Page 8 of Old-Fashioned Rancher

That’s your problem, Grady, Diana told me as she signed the divorce papers. You always loved the land more than you ever loved me. There isn’t enough room in your heart for both of us.

I closed my eyes against the memory. Deep down, I knew she was right. That’s why dating after our separation had felt so…pointless. If I ever remarried—as impossible as that sounded—I needed a woman who loved this land as much as I did.

My gaze slid toward Birdie again, studying her. Whether I felt attracted to her or not, my judgment about women had led me astray once before. Diana didn’t like the ranch life, and I couldn’t imagine Birdie would either in that snug plaid skirt. She was a florist, for God’s sake. Not a rancher.

The thunder of hooves echoed in the distance. I lifted my gaze and turned north toward the sound until I spotted Avery on horseback, racing across the field with a whoop of laughter. My foreman, Bowen, was close on her heels. He could have easily overtaken her if he let his horse have its head, but he kept a tight rein and held back, letting Avery outpace him.

They skidded to a stop by the barn in a cloud of dust. Avery circled her horse around Bowen, savoring her victory. He simply watched her with a small smile playing on his lips, one hand resting on the pommel of his saddle.

Raising my daughter around a bunch of rowdy cowboys hadn’t been easy. I watched them like a hawk, making it clear in no uncertain terms that if they laid a finger on Avery, they were dead meat.

I was never concerned about Bowen though. He was the most trustworthy man I’d ever met, loyal to a fault. Shadowing my daughter around the ranch for years to keep her out of trouble.

I let out a piercing whistle to get Avery’s attention. Her head snapped up. I waved her over. She said something to Bowen and he nodded. After she dismounted from her horse, she passed the reins to him.

Avery wiped her hands on her jeans and jogged over.

“You must be Avery,” Birdie said, extending her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Birdie.”

“Hey, glad to see you made it all the way out here. And my father hasn’t scared you off yet.”

“Oh, he certainly tried to get rid of me, but I wouldn’t let him off the hook that easily.”

“Stop talking about me while I’m standing right here,” I interjected.

“Poor Dad. We haven’t forgotten about you, I promise.”

Avery grinned and wrapped her arms around my middle. I sighed, knowing damn well that she purposefully put me in this position, thanks to that note on the kitchen table.

Gone for a ride with Bowen. Be back around noon.

That gave her plenty of time to dodge the appointment with the florist, leaving it entirely on my shoulders. Not that I minded meeting with Birdie. That wasn’t the point. I cast a stern look in Avery’s direction, as if to say, you and I are going to have a serious talk after this.

She didn’t even bat an eye.

“So, did you get the flowers sorted out?”

With no help from you, I thought, but I bit my tongue and held it back. For now. She’d hear about it later.

“We did,” Birdie said. “Sunflowers, snapdragons, and evergreens. It’s going to be stunning. I’ll send you a cost estimate later today.”

“I can’t wait to see them.” Without missing a beat, Avery added, “Why don’t you stick around for lunch? We’d love to have you.”

I bit back a growl, knowing damn well what Avery was up to. She was putting me in an impossible situation. Again. If I didn’t support her invitation, I would appear cold and rude, when Birdie had been nothing but warm and welcoming.

To my relief—and a small prickle of disappointment—Birdie waved her off.

“That’s such a kind offer, but I really have to get back to the shop. I’ve stayed away too long already. But if either of you have any questions or concerns about the flowers, just give me a call and I’ll be happy to help.”

“We’re really looking forward to seeing those arrangements, and thank you for coming all the way out here.” Avery jabbed her elbow into my ribs. “Dad will walk you to your car.”

I scowled at Avery. I was supposed to be the one giving the orders around here. But I fell into step beside Birdie anyway without protest.

As soon as we were out of Avery’s hearing range, Birdie spoke with a note of amusement in her voice.

“Does your daughter usually try to marry you off to any woman that crosses your path?”

I grunted as my neck prickled with embarrassment. It was bad enough for Avery to put me on the spot like that, but the fact that Birdie noticed made the whole ordeal worse.

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