Shannon Vannatter - Winning Over The Cowboy

He frowned. “We can’t spam our guests.”

Why was he always so intent on disapproving of anything she did? She held her breath, counted to ten.

“I didn’t. They were return guests, and Eden had already signed them up to receive email notifications.”

“Oh.” The line between his brows smoothed. “Sounds like your idea worked. Good job. Got anything else?”

A compliment and a challenge all wrapped in one. “Back when I lived here, Granny allowed a few neighbors to get married here. My sister is a wedding planner. She could help us turn this place into a sought-after venue.”

“And girlie up the ranch?” He set his laptop down, strolled to the window. “After investing in all this log furniture and rustic decor? No way.”

“We wouldn’t have to change a thing. Rustic is in for weddings. Especially in Texas.”

“I have a better idea.” He turned to face her. “I just watched five axis deer grazing at the edge of the woods. We could offer corporate hunts. Bring in more exotics.”

“Hunting?” Her voice rose an octave. “I’m not turning hunters loose on Bambi’s daddy. They already got his mom.”

“Um. You know—”

“Bambi’s not real. But those poor innocent deer out there are.” She jabbed a finger at the window with a shudder. “And I know all the arguments. Axis aren’t even native to Texas. They’re overpopulated and taking over our native whitetail. There’s no season on them and they have huge horns, so hunters love them.”

“They’re called racks, not horns. How do you know so much about them?”

“Our main competitor for the Aubrey ranch where I worked offered exotic hunts. But we found other ways to boost business.” She leveled her gaze on him. “How would you like to be hunted?”

“You sound like Eden.” Something in his eyes softened. “And Granny.”

It was his family legacy. But he knew as well as she did, Eden and Granny would go for weddings rather than have hunters traipsing over the property. She’d even heard Granny mention how she’d always made her own husband go elsewhere for his hunting expeditions.

“So, let’s get this straight. You have issues with hunting, but you grew up on a ranch. You eat beef.”

“And I eat venison. But I don’t want anything to do with killing the animal.”

He tried to hold his laughter, but it rolled out. A deep, warm sound.

And Landry laughed with him.

Were they having a moment?

He seemed to realize it and immediately stopped laughing. He went back to his chair and settled once again with his laptop.

She forced her gaze away from him, back to the screen.

The phone rang and Landry jumped, then answered. “Chasing Eden Dude Ranch. How may I help you?”

“My name is Consuelo Sanchez. I know it’s short notice, but our family vacation time got moved up a week. Do you have any rooms available?”

“Let me check for you, Mrs. Sanchez.” Landry tried to infuse her smile into her tone. “How many, and when do you plan to arrive?”

“That’s the really crazy part. We’d get there tomorrow. Six adults and six kids.” Landry heard young voices in the background. “I saw a room on y’all’s website. It looks like a big old great room with a TV and a bunch of bunk beds built into the wall. Could we get something like that, only with adult beds, too?”

“That’s the Tumbleweed Room. It has three bunk beds and a sleeper sofa, along with two connecting rooms, the Right as Rain and the Rest a Spell Rooms, with a queen bed in each.”

“That sounds perfect.” Relief filled the woman’s tone.

Landry tried to keep it all business, despite the elation building inside her. “How many nights would you need it?”

“We’ll stay a week and check out next Wednesday. Please tell me you have something. We could go three double rooms with two queen beds in each.”

“Three rooms would cost less, but the Tumbleweed Room and both connecting rooms are available.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful. Having the great room will be worth it.”

Definitely. Landry confirmed the dates. “I have an all-inclusive package with as many activities such as trail rides, fishing trips and bonfires as you’d like, plus three meals a day for the duration of your stay.” She rattled off rates she knew by heart.

“That’s just what we’re looking for.”

Landry could hardly contain her excitement as she entered the lady’s info into the computer. “That’s everything I need. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you.” Landry pushed End.

“A nice reservation, I take it.”

“I just booked the Tumbleweed Room, the Right as Rain Room and the Rest a Spell Room for a week. And there are six kids. They’re getting the all-inclusive package.”

“Awesome.”

Her cell phone rang. She leaned back, dug it out of her pocket, scanned the screen. Devree.

“Hey, sis. How’s it going?”

“You were supposed to call me once you got settled in.”

“Sorry.” She winced. Had completely forgotten. “It’s been busy here.”

“Are you coming home for your birthday?”

“I’m kind of busy running a dude ranch.” Half of one, anyway. “I mean, helping run.”

“Are you coming home anytime soon?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Tell me about the partner.”

“Maybe some other time.” Her gaze flitted to Chase. Watching her.

“Oh, so he’s there. Is he cute?”

Landry’s face heated. She spun her chair, kept her back to him. “I’m sort of busy right now.”

“He is, isn’t he?”

“Devree. Was there a reason you called?”

Her sister’s sigh echoed through the line.

Landry’s pulse went up a notch. “Are Mama and Daddy okay?”

“Everybody’s fine here. But I have to tell you something, because I don’t want you to hear it somewhere else. I don’t want to tell you, but you need to know.” Her sister always rambled when nervous. “I was hoping to tell you in person.”

“Just tell me.”

“It’s Kyle. He’s engaged.”

Landry’s stomach landed at her feet.

“Are you still there?”

“I’m here.” Her voice didn’t sound right. It was hollow. Just like her insides.

“I’m sorry, Landry. I just thought you should know.”

“It’s okay.” Kyle had moved on—planned to marry someone else just over ten months after humiliating her at the altar. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Thanks for telling me, but I need to get back to work now.”

“Call me if you need me.”

“I will. Love you.”

“You, too.”

She ended the call, just sat there, staring out the window.

Her insides boiled. But not with hurt. Anger more than anything else.

“Is something wrong?”

She jumped. For once, she’d forgotten all about Chase.

“Nothing. Everything’s fine.” She kept her back to him. She couldn’t process this under his scrutiny. Didn’t have the strength to spar with him.

If only she could melt through the floor.

* * *

What had her sister said? Obviously something upsetting. Chase watched her. So still.

Minutes passed with her back still toward him. Finally she turned her chair to the desk, her face a blank slate. She stared at the computer screen, moved the mouse, then began typing.

Was it his imagination or had she gone pale? Should he quietly leave the room? Or try to help?

“You sure you’re okay?”

“Just tired.”

It seemed like way more than that.

“I can handle anything that turns up if you want to turn in.” He kept his tone gentle.

“I think I will.” She got up and quickly scurried out of the room.