“That’s not what I’m talking about. Don’t get me wrong. Good friends are important. But so are good lovers.” Her gaze sharpened. “You know what? I’ve put a new thought in your head. I can see it in your eyes.”
“Absolutely not.” Could Auntie Kat tell she was lying? Of course she could. “I just?—”
“I planted a seed.” She clapped her hands together. “My work here is done. I’ll be off. I need to prepare for my visit to the water hole.” Rising, she snatched up her coat and purse. “Thanks for the consultation. Send me a bill.”
“Not happening.”
“Bill me.” She shrugged into her coat and pointed a finger at her. “I can afford it.” She whisked out the door, leaving the faint scent of her pricey perfume.
But it was certainly true that she could afford to pay. She was a Bridger, a member of the most prosperous family in town, maybe in the whole county. Their history dated back to the Montana gold rush of the 1860s. Instead of mining for gold, Jeremiah Bridger had sold mining equipment.
While the miners’ incomes were uncertain, Jeremiah’s was steady. He invested his earnings in land near a scattering of buildings that ultimately became Mustang Valley. Future generations followed the financial wisdom of their forward-thinking ancestor, and the family’s fortunes had continued to grow.
The Bridger Foundation that Spence had created thirty years ago supported many projects, but the major ones were a wild horse rescue operation called Hearts & Hooves, a mobile medical unit staffed by Tracy’s parents, and a forest regeneration project.
Raquel was the CEO now and Adam was her trusty sidekick. Mila could have shared the position with him, but she’d decided to stick with Hearts & Hooves, serving as its administrator and appointing Claudette as marketing director.
Tracy opened an app on her computer and sent a note to her virtual assistant to invoice Katharine Bridger for an hour at the standard rate. She hated charging family members anything, and Auntie Kat was family.
So was Mila, who’d asked for some revisions to the adoption contract for Hearts & Hooves. It was next on her to-do list. She opened the document and set an alarm for 11:45.
Her training in contract law made her useful to the Bridgers, which was ninety percent of the reason she’d chosen it over criminal law. She’d also had her eye on becoming the MustangValley Town Council’s legal eagle. She’d assumed Adam would eventually run for mayor.
Her career goals had assured she’d be working with him, either for the Bridger Foundation or the town council. But that was logical, right? She liked him. They got along. Or they had, until she’d temporarily lost her mind.
Whatever had motivated her to kiss him must still be driving the bus. Was she in the same mental state as Mila had been last year? After Mila’s painful breakup, she’d quickly latched onto a guy who’d recently moved to town. What a disaster. Thank goodness he’d left.
Adam had labeled that a rebound relationship. Was it? She did a quick online search. Yep, fit the definition. And such matchups were not recommended. Looked like a person should wait a few months to a year before getting into another relationship. Ayear?
But she could see the reasoning behind waiting a few months. She’d made out with Adam eight days after being dumped. No wonder he was worried about a rebound. She could be using him to sooth her battered ego. Not cool.
None of the experts recommended seducing a good friend eight days after a breakup. Instead she should be practicing self love and self analysis for a few months rather than expecting a man to make her feel better about herself.
She’d tell him that at lunch. No doubt he’d be relieved to hear she completely agreed with his opinion on the matter.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Adam arrived at the stately Victorian by 11:30 to make sure he got there ahead of Tracy. He had a couple of suggestions for the crew and his fixation on Trace could make him forget to say anything.
“Hey, boss!” Angie walked out on the porch as he swung down from his truck. “Figured that was your F-350 I heard pulling in.”
“Good ears. How was the drive over this morning?” When he’d first met Angie in Wagon Train she’d shown up in a Stetson, yoked shirt, blinged-out jeans and fancy boots. On the job she wore her brown hair in a ponytail pulled through a ball cap, a flannel shirt, old jeans and work boots.
“It’s still a long-ass drive, but since you’re paying for our gas. I just relax and enjoy the scenery.”
“Glad to hear it. I came by last night and the two rooms downstairs are looking great.”
“Thanks. We’re concentrating on the upstairs this trip.”
“I can tell.” The buzz of a saw and the rhythmic smack of a nail gun told him Kendall and Kieran were busy on the second floor. “Did Kendall bring Jodi?” That little cutie-pie had just turned two and he adored her.
“Not this time. Her father’s off this weekend so he wanted some daddy-daughter time.”
“I’ll bet.” He climbed the steps. “She’s a hoot. Give her a hammer, nails and some wood and she’s set.”
Angie nodded. “Another year and she’ll be on the payroll. I’m counting on her to show my little one the ropes.”
“Was that a hint?”
