Page 93 of The Backup Bride Proposal

“What are you doing out here?” Adam asked.

“Just…wandering. Is there something you need me to do?”

He shook his head. “You’re not here to work. Enjoying yourself?”

“Yes. You have an amazing ranch. Thank you for letting me come here.”

He studied her, his face all craggy lines and years of wisdom. “My grandson’s lucky to have you in his life.”

Momentarily shocked, she didn’t know what to say. But then she found her voice. “Thank you. I feel pretty lucky being part of his life, too.”

“Because of his movies?”

She laughed. “Honestly? I think that’s the least interesting thing about Kane.”

Adam tilted his head back and laughed, then turned and headed back toward the main arenas, so she walked with him. “That’s what we all think. I always wanted him to be a rancher, but the kid followed his own path.”

“A lot of us do. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’ve watched a couple of his movies. He’s a very good actor and he can embody a role very well. But I don’t think that defines everything he is as a person. He has so much more to offer.”

“No wonder he likes you. I’ll bet you challenge him, too.”

Her lips curved. “I try my best.”

They reached one of the arenas and stopped. Adam laid his hand on her arm. “You keep doing that. My Elizabeth, she kept me on my toes every day of her life. I miss that.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Me, too. But I got good memories of Ellie and me, and those will last me until we’re together again.”

“That’s a sweet perspective, Adam.”

“It’s what keeps me going every day.”

“What keeps you going every day?”

Mae looked over to see that Kane had asked that question. She hadn’t even heard him come up to them.

“Coffee and the occasional whiskey before bed, kid,” Adam said. “Where you been?”

He motioned with his head toward a spot off to the north. “I took the tractor and cleared some brush on that spot you wanted to build at. Got it mostly cleared, but wanted to talk to you about digging a trench.”

“Okay. I’ll be along in a bit. I want to see how this training is going first.”

“Sure.”

Kane walked away without asking Mae to come with him. She wondered if he was upset with her, so she followed, nearly jogging to keep up with his long-legged stride.

“Hey,” she said, but he was still about six steps ahead of her. “Kane.”

But still, he kept walking, which was starting to irritate her.

“Kane. Stop. Dammit, stop.” She ran and grabbed his arm, squeezing it. “I said stop.”

He frowned. “What?”

“What do you mean, what? I’ve been running this whole time to keep up with you, calling your name, asking you to stop. And you ask mewhat? What the hell is going on with you?”

“Nothing. I’m…busy.”

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