Page 84 of A Sunny Sweetheart for the Cowboy

Paisley managed to clear her throat. “I’m pleased to meet you.”

“So, you’re the girl who’s captured my Weston.” The woman tilted her head as she looked up at Paisley.

“Yes?” The word came out a squeak. “I mean, we’ve only just begun dating.”

The man stuck out his hand. “Nice to see my nephew has good taste. I’m Reggie Evans.”

“Hi.” Paisley shook his hand, wincing a little at the cool, light touch.

“So.” Reggie stuck his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels as he looked around. “This is what the Sullivans are up to, huh?”

“Yes?”

“It’s a beautiful, busy place,” Nadine said.

If there was a little defensiveness in her tone, who could blame her?

“Well, that’s nice for you, sis.” Reg studied her. “But from what I hear, your old man is working you to a bone.”

“Not so, little brother. I have all the kitchen help I could possibly want, and I love what I do here.”

He grunted, but just then Mr. Sullivan came up behind Nadine, his eyes fixed on Eleanor. He glanced at Reg. “Thank you for bringing your mother.”

“Uh, you’re welcome. Wanted to see the place for myself.”

Paisley was sure he did. Probably trying to figure out if he could get a piece of the Sullivan action. Ugh, did that make her mercenary, too? But it hadn’t been Weston’s connections that had drawn her to him. First, it had been the challenge of making him smile, but long before she’d succeeded, she’d begun to see depth in the surly cowboy. Money was nice, but Weston was so much more than a bank account.

“Feel free to have a look around, Reginald.” Mr. Sullivan took Eleanor’s arm, turning to cut Reg out neatly. “You look lovely today, my dear. Let me escort you. What would you like to see first?”

Reg glowered but said nothing.

Nadine touched her brother’s arm. “Want a coffee? There’s a large urn right over there, and I hear the cinnamon rolls are fabulous.”

“A coffee sounds good.”

Nadine winked at Paisley as she led her brother away.

Paisley took another look around the area. Things seemed under control. Surely, she could sneak off to the stables and make sure everything was in readiness for the gymkhana events coming soon.

And maybe kiss a certain cowboy and warn him his uncle wasn’t completely happy.

Weston channeled his old grumpy self as the day wore on. Paisley had been by earlier, but his focus had to be on keeping kids seated on their mounts while attempting to run barrels. Then she’d disappeared along with her entourage of teens and tweens while others gathered round for the afternoon trail ride.

He could’ve asked Darrell to lead that. Nearly did, but something about knowing there were hundreds of people milling about on the lodge lawn kept him glued to the fringes.

“Hey, need a hand?”

Weston turned at the sound of Graham’s voice and let his eyebrows rise. “You’re offering to ride?” That might make it the fourth time ever. Would the guy even be any help?

“Sure. If I can ride Kennedy or Mirage.” Graham gave a mock shudder… but was it feigned? “So long as it’s not Ranger, but I figure I’m safe there.”

Weston chuckled. The sight of his cousin lifted his spirits in a surprising way. Maybe he was finally getting used to this extended family thing when Graham’s presence made him feel like he was doing something useful instead of being sidelined. He knew his job was important. Maybe not as important as Graham’s as CFO — who wanted to be stuck staring at a computer in an office with columns of numbers for company? Not Weston, that’s who.

“I think both those are assigned, but I can hook you up with Nutmeg. She’s new this spring, and she’s a sweet, gentle ride.”

“Then why isn’t she already assigned?”

“Waiting for you, I guess, unless you’d rather ride Ranger?” Weston couldn’t keep the smirk off his face as he recalled Graham’s one attempt to stay atop Weston’s restless gelding.

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