Page 5 of My Rancher Valentine

“Oh, most of our lives,” I answered before Kat could speak up and give everything away. “We grew up together, but it wasn’t until recently that things took a turn.”

“Real recently.” She agreed. “It almost feels like just yesterday. Some might even say today.”

“Come now, Kitten, you know it’s been longer than that.” I teased.

She didn’t respond. “If you all will excuse me. I have a job to do.” She pulled away, but I held onto her hand.

“My lovely future bride is a very talented reporter.” I smiled.

“Really?” Randall smiled. “That probably makes it easy for the two of you to be together.”

“Oh, yeah.” She nodded. “There are times it feels as if I can’t get away from him.” Her smile was bordering on hysterical.

I laughed. “She is such a kidder. It’s one of the things I love about her.”

“If you have time tonight, perhaps we could take you both to dinner.” Randall offered. That was a turn.

“I don’t...” she started.

“We’d love that,” I spoke over her. “Let’s meet at Oceanwave Bistro.”

“Sounds great.” Randall smiled.

“If you will excuse us, I should walk my love out to the arena.” I held Kat tight. Dear gracious, she felt amazing tucked under my arm. If I thought I was attracted to her before, it was nothing compared to the few minutes of pretending we were more. I could quickly see how this was going to bite me in the ass if I wasn’t careful.

“Of course.” Randall nodded again. “We will see you both later.”

“Sure will.” I pulled Kat away.

She barely waited until we were out of earshot before she ripped herself away and turned to face me.

“YOU!” She advanced toward me, and for a second, I wondered if she really was going to skin me alive. “Give me one good reason, Beau Wynters, why I shouldn’t kill you right this instant.”

I held my hands up. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but I really need your help, Kitty Kat.”

“I told you not to call me that.”

I blew out a breath. “Kat, I really need you to do this for me.” I dropped my smile. “I need this sponsorship, and the only way I can get it is to prove my reputation isn’t as bad as they believe.”

“But it is as bad as they believe.” She reminded me. “You’ve spent most of your life cultivating said reputation. Why wouldyou think I would ever help you now that it’s come back to bite you in the ass?”

I didn’t think I had ever heard a curse word come out of Kathleen Depner’s mouth. She must really be upset.

I gritted my teeth. I knew she believed all the surrounding hype too, but I guess I hoped she saw beyond all the rumors to the boy she had known all her life.

“I know it isn’t your responsibility to help me, but come on, Kat. Can’t you help a friend out for old times’ sake?”

“We aren’t friends.” She pointed out. “We’ve never been friends.”

Her words stung like a son of a bitch. We never ran in the same circles, but I had thought we were friends. Especially after she started covering the rodeo circuit.

“Then can you do it because you are a nice person?” I tried appealing to her generous side.

She closed her eyes and let her head fall backward. I could see her lips moving, but couldn’t hear a sound. It took a moment, but she lifted her face and looked me in the eye.

“I do this and you stop calling me Kitty Kat,” she said. “You stop pushing my buttons, and I get an exclusive with you and those guys the minute the ink is dry on the contract.” She held out her hand to shake. I took it in mine and sealed our deal.

“You got it, Kitten.” I winked at her.

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