Ghost plopped his hat down on the desk and propped his hip on the edge, as if there were no boundaries between them anymore. Cora had done that. She’d destroyed all the social rules and balance in his life since she’d arrived.
“Or did Grace relay your command?”
Darn if Ghost wasn’t right. “So? As my guest, she should be at dinner on time so I don’t have to wait for my meal.”
“So, you rule over Miss McKinnie. She has to rely on a man who lied to her, speaks harshly to her, and doesn’t make her feel welcome. But she’s supposed to trust that after she helps you get what you want, you’ll still see to her being cared for without wanting to marry her?”
Ed studied the tiny crack on the edge of his desktop. “You’re a smart man.”
“Nope. Never had no schoolin’, sir.”
“There are all kinds of smarts. You’re right. I hadn’t thought of it that way. My word is my word. She should believe me. But I see your point.” He ran his thumbnail along the crack.
“Can I makes a suggestion, sir?”
He dropped his hand into his lap. “Yes.”
Ghost spun his hat again.
“Go ahead. I promise I won’t be mad.”
“You show Miss McKinnie that she can trust you. Instead of taking her out to show off, take her somewhere she’d like to go. Treat her better.”
Ed huffed. Boundaries were set up in society for a reason. “We have a business arrangement, that’s all. I don’t want to make her think there’ll be a real marriage at the end of this.” Ed adjusted the sleeves of his jacket down to his thumb so they were even.
“I think you’re crazy not wanting to marry Miss McKinnie.” Ghost held up a hand as if to surrender. “But she says she doesn’t want to marry you.”
“What?” Ed pushed back from his desk. Why wouldn’t she want to marry him?
“Why that upset you? You have feelings for Miss McKinnie?”
Ed didn’t like the way Ghost tilted his head and offered a you-need-to-face-the-truth smirk. There was no truth to his words. None. Yes, Cora was beautiful and strong, but she was also distracting and could cost him everything. “No.”
“Then treat her well and show her you can be trusted. Go personally ask her to go with you somewhere she would like to go.”
Ed went to the window and looked out over the city. He spotted the square and followed the road to the edge of town, where the buildings became sparse and sand dunes took over. He couldn’t see beyond, but he knew what had been built recently. “Woodward Gardens that opened in May. When she arrived, Cora mentioned how she missed her gardens and flowers back home.”
“Perfect, sir.” Ghost bolted to the door and held it open. “Go ask.”
“Now?” Ed’s stomach rolled and dove down an endless pit.
“Yes, and be nice.” Ghost stood to the side, allowing Ed to walk ahead.
His throat went dry and his palms sweated like he was about to make the business deal of his life. “Cora?”
She lowered her glass to the table and looked up at him, fluttering her lashes the way women did to confuse a man. “Yes?”
He cleared his throat and fought for the words. “Would you like me to escort you to the gardens today? I thought you might enjoy seeing something that reminded you of home.”
Cora offered that coy smile that confused him. “That’s kind, but I’ve decided not to look back anymore. And I need to work on the invitations and my dress and finalize the plans.”
“Ghost will handle everything.” Ed’s voice pitched lower, and at Ghost’s throat clearing, he forced his temper under control.
“I promise I’ll handle everything,” Ghost said.
“You’ll finish making my dress?” Cora giggled, not a schoolgirl, off-putting sound, but a warm-his-heart kind of laugh.
“No. But I’ll handle all else we discussed. You can go to the gardens now and work this afternoon,” Ghost nudged, making Ed even more agitated at her refusal.
