“Not sure I really care,” I shrugged, taking a seat on her couch.
“But…Ryder?—”
“Enough, Ellie! I don’t get along with my dad. I’ve only been a disappointment to him, so sorry if I don’t rush off to tell him my plans.”
She sank next to me, sighing. “I’m sorry. I just…”
“I know,” I said, rubbing my hand over my face. “I just want to enjoy this moment without my old man yelling at me for not thinking of the ranch.”
“He has to realize by now that you’re not taking it over.”
“You would think,” I grumbled.
“What about your sisters? Surely, you want to share this with them.”
My sisters were off living their own lives. Other than the occasional check-in, we rarely talked. And nothing was deep enough to feel meaningful.
“I just want to spend the night with you.”
Her eyes softened at my words, and she stopped arguing with me about it.
“Well, you’re just in time for dinner.”
“Yeah? Making anything special?”
“Not particularly, but I’m hungry, so come talk to me while I cook.”
I followed her into the kitchen, taking a seat as I watched her move around with ease.
“Did you get everything done at the shop today?”
“Yep. I had to send one box back because it was a duplicate order, but other than that, everything went fine.”
“Good.” I thought about the boutique, and how it seemed to be thriving in a small town. That didn’t really seem to work out somehow. “Did you have a busy day?”
“Not really. Not many customers came into the store, but tourist season is really picking up. I’ll be swamped in another week or two.”
“And the business does fine just during those months?”
She stopped cutting up the chicken and smirked at me. “Interested in my business?”
“Just wondering how a clothing shop in a small town does so well.”
She set down the knife and leaned forward. “Honestly, I only sell clothes as a front. My real business is in the drug trade.”
“You’re so funny,” I glowered.
She resumed cutting up the meat. “Actually, I’m getting my online store built up so I can start shipping out orders. Thatshould help with the slower months. But the summer and winter really bring in a fair share of customers.”
“And right now?”
She opened her mouth, then shut it again. “It’s not going great, but things will pick up,” she said, her smile strained.
I got the feeling something else was going on, but when she didn’t immediately bring it up, I didn’t try to pull it out of her.
“What are you making?”
“Coq Au Vin.”
