Amid the introductions, Paige pointed out three ranch hands, who seemed to prefer to keep to themselves. So Paige but didn’t bother to introduce Amy to them.
Lastly, Paige introduced Amy to Zane Hamilton, who had been the ranch foreman for over thirty years. His wife Charlotte—known as Lottie—worked as the cook and housekeeper in the ranch house. Their son, Daniel, lifted Paige up off the ground in a hug before returning to Riley’s side. If Paige hadn’t told her what good friends they were, she would have mistaken Daniel and Riley for a couple.
* * *
During lunch,Amy couldn’t help herself, she watched Ben and his cousins out of the corner of her eye. She pretended not to eavesdrop while Robert told Ben and Jake about how she’d handled Widow Wheeler’s 911 call on Friday. The young widow insisted Robert come over to her house, because she’d heard noises in the basement.
Robert laughed as he finished with, “Then Debbie said, ‘Stop calling me ma’am. I’m not that old’.”
Jake threw back his head and laughed. Ben, more reserved, only chuckled.
Ben had shown up shortly before lunch. Everyone acted happy to see him, if not a little surprised. Amy had sensed from many of the family members, they were never sure if he would come. Other than being his usual brooding self, he seemed to be having a good time.
Amy thought she’d feel like an outsider at the family gathering, but Ben’s family had been friendly and inclusive of her and Kallie. In fact, she’d hardly seen her daughter all afternoon. Paige had kept her entertained, showing her the animals and taking her for a ride on a four-wheeler and a horse.
Robert insisted on taking Amy for a ride on a four-wheeler after lunch, which she would have enjoyed more if she hadn’t found it so difficult to breathe. Sitting behind Robert with her arms around his waist was distracting. She kept reminding herself he was her boss. An attractive and very fit boss.
She’d just left a relationship and couldn’t get involved with another man so soon.
Following their ride, Amy sat on a lawn chair under a massive oak tree and listened to Robert and Jake talk about growing up on the ranch. Robert did most of the talking. Jake seemed more serious and less talkative. Robert, on the other hand, took after his mother—chatty and cheerful, often joking around.
She enjoyed their company, but she couldn’t keep her eyes from searching for Ben. She spotted him and Paige, sitting on the back-porch swing. They appeared to be having a serious conversation. Paige still held Kallie, and it looked like Kallie might have fallen asleep.
Robert barely finished one story before starting another, and Amy got a glimpse of what it would have been like to have a brother or sister to get into trouble with? Her childhood had been anything but normal, but as an only child, she couldn’t help feeling like she’d missed out on a lot.
Robert stopped in the middle of his story and cleared his throat. He gave his brother a pointed look. “Jake, why don’t you take Amy on a tour of the stables?”
The sudden request struck Amy as odd. A quick glance at Jake’s face told her he found it equally surprising. She caught the subtle nod Robert gave his brother. Looking in the direction of Robert’s nod, she saw a red Porsche turning down the lane.
Ah. Widow Wheeler. Apparently, Robert wanted Debbie to see her and Jake together. She wasn’t sure what he thought it would accomplish, but she didn’t see and harm in playing along. Amy barely knew Jake, but she could pretend to be interested in him for a little while. She’d flirted with plenty of men at the restaurant and bar. Not because she enjoyed it, but because it brought in good tips.
Jake let out a groan, then smiled at Amy. “Would you like to see the stables and horses?”
She stood. “Sure.”
It would serve Robert right, if Debbie, after seeing her with Jake, searched him out instead. His sheriff’s vehicle was parked out front, Debbie would know he was here.
“I’m not much of an actress,” Amy said to Jake as they crossed the back lawn. “But if you want, I can play up my attention toward you. For Debbie’s benefit.”
Color flooded Jake’s, face and she laughed. “I’ve heard about her attempts to get at Providence’s finest bachelors.” She laughed again as the color in Jake’s cheeks deepened. “Do you want mildly attentive or fall down and twist my ankle, so you can rescue me?”
Jake chuckled. “Maybe somewhere in the middle. Whatever you do, don’t leave me alone with that woman.”
A few moments later, they stood at a stall door petting the nose of Jake’s best mare, when they heard, “Yoohoo, Ja-ake! I know it’s a holiday but...” Debbie’s words died off when she spotted Amy standing beside Jake. Her lips pressed together, and her eyes narrowed. “Oh, I thought you were alone.”
“I’m showing Amy the horses.” Jake placed his hand on the small of Amy’s back. “You’ve met Amy, haven’t you, Debbie?”
Debbie gave Amy a tight smile, her perfectly chiseled, heavily made-up features giving nothing away. But Amy didn’t miss the flash of animosity in her eyes.
“Not formally, no.”
Liar.True, they hadn’t been formally introduced, but they’d spoken.
“Nice to meet you.” Amy stepped forward and held out her hand.
Debbie shook her hand for the briefest of moments before pulling back. Her eyes roamed over Amy, then dismissing her with a look of disdain, she turned her attention to Jake.
Self-conscious, Amy smiled back at Debbie. Did she have any idea how out of place she looked in the stables, in her skin-tight leggings, and four-inch heels? As if that wasn’t enough, she fairly glittered in gold and diamonds.
