Page 58 of Branded Betrayal

Tonight.

They’re here. Watching. Just like he said. And pretty soon, if I know Wilkerson, they’ll start acting.

Chapter Nineteen

Savannah

It’s been almost a week since that kiss in the Hartman barn, and pretending to be able to focus on anything other than Blaze’s lips on mine is pretty much futile.

Since I need to make money, I force myself to listen to what Mikey, Randy, and Nash tell me we need to do to get Red Rock rental ready. Only one of my prospects, Stillwell, followed up after I sent my pricing. But we have to start somewhere.

“Fences are the priority,” Mikey says, pointing at the pasture map. “There are a few cracks in the far corner of the north pasture that need to be reinforced.”

“We should be good with water now,” I say. “The underground-well system was repaired.” I leave out the person who did the repairs because I think Nash’s head might explode if he finds out. My fingers fly over the laptop keyboard as I take notes. “What else?”

“Basic supplies for the cattle. Additional feeding areas.” Nash doesn’t look up from where he’s leaning against the counter, eating a scone. “And you’re gonna wanna verify the cattle vet certificates. Otherwise it’ll be your liability if the renter’s cattle brings disease here.”

“Okay. And how long do you think we need to get things ready to go?” I ask.

“Three weeks,” Mikey says. “If we’re lucky.”

“Stillwell wants them here in four.” I close the lid of my laptop. “Let’s get started.”

Mikey and Randy head out to the barn while Nash grabs another scone.

I made another batch yesterday . . . and I hate to admit this . . . but it’s because they remind me of Blaze. Maybe deep down I baked them, hoping they’d be like some kind of homing beacon and he’d sniff them out. Maybe come back to me.

Stupid, I know.

“Hey, where’d you find the repair service for the well system?” he asks mid-chew.

“Oh, um,” I stammer. “You know, just some local company outside of town. New, I think. But they took care of it fast.”

My phone rings before he can ask another question. “Hello?”

“Savannah, dear. It’s Eloise Murray. I was hoping you’d answer.”

“Oh, hi, Ms. Eloise.” I furrow my brow at Nash. “Everything okay?”

“Well, no, not really. Today is the town’s annual summer celebration, and we always have a kids’ Bake-Off competition. Ruthie Gibbons was going to judge, but she came down with the croup, and we need someone to stand in for her. Would you do it?”

“Of course, I’d love to.” My heart lurches. Town celebration.

Maybe Blaze will—

No. Stop. It. Right. Now!

“Perfect. Just come by the town square at one o’clock.”

“What was that all about?” Nash asks when I hang up the phone.

A wide smile stretches across my face. “I was invited to judge a Bake-Off this afternoon in town. And you’re coming with me.”

A hint of a smirk lifts my brother’s lips. “Only if I can sample the entries.”

A half smile. Hell yes, I’ll take it. I give him a playful nudge. “I’ll see what I can do.”

We head into town a little early to walk around and check out the different tents set up in the square.