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“Stepfather,”Cin growled out of the blue, making everyone look at her.
“What?” Wanda frowned at her.
“You said my father did all this. My father is in New York. He…” She pointed at Garth. “is my stepfather.”
“Well, of course, he is, honey, but he loves you like a daughter. Don’t you, Garth?”
“Yes, Wanda. I love her like a daughter.”
Rhett fisted his hands on the table because he’d knock the smile off the man’s face if he didn’t. He glanced at Cin to see her clenching her jaw and he knew she was miserable being here.
“So, what is it you do, Rhett?” Garth asked him as he stabbed a ribeye with his fork and put it on his plate.
“I’m the ranch manager at Moore Cattle Company in Clifton.”
“I’ve heard of that ranch. Big operation.”
“Yes, sir.”
“How long have you been there?” Wanda smiled at him.
“Fifteen years. Since I was eighteen.”
“And that’s what you want to do for the rest of your life?” Garth sat back in his chair.
Rhett set his fork down, sat back and folded his arms.
“I don’t see why not. I make good money, and I’ll have plenty to retire on.”
“Maybe. It’s tough work and injuries happen.”
“Yes, they do, but as I said, I have money.”
“And so does Lucinda,” Garth said quietly.
Rhett sat forward. “I don’t know about that. I’m not with her for her money.”
“Did you know her great-grandmother not only left her that house, she also left her close to three million dollars.”
Rhett heard Cin gasp, but he didn’t take his eyes off Garth.
“And?” he asked in a low tone.
Garth stared at him for a few seconds then laughed. He picked up his steak knife and pointed it at him.
“I have a feeling you’re a tough man, Rhett. I’m just messing with you.”
“That’s something you might not want to do.” Rhett stared into Garth’s eyes until the man looked away from him. This day could not end soon enough.
****
After dinner, Lucinda carried the plates to the kitchen and placed them in the sink. When she turned around, she ran into Garth, and he wrapped his fingers around her arm.
She jerked her arm from him and stepped away.
“Oh, come on, Cinda.” He grinned.
“If you don’t stop trying to put your hands on me, I will make you regret it.”
