“I guess that’s true. I’ll give it some thought.”
Brianna sipped her cold brew. “Hey, aren’t you interviewing that potential trainer later today?”
“Actually he stopped by yesterday and I hired him already. So that’s one thing off my list of things to worry about.”
“That was fast.”
“He has an incredible résumé. I can’t imagine why he’d want to work at our dinky little ranch, but I’m not complaining.”
“You sure he isn’t a felon or something?”
“His references gave glowing reviews. They all said they’d rehire him in a heartbeat.”
“It’s only temporary though?”
“Through the end of October. He agreed to get the program up and running and help train the next person. I’ll take what I can get at this point. It’s not like there’s a line of skilled applicants outside my door. Certainly none with his qualifications.” Charlotte glanced at Cooper. “Do you think we look alike? No, don’t turn around—you turned around!”
“He’s too busy reading the paper to notice. I think he might have your nose.”
Charlotte touched her nose. “Really?”
“No, not really—he’s thirty feet away.”
Charlotte scowled at her friend.
“I have to say this makes me really glad I voted for him. I mean, he’s doing a good job and everything, but especially since he’s your brother.”
Heat seeped into Charlotte’s cheeks. She took a swig of her latte. Watched as Cooper leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
“You didn’t vote for him. You didn’t vote for your own brother.”
Charlotte lowered her voice. “I didn’t know he was my brother! And I didn’t vote against him either... I just didn’t vote at all.”
“You did not just say that. You gotta vote; it’s your civic duty.”
“All right, all right, I’ll never miss Election Day again.”
Cooper sipped his coffee. How did he take it? Was he dairy sensitive like her? There were so many things she’d always wondered about. Her athletic ability, her allergies to penicillin, her cleft chin. Would she find the answers in her dad’s side of the family?
Brianna leaned forward. “Um, don’t look now, but there’s a hottie at two o’clock who keeps checking you out. Black fitted tee and a pair of very nice shoulders. Oh, mama.”
Charlotte tore her attention from Cooper to find Gunner staring at her, a knowing glint in his eyes. Because, of course, he’d seen her gawking at Cooper.
He gave a nod.
She pulled her lips into a semblance of a smile, then jerked her gaze back to Brianna. Her internal temperature had risen at least ten degrees. “That’s my new horse trainer. And naturally, he just caught me staring at Cooper.”
“So?”
“So yesterday he caught me gawking at Gavin.”
Brianna shrugged.
“Withbinoculars.”
Brianna’s features froze. Then she let out that exuberant laugh she was known for.
Charlotte scowled. “It’s not that funny.”
