Page 4 of My Rancher Valentine

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just thinking it might be easier to discuss things over a slice of pie than in an office.” I cleared my throat. This wasn’t going great at all.

Neither of them said anything more. Randall’s eyes traveled around the stalls, and Leonard looked down at his watch. For allthe bravo I showed in the saddle, I sucked at business. This was my sister’s area. If Hailey was here, she would have them eating out of her hand like a horse craving oats. That was why she handled all my sponsorship deals.

“How about tonight, then?” I tried. “We can find a nice restaurant, my treat, and just talk.”

Leonard blew out a haggard breath. “Look, Beau, this isn’t about talent. We all know how good you are. We just don’t think you are the right fit for our brand.”

Damn. “That can’t be. I love Patchwork Leather. I wear it all the time.” I pointed to the belt resting on my waist.

“This isn’t about what you do while you’re riding,” Randall said. “This is about the reputation you’ve gained outside the rodeo.” He thinned out his lips. “It doesn’t match with what we represent.”

Fuck me.All this because I happen to like women and they liked me too. That reputation was built years ago. I was getting sick of people holding it against me.

“Guys, every sport, every competition, has to have the bad boy.” I tried to turn this around. “My reputation is just for show.”

“Really?” Randall didn’t look convinced.

“Really.” I took in a long breath and lowered my voice. “In fact, I’m actually engaged.” Words were flying out of my mouth faster than I could think them through. That had to be it. There was no other reason I would make up a fiancee right there in the back of the arena.

“Engaged? You?” Leonard looked less convinced than his business partner.

“Yes.” It was too late to back down now. “We’ve been keeping it under wraps until I can change things up. It’s one of the many reasons I believe having you sponsor me next season will make this easier.”

Leonard crossed his arms. His eyes were already little lines of vision. “And who is the woman? Surely she’s here supporting you.”

That would be the part I hadn’t thought about. Where the hell was I going to get a fiancee this fast? It wasn’t as if I could walk up to a complete stranger and ask her to pretend to be in love with me. There was no telling how that could end.

“She’s...” I glanced around, looking for someone, anyone, that could work.

Fate must have been on my side because just as my eyes landed on Kat, she hugged Maddie, who walked off in the opposite direction.

“She’s right there talking to a friend.” I pointed to the two women waving to each other.

Maddie might have been the easier one to convince, but it wouldn’t be near as much fun as spending the day getting Kat to pretend to adore me. It might also give me a chance to prove to her I wasn’t the villain she believed me to be. Add in that I didn’t want to mess up my friendship with Maddie’s brother or her cousin, and Kat was the clear winner.

“That’s your fiancee?” Leonard really wasn’t buying this at all. I had a feeling he wasn’t going to believe me until he saw a ring on Kat’s finger.

“Yes, let me introduce you.” I turned toward her before she could walk away. “There you are, sweetheart.”

The expression on her face said it all. If I didn’t get to her fast, she was going to blow the whole thing. As it was, this was going to be a hard sell. Not only to Randall and Leonard, but to Kat. And god forbid Momma, and my sister Daph found out. All of them would join forces and skin me alive.

Who’s brilliant idea had this been? Oh yeah, mine.

“Just play along, Kitten,” I whispered in her ear. I didn’t hide my reaction to how soft her skin felt against mine. We weresupposed to be getting married, after all. It would make sense that touching her made me shiver.

I pulled back with my eyes locked on hers. Damn, this really was a stupid idea. Had I ever touched her face before? I couldn’t have. There was no way I would forget the feeling of her so close.

Introductions were made and thankfully, Kat held it together. At least she did until Randall congratulated her on our engagement. I brushed my lips over her cheek. Her skin was even softer against my lips.

“I figured it didn’t make sense to keep it all to ourselves.”

Her coal-grey eyes looked pitch black as she stared at me. I could feel her doing something with her hands, but I didn’t look down. If she was planning my demise, I didn’t want to know ahead of time.

“Well, isn’t that something?” She got out between clenched teeth.

“Yes, it is.” Fool that I am, I winked at her. “I know it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” I couldn’t resist another kiss on her cheek.

“How long have you two been together?” Leonard asked.

---