Page 22 of My Rancher Valentine

“And we know it might be a little irregular, but we were thinking, if there’s room, we would love to join you for your engagement party.” Leonard raised an eyebrow. “It would give us a chance to meet your whole family.”

“But it’s not for two weeks,” I pointed out.

“We know.” He didn’t back down.

“But that’s Valentine’s Day” Kat added. I hadn’t realized that until she said it.

“Our wives will actually be in town as well.” Leonard smiled.

“Well, won’t that be special?” She pulled into a long breath and turned to me. “Isn’t that great, babe?”

“It sure is.” I nodded.

“You know how important family is to us,” Leonard continued. “For us, it’s about everyone. What better place to get to know everyone than at a party?”

“That does make sense.” Kat nodded.

“Yes, it does.” This was getting a little out of hand. “Look, the thing is...”

“We would need to talk to our family to make sure first.” Kat jumped in, squeezing my hand.

“No, that isn’t it.” I knew what she was trying to do, but I couldn’t let her keep going with this. It was far above what I had asked her to do in the beginning. If I wanted to prove to her that this was real and that I was good enough for her, then I couldn’t keep going with this charade.

“I...”

“Can you give us a moment?” Kat spoke before I started.

“Sure thing.” Randall nodded.

“Mhmm.” Leonard agreed. Both of them walked out.

I waited long enough to make sure they wouldn’t be able to hear us.

“What are you doing?” I turned to face her.

“What’s wrong?” She asked instead of answering my question.

“I don’t want you to have to keep going with this just because Leonard is being an ass,” I told her. “Why didn’t you let me tell them the truth?”

“That isn’t what I’m talking about.” She shook her head. “Something was wrong when we walked in. What is it?”

I walked around her to pick up the brush. “There’s nothing wrong.”

“Beau.” Silence stood between us. “Beau.” She repeated my name. “If you think I’m going to drop this, then as my friend, that is one of the first things you need to learn about me.”

“What’s that?” I brushed the back of Valentine.

“That I’m very tenacious. It’s what makes me a good reporter.”

“You’re a brilliant reporter.” I didn’t miss a beat replying.

“All the more reason you should just answer my question.” I looked to the side to see her standing there with her arms crossed, staring back at me.

“It isn’t important.”

“Let me be the judge.” She didn’t back down.

“Devon just said some things to me.” There was no way I was going to tell her what he said.

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