“Let’s do it, birthday girl,” Cash said and held out his arm. Tracy slipped her arm through his. “You know how I like mine, Sam.”
“Medium and medium rare coming up,” Sam said. “And you, sir?” he asked Gerald.
“Well done,” Gerald mumbled.
“I thought so,” Cash said in a way that made Gerald scowl as he endeavored to determine if Cash meant the steak or having turned the tables on him.
A giggle escaped Tracy, and she whispered, “Well done, Cash.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“Come join us, Jacob,” Tracy called a few minutes later from the picnic table.
She’d felt the tension in Cash’s muscular body as they’d danced and when her arm had been looped through his. He’d sat at a picnic bench and tugged her down beside him, somewhat strategically, at the end of the table. Gerald had joined them but had to sit across from her instead of beside her. Donna followed and predictably plopped down beside Gerald which put her across from Cash. When Jacob arrived with his plate, he slid onto the bench next to Cash. Reaching across Gerald for a saltshaker, Donna jiggled her amply exposed breasts which Gerald ignored. Jacob couldn’t say enough nice things about his week on the ranch. He and Cash talked as Gerald smirked.
“Mighty tasty brownie, Tracy,” Coop said as he walked up to the picnic table, munching one with pecans on top. “Kellie says you were a big help today.”
“Thanks, Coop. It was my pleasure,” Tracy said. After helping make croissants, she’d baked half a dozen tins of brownies.
“She makes a mean chicken salad croissant too,” Cash said and grinned at her.
“Coop, please take my seat,” Jacob said and giving up hisplace next to Cash, moved to the other side of the table beside Donna.
“Thanks, Jacob,” Cash said and patted the bench beside him.
“Coop, I believe you met Donna Smith earlier in the week,” Tracy said as Coop sat next to Cash. “This is Gerald Moles fromRanchers and Ranges. Gerald, this gentleman is Crawford Cooper, patriarch of the Triple C Ranches.”
“Heard about you, Mr. Moles,” Coop said coolly to Gerald who lifted a hand in greeting. Then ignoring Gerald, Coop asked, “What time are your fireworks tonight, Cash?”
“Whenever we’re ready,” Cash said, cutting a side eye and frown at Gerald who hadn’t appropriately acknowledged or even replied to Coop. Tracy figured Cash might explode at any time due to Gerald’s continued rudeness, especially when it came to his beloved grandfather. Looking back at Coop, Cash said, “The guys who set off our fireworks are just waiting for me to tell them when. You ready, Coop?”
“I’m ready.” Coop grinned and clapped his hands for emphasis.
“Thebigfireworks will be on top of Pikes Peak shortly before ten tonight,” Gerald said. Cash ignored that jab to the ranch fireworks as he pulled out his cell and texted. Looking across the table at Tracy, Gerald urged, “We should be going so we don’t miss that show, Tracy. Are you all packed up?”
“I want to capture Cash’s fireworks,” Jacob said. “Then I’ll head back to the Springs since I need to drive the ladies who won the contest into town.”
“As Tracy’s assistant, I took it upon myself to check in with the contest winners,” Donna said importantly and leaned into Gerald, pushing her breast against his arm. “I made sure the ladies got packed so they’d be ready to go whenever we are.”
“Jeff told us Cash suggested the ladies pack up this afternoon because it would be dark and harder to do so after thefireworks,” Jacob said. “So, I drove the van around to the cabins and we loaded the luggage.”
“I was speaking to Tracy,” Gerald said to Jacob and Donna.
“You go ahead, Gerald,” Tracy said evenly. “I have the Mustang.”
“Are you spending another night in our cabin, Tracy?” Donna asked pointedly.
“No,” Tracy said, fairly certain that when Cash invited her to stay, he didn’t mean alone in her cabin. Maybe not in Cash’s bed, but somewhere in his house. “I agree with Jacob, I prefer to see Cash’s fireworks so I can include them in the article.”
Tracy had never seen this side of Gerald: the arrogant rudeness nor the barely concealed anger. He’d always been easy to work with in the office. Then again, this was Gerald’s first time being around her in Cash Cooper’s intimidating presence.
“The Mustang has to be returned to the rental car location, Tracy,” Gerald said.
“Tonight?” Tracy asked in surprise. “I was planning to pick up my dog and return the car tomorrow morning.”
“Tonight, by nine o’clock,” Gerald informed her.
“Jacob, you can drive a stick, can’t you?” Cash asked.
