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“I know. I’m just kidding with you.” He slapped me on the shoulder and stood up. “Anyway, I better go check on Lucy to make sure she’s not still packing. You’d think we were going away for a month and not just two days.”
I chuckled. “You know women.”
“Not as well as you, though.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, you must know all about them from watching The Bachelorette and all.”
“Ha ha, very funny. And sure, I’ll do it.”
“You’ll do what?
“I’ll be your best man.”
“Oh, I didn’t know it was a question. I was telling you.”
I stood up and gave him a big hug. “I’m proud of you.”
“I know.” He grinned. “And seriously, I understand that you’re not ready, especially after Brittany. And I understand that you feel like the weight of the Hamilton family is on your shoulders.”
“Horseshoe Ranch is in trouble, you know that. Mom and Dad . . . I don’t know why they’re downplaying it. We’re in serious trouble.”
“I know,” Austin said softly. “I’m working to take care of it, okay? There are seven of us Hamilton boys—we’re going to take care of it. We have the capital, but I know long-term everything isn’t sustainable.”
“I know we will, but I just feel a lot of pressure. I don’t have time to think about relationships or anything like that right now.”
“Okay, if you say so, brother.” Austin stared at me for a few seconds. I could tell he wanted to add something, but I didn’t want to hear it. We weren’t into that kumbaya moments.
“I do say so, thank you very much.”
“You do say what?” Lucy asked as she walked into the living room, Olivia behind her.
My eyes caught Olivia’s, and we stared at each other for a few seconds. She had big, beautiful brown eyes and long dark brown hair. She looked a little bit like an Italian goddess, with curves in all the right places. I could feel myself warming; she had a radiance that filled every room she entered. I wasn’t a corny guy, but she made the air around her seem sweeter.
“Hi, guys.” Olivia gave us a small smile and a wave. I noticed that her nails were painted a soft pink. She was so girly and dainty; not the right fit for a ranch at all.
“Hi, how’s it going?” I tried to act cool and failed miserably. I was a grown man, but I felt like a gawky fourteen-year-old around her. She took my breath away every time I saw her. I hadn’t even known for her very long. But the first time I’d seen her on video chat when Lucy was talking to her, I was blown away by her beauty and vivacious smile. And now here she was in the flesh, living in my house, sleeping in one of the bedrooms in my house. All I could think about at night was sneaking into that bedroom and seeing what she wore to bed, because she’d been on my mind every single night since she’d been there.
Not that I would ever act on that urge. I didn’t need the drama that would ensue if I slept with Olivia. I’d be in big trouble—with Lucy, with Austin, and with my Mom and Dad.
I had bigger fish to fry, and dating wasn’t in the cards right now.
“Well, I’ll see you guys later. I have some work to do in the stables.” I gave Olivia a polite smile and tried to ignore the grin on Austin’s face as I walked out of the room. I knew I was being a little rude, but I always felt discombobulated when I was around Olivia, and I didn’t need Austin teasing me in front of her. Maybe I should have waited for her to answer my question, but I didn’t like the way Austin was looking at me. As if he knew my deep, dark secret. Yes, Olivia was sexy and yes, she took my breath away. But even if she begged me to sleep with her, I’d have to say no. Though every part of my body would want to say yes.
The simple fact of the matter was that I was in no position to get involved with anyone, let alone someone like Olivia.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Olivia
“Lucy Kensington, you’re crazy, and now you’ve made me crazy,” I mumbled under my breath. My best friend wasn’t there to hear me complaining as I gazed out of the window at the expansive mountain range in the distance. The evening sky was a vibrant dark blue with purple undertones, and I had to admit that it was gorgeous. Not that I’d like to be out there by myself. The trees in the distance made me think of all the hidden wildlife that lurked in their midst. I wouldn’t be caught dead venturing outside at night by myself. I continued to brush my hair, even though my hand was now aching from gripping the rubber brush so tightly. I backed away from the window and headed toward the mirror.
“Ninety-nine, one hundred.” I brushed my hair in front of the mirror and stared at my reflection. My face looked unrecognizable without all the makeup I usually wore. Even my clothes seemed odd. I was wearing a navy blue T-shirt with the words “Big Sky State” in large white font and a pair of faded blue jeans. I hadn’t even known that Montana was known as the Big Sky State until a week ago, when I’d arrived to visit Lucy.
And now here I was, on a ranch in the middle of nowhere Montana, waiting to go to dinner with a family I’d just met. The Hamiltons were a large and friendly crowd, but this was going to be my first meal with them by myself, and I felt awkward. Like standing in the middle of the grocery store with your pants falling down awkward. In front of your minister or high school principal.
I knew I shouldn’t feel self-conscious, but I did. I didn’t know these people, and they didn’t know me. The entire situation was ridiculous. Lucy had come for a visit, thinking she was going to marry the eldest Hamilton brother, Beau, but had fallen in love with his brother Austin instead. It had all been a part of the plan of the matriarch of the family, Amelia Hamilton, because she wanted grandkids.
