Page 3 of The Cowboy’s Reckoning

The meeting was a formality because her lease continued no matter who owned the property, but she was so used to things going sideways that she couldn’t help a stab of anxiety. Plus, she had matters to address, which added another level of apprehension. Before this meeting was over, she and the new owner were going to come to an understanding of what was necessary on his part to be in compliance with the terms of the ground lease.

She hoped it would be a collaborative meeting, but if it wasn’t, she’d have to hold ground. She’d let things slide for too long due to the late owner’s illness and her older sister, Maya, leaving the man’s employ. Now that his heir was taking over, things would be different. The ranch that she was coming to love would get the maintenance it deserved.

*

“It could be a lot of fun,” Aubrey said over her shoulder as she led the way into the Graff Hotel four hours later. The hotel bar was surprisingly crowded, considering the fact that it was only eight o’clock.

“Sounds like it,” Meg answered as they made their way to a table.

On the walk from the pizza parlor to the hotel, Aubrey had explained how her grandmother was looking for a logistics person to travel with her and some friends on an Alaskan cruise in the fall, hinting that Meg might be the perfect person to wrangle the group.

“I can take Meg’s place on the ranch while she’s gone,” Aubrey said to Lil, as if that would sweeten the deal.

“Right,” Lil replied, barely suppressing an eyeroll.

Aubrey’s ranch skills were nil, and she was afraid of cows.

“I’d love to travel with your grandmother,” Meg said earnestly. “The only problem is that I doubt that the school district will let me take time off at the beginning of the academic year.”

“You got the job?” Aubrey asked on a gasp.

Meg beamed. “Got the call two days ago and I sign papers tomorrow. I’ll be officially employed!”

Aubrey turned to Lil, suddenly serious. “Can you handle the ranch alone?”

“The stuff that needs to be done,” Lil assured her.

“Good, because I was totally lying about taking Meg’s place.”

“No kidding.” Meg’s smile suddenly froze as a group of people vacated the table next to them, giving her a clear view of the bar. “That’s him!”

Lil turned to see three men standing near the bar. “Who?”

“The spy.”

Aubrey pushed her glasses down to look over the top. “That’s Jordan Matthews. He’s local and harmless.” She bit the edge of her lip as she canted her head to one side. “I take that back. Not harmless. He’s broken countless hearts, mostly by accident. But he’s cowboy through and through. Not a stalker or anything.”

“Jordan Matthews?” Lil gave Aubrey a stunned look. “That’s the name of my new landlord.”

“No way.” Aubrey gave her head an adamant shake. “I mean … No. Way.”

“Why?”

“Jordan’s dad died in jail years ago. The guy was a cattle thief of all things.”

“Wow,” Lil said softly, studying the dark-haired cowboy.

He was strikingly handsome, with chiseled cheekbones and a pirate-y smile that flashed as he talked to his friends.

“What about his mom?” Meg asked, obviously intrigued by the cattle thief angle.

“She also died,” Aubrey said, “which is why a local rancher adopted Jordan when he was little. He was two years ahead of me in school. His origin story made him double romantic, you know. Being drop-dead gorgeous didn’t hurt either.”

Lil tried to keep from staring, but the guy was an eyeful, with a perfect profile, easy smile, and a holy-shit build.

She blew out a breath. “I wasn’t expecting … him.”

“It can’t be him,” Aubrey said.