“Oh, now I remember. She was mentioned in an M.R. Morrison newsletter. Did you guys spend a lot of time with the construction crew? You seem to know them pretty well.”
Luis nodded. “We sure do. Whenever they worked several days in a row, they stayed at the ranch. We had a lot of fun dinner conversations.”
“Do you think the whole family will show up?”
“We’re about to find out.” Luis took one of the few remaining parking spots in a large lot to the right of the stately Victorian.
“Get a load of the purple truck!” Zay opened his door to get a better look, letting in the lively music provided by the Mustang High pep band. “There’s a custom paint job if I ever saw one.”
“I’ll bet it belongs to M.R. Morrison,” Jordan said. “It looks like the one in a picture she had in her newsletter. She loves purple.”
“She does?” Luis glanced at her. “Do you think that’s why they painted the Victorian that color?”
“I did wonder when I walked out to see it Thursday night.”
“I’d call it a good theory,” Zay said. “Look at the house and look at the truck. They match, except for the difference in finish.”
“I’ll be damned.” Monty unbuckled his seatbelt. “I was wondering who made that bold color choice. Looks like it was her.”
“Or she floated the idea and Adam made it happen,” Luis said. “He adores her.”
“I seem to remember Grandma Lucy loved purple.” Zay chuckled. “But not for a house.”
“Times change.” Luis reached for the door handle, thinking he’d help Jordan down, but Zay beat him to it. They all started toward the large crowd standing on the Victorian’s circular driveway.
Zay and Jordan ended up in the lead and Luis debated whether to jockey for a position next to her. Then she fell back a few steps, putting her right beside him.
When she slowed, he automatically did the same until Monty, Rio and Zay were several yards ahead.
“This decision about Rio,” she began, keeping her voice down. “I can’t help but wonder if?—”
“It wasn’t my idea. Auntie Kat suggested it when we danced together last night. She wanted to dance with me so she could make her pitch. She’s convinced he needs a purpose.”
“Interesting. Do you think it’ll work out?”
“I didn’t when she first proposed it. I’m more hopeful after this morning.”
“That’s why I met him coming out of your casita.”
“Yes, ma’am. We finished with the horses and still had more to talk about, so we came back to my place and had some coffee.”
“Why didn’t you tell me during breakfast? And don’t say there wasn’t time because there was.”
“I thought it would be too pointed if I told you right away, as if I’d done the whole thing to prove I didn’t have a secret plan to ask you to take the job.”
“Did you?”
“Of course.”
“I had a feeling.”
“Not that it matters now, but I do think you’d be great at it.”
“In theory. In reality, I’m?—”
“Impossible to live with?”
She stopped and turned to him. “You haven’t seen how I operate on a day-to-day basis. I’m exacting. I like my routine and I don’t want anybody messing with it.”
