A rumble of chuckles went through the room, even Mrs. Powers smiled at the exchange between Abe and Cal.
And in true Sterling fashion, we all came back to the Ranch and got back to work. With the crush event happening in two days, we still had a lot to do.
We needed all hands on deck and I could kiss Mrs. Powers for wanting to help. “I think I should stay a day or two to help. Rory mentioned more help with the catering. I could stay on the couch if you two honeymooners don’t mind.”
Rory frowned and sighed. “Mrs. Powers. You don’t need to stay on the couch. You can use the Ridge Cabin, it is on this side of the property line, but it is closer to Cal and Allie’s cabin. And as long as one of them drives you everywhere, you will be safe.”
Allie’s mouth dropped, Calvin’s brows raised. It wasn’t as if Rory and I were a secret, we just hadn’t told anyone.
Cal folded his arms, his eyes darting between me and Rory. “So, you’re not sneaking around anymore?”
“We were never sneaking around.” I didn’t mean to sound as defensive as I did. “We just wanted to keep our private lives to ourselves.”
“Well, I appreciate the two of you outing yourselves for me.” Mrs. Powers smiled as she walked toward Cal’s truck. “Let’s get me settled in for a few days.”
And that was how I got my woman to move in with me. Thank you very much to my best friend’s mother-in-law.
It didn’t take us long to clear the rest of Rory’s stuff from the cabin. She was back outside directing men and making notes before long. Her hair was tied into a bun with a pen, and she had changed those uncomfortable shoes for her yellow boots.
Surely, that was not supposed to be sexy. Red dress, formal enough for office work, with a messy bun and rain boots was not exactly the stuff male fantasies were made of. Yet, the idea of shoving up the dress, and driving into her while she wore those boots had my cock jerking. I twisted, trying to discreetly adjust myself. There was no way I could sport an erection in front of my men.
Over the next few hours, both my kitchen and Cal’s were used for cooking. Even the oven in the cabin had been put to use as pies were baked in advance and other meal prep happened.
It was as I was placing the tables in the pattern Rory had dictated when the shiny black SUV came driving up the gravel road toward the barns. With the tent up and the furniture being moved around, there was no mistaking the ranch was preparing for the party.
Vance Steiner climbed out of the driver's side. He stood and waited at the car as if waiting for me to join him. For a moment, I considered whether I wanted to join him or not. It would certainly be more private going to him. But really, what did I have to hide? If the event was not a success, I would lose anyway.I had work to do. The fucker could get his fancy shoes dirty and walk to me.
It was obvious I was right about the shoes as the man took tentative steps as he walked toward me. In all the time I had been communicating with the asshole, we had never actually met. I had no doubt he had a full dossier on me and Rory had shown me his corporate picture.
The man was… Rory had described him as bland. Forgettable. A few inches shorter than me, with a hairline which had just started receding at the sides. Glasses, cream shirt, gray dress pants. The only thing that had a bit of character was the cartoon character tie. Then again, even that was unremarkable for a father of two.
“Vierra.”
“Steiner.”
“I hear you’re throwing good money away at a party.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and stood close enough to the tent to be sheltered from the wind. “Do you think that’s wise?”
I pulled my gloves from my hands and looked over at him. “Fortunately for both of us, what I do with my land and my money is none of your business.”
“It won’t be your land for long.” His smirk curled up and I could tell he wanted to tell me more.
I didn’t have the same temptation. Instead, I smiled at him. “Maybe. Maybe that was why I invited a bunch of property investors and key players in the hospitality industry. Maybe, I recognize that I need to sell. But not to you.”
I had no intention of selling. Ever, if I could help it. But it was fun to watch the blood drain from his face as he realized I still had options. Even under pressure, I didn’t have to sell to him.
“You’re wasting your time.” He started back toward his car. “No one will be interested in this land.”
I might have believed him if he had been able to meet my eye, or his voice hadn’t taken on that high pitch at the end. The man was nervous. And he didn’t even know how much we knew.
“We will be feeding them Vierra Beef, and who knows maybe we’ll bottle the water and hand it out as a party favor. You should’ve got on the bandwagon and got in on integrating into the town.”
His eye twitched and I could tell I was getting to him. “Argent is not in the habit of giving out freebies. That’s not how we make money.”
I smiled and shoved my hands back into my gloves, choosing to ignore the asshole. The tables needed tending and making Rory happy was a better use of my time than trading barbs with Vance Fucking Steiner.
Only once the black SUV had left the property did Rory venture outside. “Should I be concerned that Vance Steiner made you smile?”
“He got fucking worried when I said, if I need to sell I’d have options that don’t include him.” I placed my arm over her shoulder. “It was the most satisfying thing ever.”
