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I’d hired her when I couldn’t stomach my actions in putting Harrington Ranch in debt anymore. There were too many yes men around me, so I reached out to Luna because of her outspoken and fearless nature. I recalled telling her I needed someone who wouldn’t just agree with me but challenge me when necessary.
Luna wasn’t one to mince words. She spoke her mind freely in this ranch, and I let her.
I sighed, putting down the spoon.
“I’m not working with Richard.”
Not anymore.
The part I’d said out loud wasn’t the full truth, but Luna didn’t need to know that. From the look on her face, she wasn’t buying it.
I stared at the window and then at the counter.
“Things with Anna are… complicated.”
Her expression hardened. She shook her head.
“Complicated or not, you can’t just play with her feelings. I’ve seen things, Max. I know more than you think. Don’t treat Anna, the girl you once loved, like this. Especially now that y’all are getting close again.”
“I’m not trying to hurt her. I’m just trying to make things right.”
She studied me for a moment, her gaze penetrating.
“When I was young and watched you sneak off the ranch during the holidays to always play with Anna, I was jealous of you two, you know. I wanted to have a man who would give me that kind of attention. I felt you genuinely loved her.”
“I...”
“I’ve seen you with her recently too. It looks like you care about her. But if you keep going down this path… if you’re not honest with her, you’re going to lose her. I think you know that.”
I ran my hand through my hair.
I knew what she meant. But if I was honest with Anna, I could lose her too. I hoped to change that possibility tonight.
“It’s not as simple as it looks.”
She opened her mouth to respond. The sound of a car pulling up outside cut her off, so she glanced at the window.
“I’ll see who it is.”
Then she turned and left the kitchen.
I stared at the simmering pot, willing my thoughts not to think about what Luna had said.
I’d already made up my mind to be honest with Anna no matter how difficult it might be. No more secrets, no more lies. I would come clean to her. Lay all my cards on the table.
It was the only way to build something real with her.
It would also help me be the man I wanted to be, not the one my father had tried to mold me into.
I stirred the pot once more, brought it down, and started preparing pecan pie for dessert. Its rich, nutty flavor would be a perfect end to the meal. I needed to prepare the pie crust, mix the filling, and bake it.
Luna re-entered the kitchen with Anna in tow.
Anna’s presence instantly made me smile. Her simple blouse accentuated her figure, and her jeans hugged her in all the right places.
“Looks like you’re making quite the feast,” she said.
I chuckled.
