Washing her face in cold water, getting dressed, even a cup of hot tea didn’t help her throw off the lingering effects of the night before.
Thank goodness she had a full day today, getting ready for her usual Sunday morning brunch with her sister, going into the office, reviewing the week’s financials from the three Encore branches.
After dressing in shorts and a tank top, she whipped up a quiche and popped it in the oven.While she waited, she opened a bottle of sparkling wine, grabbed a bottle of orange juice, pulled out a carton of raspberries then made herself a mimosa.Maybe the bubbly would help her banish thoughts of Cade Donovan.Or, if not, at least move them to the side so that he occupied fewer of her brain cells.
Before she was quite ready for company, her sister Zoe knocked on the door, called out a greeting then used her key to let herself in without waiting for a response.
Sofia had rarely been happier to see anyone.Over the years, having Sunday brunch together had become a ritual.They’d talk about work, catch up on all the personal things they didn’t get to discuss during the week.
By nature, Sofia was a family person, so her travel schedule was a challenge.She would love to spend more time in Corpus Christi, especially since one of their younger half-sisters now had six-month-old twins.This connection with Zoe helped sustain Sofia.
“So, what’s he like?”Zoe demanded.
“What?Who?”
“You know who.”Zoe plopped down her purse then slammed the door behind her.There was nothing subtle about her younger sis.“Avery said Cade Donovan was heading right for you when you shooed her ass out the door.”
“I didn’t—”
“Diversionary tactics will not work.I’m on to you.”
“How do you know Cade?”she countered.
“I don’t.Not really.I saw him in town a couple of years ago.”Zoe gave her a quick hug before sliding onto one of the stools across the granite bar from Sofia.“He’s one of those people you know on sight, even if you’ve never met them.Well, I suppose all the Donovans are.They’re in the society pages often enough.Or at least they used to be, a few years ago.”
Again without waiting for an invitation, she splashed a dollop of orange juice into a flute then filled the rest with the sparkling wine.If Sofia had been pouring, she would have used considerably more juice than Zoe.
“Come on.Tell me all.”Zoe picked up a plump raspberry and plopped it into her glass.“Avery said he looked edible.”
Edible was a fitting word.Cade had been unlike any other man at the reception.It went far beyond his good looks.When he entered a room, he dominated it.
But she wasn’t going to tell her sister about her haunted fantasies and dreams.
“When I saw him, he reminded me a bit of Mr.Rochester.”
“Mr.Rochester?”Sofia repeated.
“You know, fromJane Eyre?”
ThatMr.Rochester.
“It wasn’t long after his father’s death.He didn’t say much, and he struck me as being a little lost.In his own world.”
While Sofia was pragmatic, Zoe could be a bit of a romantic.Most of the time that worked well for their business partnership.
Sofia checked to be sure the oven timer was set then picked up her drink.“I’m meeting with him Tuesday to talk about the ranch’s centennial celebration.”
“Get out.”Zoe put down her flute with a tiny thud.“Seriously?”
“Erin Donovan, that’s his half-sister, was talking to Lara about the event.Lara mentioned that Encore has a Corpus Christi office.So in answer to your question… What’s he like?A shrewd businessman.”Sofia looked across at her sister.“He may not know anything about parties, but he asked for terms and a discount.”
“He’s not a corporation.Wait…” Zoe stopped and frowned.“Come to think of it, he probably is.How many people are we talking about?”
“According to Erin, about a thousand.”
“At the ranch?Or are they going to rent someplace?Maybe the rodeo grounds?”
“They’re planning to hold it at the Running Wind.”
