Brenda Minton - A Reunion For The Rancher

“I’d love to come over, Iva. It might not be this weekend, but soon.”

Iva cackled because she’d won. “That sounds good. It will be nice to have a big family lunch.”

“Family dinners and apple pie are always a good bribe and you know it.” He leaned to kiss Iva’s cheek. Ruby rolled her eyes. He was that good. Just waltz in, charm her grandmother and invade her life.

And she’d get the lecture once he left because she was only Ruby Jo when she was in trouble.

He left, taking Brandon by the hand and leading the little boy across the lawn to his big Ford truck. Ruby waited until the truck was heading down the drive before she allowed herself to look at her grandmother.

“Why?”

Iva looked innocent, her eyebrows drawing in over narrowed eyes. “What?”

“You know what. You invited Carson to lunch. Seriously? It’s bad enough that he wants me to give his nephew riding lessons, but having him here for lunch is too much.”

Iva gave her along, steady look. “Only if you are still bothered by his presence. If he doesn’t mean anything to you, why would it be a problem to have him around?”

“Because he thinks my brother is a thief. Because his family discarded me like trash. Because...”

Iva did the eyebrow arch this time. Ruby didn’t want to see how much she resembled her grandmother in that gesture.

“I know they hurt you. But I also know that you and Carson never talked about all of that. The check. His sister. It’s all in the past, but it’s also been buried and has been festering for a dozen years. Neither of you has moved on. Neither of you has gotten over being mad at the other.”

“I think we have moved on. I got a job in Oklahoma. He’s running the family ranch.”

“Yes, you’ve moved on. But it’s like running in place. Neither of you has gotten anywhere.”

“Gran...”

Her grandmother pushed herself to her feet. “Oh, Ruby, stop worrying. It’s just lunch and it might not happen for weeks. Or ever.”

“Yes, just lunch.” With a man she’d once loved. A man she’d thought she would marry.

A man who was still kind and caring. She knew he’d helped her grandmother. Now she knew he was willing to care for a nephew. She knew he cared about his community.

She wanted to paint him as the villain, but she couldn’t. She knew him. And knowing him made him even more dangerous.

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