mentioned was the attorney she’d met this afternoon. They were going to sit and talk in the next few days. But first, she wanted to learn as much as she could about her grandparents. She wished there was someone who could tell her why her father no longer acknowledged his parents. But she would have to wait and see.
“We better let you go and get some rest. If you need anything at all, just call us,” Colby said.
“And how would I do that if I don’t have your number?”
A grin spread across his face and she knew he was thinking he was going to get her number. She was too tired to fight him and just as soon as she left this two-bit town, she’d be blocking him.
The man handed her his cell phone. “Call me.”
She glanced up and frowned at him as she took the phone. “I’ll give you my number, but I’m not going to have dinner with you. I’m not going to let you pour beer all over me, and no, we won’t be sleeping together.”
Preston slapped a hand over his mouth, failing to stifle a gut-busting laugh.
“Strictly business,” Colby said with a straight face and a nod. “And be sure to get Preston’s number, as well.”
After they had exchanged cell numbers, she opened the door and swept her arm through the air toward outside. “Goodnight, gentlemen. It’s been a long day. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”
She was certain they were anxious to learn her plans for the ranch. In two weeks’ time, she hoped to have this place sold and be driving the rental car back to San Antonio where she would catch a plane back to civilizations. Her ordinary, boring world, where the men wore suits, not jeans and boots or had arms that bulged with muscles.
“Goodnight, ma’am,” Preston said at the door.
