“Some guy named Gerald something, driving a Tesla, made quite the entrance,” Jeff said as they stopped to speak.
“Gerald Moles,” Cash informed him, noting Jeff’s ironic choice of words. He waved to some friends in the distance and spoke to a couple who passed by him and Jeff. “Let’s keep moving,” he said, wanting to hear what Jeff had to say. They headed toward the café where Cash saw Kellie, Cristen, and Teresa. Sam was behind the grill with Bob. Bob was Chase’s ranch foreman and his wife, Teresa, was Kellie’s sister. Cash greeted everyone and ensconced among these trusted friends, he asked Jeff, “What kind of entrance?”
“Beau and Ed said Moles arrived late and refused to park his car in the field.”
“So where did Moles park?”
“The driveway,” Jeff replied.
“I take it the driveway was full by the time he got here?” Cash asked.
“Yes. But he backed his car in between a big SUV and the split-rail fence. Stupid,” Jeff said and shook his head. “He’d been much better off in the field where there’s endless room.”
“Did he say why?” Sam asked.
Turning to his dad, Jeff replied, “Said he didn’t drive his new white Tesla all the way out here just to get it dirty and his shoes dusty in a damn pasture. Then he called Tracy to complain.”
“Seriously?” Bob asked with a genuinely perplexed frown. “Did he not know there might be dirt and dust on a ranch?”
“He must not get out of the corporate office much,” Sam said.
“Or visit the ranchers and ranges featured in the magazine he works for,” Jeff added. “Anyway, the guys said Tracy hurried out to the front gate.”
“How did she react?” Cash asked.
“Ed said she looked embarrassed, and Beau said she mouthed an apology,” Jeff reported.
Cash glanced at the dance area and noted the strained expression on Tracy’s beautiful face. When Tracy’s eyes collided with his, he saw in them all he needed to see. Saying he’d be right back, he walked straight to Tracy.
“I’m cutting in,” Cash informed Gerald Moles. Not giving the man a chance to protest, Cash took hold of Tracy’s left hand as she held it out to him. Cash tugged her into his embrace and danced her away from Moles.
“Thank you, Cash,” Tracy whispered. “I wish I’d never invited Gerald.”
“As I recall, it was my idea,” Cash said and then chuckled. “He looks pissed.”
“Maybe Donna can sidetrack him,” Tracy said as Donna took her place with Gerald.
“I doubt it. No contest between you and Donna.”
Tracy blushed at his compliment. They finished the slow dance and danced a fast one as Cooper Brevard, holding his little cousin, Courtney Cooper’s hand, joined them near the stage to dance. After walking the children back to their parents, Cash escorted Tracy to the barbecue grill.
“How do you like your steak?” Sam was asking Gerald. “I grill ’em rare to well done.”
Instead of answering Sam, Gerald said to Cash, “I understand your brother and sister are open to being interviewed by Tracy and photographed by Jacob.”
Cash clenched his jaw and casually hooked a thumb into the front pocket of his jeans. As Gerald had ignored Sam, instead of answering him, Cash asked, “Gerald Moles, have you met Sam Reynolds, my ranch foreman?”
“Hello, Gerald,” Sam said.
“Hello,” Gerald replied with only a cursory look at Sam and directed his attention back to Cash. “I told Tracy that she and I will head to the Springs tonight and discuss the angles.”
“There are no angles, Gerald,” Tracy said. “As I see it, we put Cash on the cover, much like how he’s standing now, maybe with a Triple C Ranch-East corral behind him.” When she smiled at Cash, he instinctively knew she was thinking of the oil painting of him when he was eighteen. “I have the story almost finished,” Tracy told Gerald. “When and if they agree and it’s convenient for them, I can interview Chase and Jade Cooper and then Derek and Chloe Brevard. Jacob can take photos and I can add their quotes to Cash’s article.”
Gerald chuckled, but it wasn’t a friendly one. “As I see it, we’ll discuss it in my office.”
“As I see it,” Cash began with a glare at Gerald for his abruptness to Tracy, “time to eat a steak.” With a smile at Tracy, he swept a hand toward the grill. “Tell Sam how you like yours.”
Tracy turned to Sam with a smile. “Medium please, Sam.” To Cash, she said, “I’m ready to find a seat and eat.”
