Leanne Banks - Flirting with Fortune

Her father narrowed his gaze. “Does he know of your condition?”

The quick, hot surge of temper took Gabi by surprise. “I don’t have a condition,” she snapped. “I’ve had a heart transplant. I’m all better now.”

Or close enough. She was down to only two meds.

Not surprisingly, Orlando didn’t back down. “Does he know?”

“This may surprise you, but I don’t shout my medical history from the rooftops of every town I visit.” Gabi pushed back her chair with a clatter and rose to her feet. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t, either.”

She bent, kissed his leathery cheek and spoke briskly. Lunch would have to wait for another time. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours. I’m going to run some errands, pick up a few things while I’m here in Lubbock.”

“I love you, Gabriella.” He grabbed her hand before she could move away. “Sometimes my love makes me a little overprotective.”

“A little?” She paused. Sighed. “I love you, Papi, but you need to remember I’m a grown woman. I handle my own affairs.”

“But your heart—”

“My heart—” Gabi spoke slowly and distinctly so there could be no misunderstanding “—is strong and healthy and all mine. You don’t have to worry about me giving it away to a stranger and getting hurt.”

The truth was she didn’t plan on giving her heart away to any man. Not even one who was handsome as sin and wore a black Stetson.

* * *

Jude ran into Sawyer in Vicker’s Corners, just as he finished loading supplies in the back of his pickup. When his cousin crossed the street, Jude shut the tailgate and lifted a hand in greeting.

“Looks like you’re going to be busy.” Sawyer gestured with his head toward the truck. “Don’t you know Sunday is the day of rest?”

“Not on a ranch.” Jude kept his smile easy. Although he didn’t know Sawyer well, so far he liked what he’d seen. He appreciated the way Sawyer and his wife had looked out for Gabi’s father. How a boss treated those who worked for him said a lot.

“Past lunchtime. Have you eaten?”

Jude took off his Stetson and raked a hand through his hair. “Not yet. It’s been one of those days.”

“Me, either.” Sawyer gestured toward a family-style restaurant on the corner. “Got time to grab a quick burger?”

Though there was plenty of work waiting for him back at the ranch, Jude didn’t hesitate. A man had to eat, after all.

Because it was nearly two, the after-church crowd had cleared out long ago and the only people in the place were a couple of grizzled old cowboys playing checkers at a corner table.

The hostess led them to a table by the window.

“How’s Orlando?” he asked, after Arlene, a retired schoolteacher-turned-waitress, had taken their order and brought the drinks.

“You’d know better than me.” Sawyer leaned back and relaxed against the vinyl seat, downing a good portion of his iced tea in one gulp. “I was surprised to see you with Gabi last night.”

Jude smiled and changed the subject. “How’s the accident investigation coming? Is sabotage still on the table?”

Jude had heard all about the anonymous letters received at the post office. Letters alluding that what happened to Orlando could happen again if the Fortunes didn’t pull up stakes in Horseback Hollow. He was grateful neither his brothers nor the ranch hands had brought up the letters at the bar when he’d been with Gabi.

Sawyer waited to answer until the waitress had set the food in front of them and was out of earshot. “The NTSB is still investigating. Until they file their report we won’t know for sure.”

Jude hefted the massive burger. “What’s your take?”

Sawyer dipped a French fry into a puddle of ketchup. “I don’t think so, but being part of a famous family does open you up to all sorts of things.”

“That sucks.”

“Sometimes.” A speculative look crossed Sawyer’s face. “Are you sorry you became a Fortune?”

Jude shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but Sawyer had always been honest with him. He could be no less. “It takes more than DNA to make people family.”

“True enough.” Sawyer popped a fry into his mouth. “Though I have to say when I saw you, I recognized you as a Fortune immediately.”

Jude grinned and simply shrugged. No use denying it. Everyone commented on the physical resemblance between Jude and his cousin.

“Your brother Christopher doesn’t seem to be having any problem adjusting to his new family,” Sawyer said in a casual tone that Jude guessed was anything but casual.

“That so?”

Sawyer added more salt to his fries. “He’s considering a move to Red Rock.”

Jude kept his face expressionless. “First I heard.”

The thought that Chris would leave Horseback Hollow to hook up with the Fortunes didn’t shock Jude. Not as much as if Sawyer had told him one of his other brothers was considering the possibility.

At twenty-six, Chris was the youngest of the five boys and the only one who’d never taken to life on the ranch. From the time he’d been a little boy, he and their father had been at odds. If their dad said something was black, Chris would insist it was white.

Still, Jude had to wonder what his little brother was up to....

Jude shoved the speculation aside. He had no doubt he’d find out soon enough what Chris had up his sleeve.

“Back to Orlando.” Jude took a drink of cola. “I know he’s worked for you the past couple of months. Has he said much about his daughter?”

A trace of a smile lifted Sawyer’s lips. “You mean about your future wife?”

“Scoff all you want.” Jude met Sawyer’s mocking gaze with a steady one of his own. “When Gabi is walking down the aisle straight toward me, you’ll be eating those words.”

“Okay, okay.” Sawyer took another bite of burger. “I’m sure you know more than me. She’s one of five kids. The mother died several years back. O is very protective of her, so watch your step.”

Jude’s fingers tightened around the glass of cola. “Watch my step?”

The words were so cold frost could have formed on them.

His cousin waved a dismissive hand, his fingers holding a French fry. “You know what I mean.”

“I would never take advantage of Gabi.” The words were said slowly, concisely and with an edge even Sawyer couldn’t fail to notice. “I care about her too much.”

“Good. Then Orlando won’t be a problem.”

Jude wasn’t sure about that, but right now it didn’t matter. His focus was on Gabi, on getting to know her and having her get to know him. Not everyone fell in love at first sight.

Until Gabi got to know him she couldn’t love him. And love was essential if they were going to have a long and happy life together.

Chapter Six

Gabi decided riding Sweet Betsy was very much like sitting in a rocking chair. The chestnut-colored mare had one speed and that was slow. Nothing interested her, not the rabbits hopping across the field nor the cattle grazing nearby.

Wherever Jude’s stallion went, the mare was content to go. Jude had smiled approvingly at Gabi’s jeans, boots and long-sleeved shirt with a jacket for the ride. Because the sun shone bright, he’d plopped a hat on her head.

She was grateful to have it. The sky was blue without a trace of clouds. A slight breeze added to the pleasantness of the day.

Though there wasn’t a palm tree in sight, Gabi found the openness of the landscape appealing. Just like the man at her side. Gabi slanted a sideways glance at the handsome cowboy, with the roll of wire hooked to his saddle.

“Do you like banana bread?” Jude asked when they drew close to a large pond.

It was an odd question, but Gabi answered truthfully. “Who doesn’t?”