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“Dad had a hard time making Mother happy some days,” Blake said. “I’m beginning to wonder if we’re meant to marry. What if we can’t find anyone who pleases us? Not many women like living out on a ranch in the middle of nowhere. They think because we now have money, we should be jetting around somewhere. But there is nothing like the peaceful sound of silence out in the fields.”
They all murmured their agreement. It was true. It only took Adrian a couple of days in the big city before he was ready to return to the ranch where it was quiet.
“I will say that you and Madison made a mighty nice-looking couple,” Cody said. “And she grew up around here. It’s why she wants to return. I think you should seriously consider her.”
That wasn’t going to happen. All he wanted was for her to be his fake date for the rodeo season. Once that was over, then they would part ways and she would have her law practice and he would go back to working the ranch business.
Somehow he had to get his brothers’ attention off Madison.
“But what if they broke up?” Evan cut in. “Then Susan would be upset, and she might quit. Who would cook our dinner, do our laundry, and make those great cookies she bakes? Sorry, but I’m not willing to lose Susan over Madison.”
Even though mischievous, Evan was always the practical one. And food was very important to him.
“Madison will be my escort until after the rodeo season and then we’ll separate as friends. She’s doing me a favor and I’m doing her one as well. It’s a business arrangement, nothing more. So don’t be worried about us breaking up or losing her mother as our savior.”
“I ate enough crap while in college. She cooks good meals,” Evan said, proving Adrian’s point.
A chuckle came from Garth. “I think Cody is right. It’s time you found yourself another wife and Madison is perfect. Take a chance. I’m going to bet you a new colt that by the end of the ball season you’ll be dating seriously. Anyone want to take me up on my bet?”
Certainly, they would not be dating. He could win this bet.
“I’ll take you up on it,” Adrian said. He really would like one of Dakota’s colts from his stallion. The horse was magnificent. “I’ll bet you a trip to Vegas that we’re not dating by the end of the last ball.”
“You’re on,” Dakota said. “As long as it’s during championship week.”
“That’s not until December,” Adrian said.
“So, I can wait. Because I’m going to win this challenge,” he said.
“What makes you say that?” Adrian asked, wanting to know what to look out for.
The man laughed. “I’m not telling you, but I think the two of you are perfect for one another. Sometimes the universe delivers what you need. Just like that lucky Powerball ticket. We needed a break and we received one. You need a good woman and I think the universe just delivered.”
“That’s bullshit,” Cody replied. “Total bullshit, nonsense.”
Dakota shrugged. “Think what you want, but I believe Madison is the perfect woman for Adrian.”
This was making him uneasy. Maybe he should cancel their next date. He’d had fun at the country club event, but he wasn’t looking for anything serious.
“Are you certain she’s not after your money like the others?” Cody asked. “Maybe she’s just smarter about the way she’s going about this.”
It was terrible how they all now questioned whether someone was just being their friend because they had money.
“She’s a lawyer,” Blake said. “She’s probably making a million a year on her own.”
They rode over the top of the hill and there were their cattle grazing down below. It was time to put an end to this nonsense and get to work. The herd was all together until roundup in the spring. But until this cold weather pattern passed, they needed to be closer.
“Damn, we’re lucky men,” Garth said, gazing out at the rolling pastures. “Our great-grandparents did us well.”
“Yes, until that damn twister struck,” Evan said. Their parents’ deaths had been hard on all of them, but Evan took it the hardest. He’d been extremely close to their mother and finding her body beneath the house ruins had been tough.
Since then, Adrian had made a rule that every house built on their property had a storm shelter. The house might be destroyed, but if they were down in the storm shelter, they hopefully would survive.
“When is the Cattleman’s Ball?” Dakota asked, obviously still thinking about the bet they just made instead of the job at hand.
“Not until the end of February. Hopefully all this cold weather will be done by then,” Adrian said.
The ball was held each year in Fort Worth. And while Adrian could get hotel rooms for them both, he really didn’t like spending the night there. He’d just drive his truck into Fort Worth and then come home. He’d need to check with Madison. By the end of February, she might be living in Oakdale.
