An image of Lee shot to her mind once more. Andie couldn’t help but enjoy the way Trenton seemed so focused on their interest in her.
“What cowboy?” Richard asked.“You?”
Trenton looked caught as his eyes widened. “I should only be so lucky.
But no, one of my ranch hands.”
All eyes turned on Andie. “I’m not sure if I’m going to go or not,” she said. “I’ll have to think about it.”
“Party pooper,” Emmitt accused.
“Show off,” she said in return.
Betty giggled. “If youdocome, you’ll be in for a real treat. Trenton’s agreed to join me in our famous harmonica duet. It’s an old number called‘Orange Dude Blues’ and it really gets the crowd going.”
Andie’s reaction to this news was similar to that of hearing that Emmitt was strumming chords out there tonight. The initial surprise quickly waning as she decided it made sense in her mind as well. She could picture Trenton cradling a harmonica and jamming out to a soulful tune. And she very much wanted to see it for herself.
As the thought crossed her mind, she met eyes with Trenton, who seemed to be gauging her reaction as he looked up at her through his lashes.
“I can’t miss that,” she said.
A slight smile pulled at one corner of his lips.
Richard cleared his throat, an act that had Andie glancing over. Her older brother stood there with arms crossed, darting pointed glances between Andie and Trenton. Accusing glances was more like it.
“Are we interrupting anything in here?” he asked, making his suspicion clear.
A flare of fire blazed hot in Andie’s chest as she shot him a glare. She was trying to think of a way to put him in his place when Trenton spoke up instead.
“As a matter of fact, you are,” he said as he came to a stand.
Andie’s eyes widened from the response. She watched as Trenton proceeded to dust his hands on his jeans and straighten to his full and impressive form. Very impressive.
“If you ask Lucy, you’ve interrupted a perfectly good belly rub,” he said. “She’ll expectyouto finish the job now.”
Laughter rose among the small group, Andie and Richard’s included.
“And she’s particular about it, too,” Betty assured while bending down to scoop up the dog.
Emmitt leaned in to pet the thing once it was snuggled within Betty’s arms. “She looks more like a sheep than a dog.”
And she did, Andie realized, with her wooly coat, long, rounded head, and floppy ears.
“You’re right,” Betty agreed. “That’s what sets this breed apart.” She went on to recite a few fun facts while Emmitt rubbed the animal’s head.
“She’s cute,” her younger brother said. “I always wanted a dog.”
“Should we get started?” Richard piped. “We want to see how things are running here. Find out what’s working, what isn’t, and what we can do to help.”
It sounded so diplomatic that Andie wondered if Richard had researched management skills before heading over. Perhaps in response to her text. The concern she’d felt on her way there rose up once more. Emmitt, she knew, would be as cordial and charming as he ever was. But Richard—there was no telling how he’d behave.
That fear only intensified as Trenton motioned them over to one of the desks.
“These two computers—there’s one at each desk—have the same login code. So you can come in and check on things any time. Each will take you to the same places and do basically the same things. The master files are saved in an icloud, so all data will be up-to-date no matter where you pull it from.
“I’m not the man who does the books around here, but between Betty and myself we can likely answer any questions you have.” He huddled over the keyboard before straightening once more and facing the group, his expression turning serious.
“We’re flexible around here, and willing to look at changes you might want to make. But let me be clear about one thing that I amnotflexible on.”
