Page 31 of The Guy Who Stole My Ranch

With the thought came Brooke’s smiling lips, her adorable hair, and her very distracting curves.

Courtney’s eyes went wide. “Wait, is there a woman?”

“No.” I said it with a totally straight face. “There are several.” Betsy counted, right?

Courtney slumped back in her chair and looked at the ceiling.

My stomach lurched as the plane got closer to the ground. I decided to distract Courtney from her line of questioning and started through the list of things I’d passed to her. “Remember, you’re the point person on the Luxury Holdings negotiations.”

This time she gave me a flat stare. “Yes, thank you for leaving me that mess.”

“It’s Father’s fault.” He was still pushing for this Luxury Holdings company in Chicago. “Don’t be afraid to walk away.”

Courtney’s brown eyes narrowed. “Don’t worry, I can handle them.”

I had no doubt.

We both had business degrees from prestigious universities, and we were both good at what we did. If I had to be truthful, Courtney was better at it than I was. I had a reputation for being unbendable, but fair. She could be downright ruthless when she needed to be. I continued. “The board meeting is Friday.”

“Boring,” Courtney said. “But I’ll be there.”

“Try not to frighten them.”

She made a face. “You’re a fun-killer.”

If I had anything to say about it, the next week would be all sorts of fun. Not only did I get to hang out on a ranch with horses, but I got to be with Brooke.

The plane touched down with barely a bounce.

“You sure you don’t want to tell me where you’re going?” Courtney asked.

“I’ve got my phone.” I did not disclose the fact that I’d disabled the tracker. I also had my laptop but didn’t want to use it unless I had to. “Call me if you have any issues.”

She waved a hand. “I’ve got this, big brother.”

I smiled. “I have every confidence in you.”

She returned my smile with one of her own. “Thanks.”

Our plane stopped, and Patrick came from the other compartment. “Ready?” he asked.

I’d tried to leave him behind, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He had a drowsy looking Frank on a lead. Brooke was picking me up—she’d insisted we get to work right away—but Patrick and Frank were going to rent a car and check into the hotel.

I stood and buttoned my suit jacket. I’d brought clothes suitable for a farm, but I’d been afraid Courtney would figure something out if I wore them on the plane. There was a change of outfits in my laptop bag.

“Have fun,” Courtney said as I headed toward the door, which Patrick had just opened.

I stopped. “Remember, I’m in Colorado.”

She rolled her eyes. “As long as you answer mom’s phone calls and they don’t get any emergency texts from your people, they won’t care where you are.”

She had a point. “Have fun in California.”

Courtney flashed me a wicked grin. “Oh, I will.”

I felt bad for the branch she was meeting with. They’d been lax in some of their reports. After she was finished with them, it wouldn’t happen again.

“Your ride is here,” Patrick said as he waved me out.

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