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I purse my lips and again look at Connor, but he’s studying Rose now, like a bug under a microscope. The earlier infatuation I’d seen on his face, the cheerful charm he usually bears, is gone. I can almost read his thoughts now, too. We’re all wondering what Rose Winterbourne’s deal is, really.
He and I are going to need to have a little sit-down on this before it goes too far. It’s obvious that Katherine’s infatuated with her charming grandkid—not that I can blame her.
I’m having an increasingly difficult time finding excuses not to visit Katherine’s property every day, if only to sneak a long look at Rose that would keep me up half the night imagining her writhing beneath me.
But I would sit down privately with Connor, not in front of Katherine. I have no interest in embarrassing Rose or getting into it with her grandmother in the middle of the Staked Steak.
“You’re absolutely right,” I concede, leaving the matter at peace for the moment.
I can almost feel the collective outrush of breath between the grandmother and granddaughter.
“Excellent, it’s settled then,” Katherine coos, clapping her hands. “Can we get to the business of ordering, then? I really am starving!”
“Me too,” Connor agrees. “I didn’t even get a chance to eat with my date. My appetite pretty much died when she asked me what the difference was between the eight- and sixteen-ounce ribeye.” We all stare at him expectantly, and he hoots with laughter. “That’s exactly the look I had on my face, too,” he whoops, slapping his knee. “It’s a shame, though. She was pretty enough. Not as pretty as present company, of course.”
He winks openly at Rose, and she flushes, sneaking a glance at me to see if I notice. I pretend I don’t as I read the menu.
“I could go for a steak myself.” I keep my tone light as I cast Rose another furtive look.
“You need me to help you with the descriptors?” Connor teases, and I roll my eyes.
“I’ve got this,” I tell him.
Rose titters.
I lick my lips again and wonder what we’re going to do with this young woman who has sailed into our lives unannounced. I know what I want to do with her… desperately. Once again, I push those thoughts aside.
If you’re up to no good, we’ll figure it out,I vow silently.
* * *
Connor drives me home after dinner. I spent the entire meal sneaking glances at Rose, searching for some sign of subterfuge or malice on her face, but as far as I could see, she appeared to be excited about the prospect of the upcoming challenge, even though Katherine skillfully kept the topic away from the upgrades.
My neighbor and lifelong friend doesn’t say anything until we’re on the road. “What did you think about that?” he finally asks as we cruise away from the restaurant, the dinner rolling around uncomfortably in my gut.
“I know, right?” I laugh tersely. “I don’t know what to think. It feels off somehow.”
“Hudson was such a dick,” Connor snickers. “I think he’s going to try to put a stop to it.”
He sounds strangely pleased. I eye him curiously. Hints of red catch in his hair as we pass under streetlamps, his dark eyes intensely set on the road ahead. I can almost see the wheels of his head turning as his hands curl over the steering wheel.
“I don’t think Hudson will be able to put a stop to it,” I respond. “After all, it’s still her property to manage as she sees fit.”
The sentiment hit home.
Hudson and I both have a stake in the BB. With our parents both signing over the ranches to us, we own our properties outright. Keeping the Bonnie Belle is a blackhole, financially speaking. Katherine Winterbourne is the only reason we have not split or sold the property already. As long as the old lady exists, we have to honor our promise to keep her land.
But is the ranch really worth saving?
I do not entertain the secondary issue lurking about with far more frequency lately, either. We might not have much of a choice if MVP—the ruthless real estate development firm—continues to poke around like they are.
“And I suppose that she’ll be dipping into Katherine’s accounts to pay for all the tools and supplies?” Connor says, bringing me back inside the vehicle.
“I wondered the same thing,” I agree.
“We need to keep a close eye on her, ensure she keeps receipts,” Connor says slowly.
“You never found anything else out about Rose, I guess?” I ask stupidly, knowing that he would have told me if he had.
