Page 3 of My Rancher Valentine

“Beau has told us all about the two of you, and we just wanted to extend our congratulations.” The other one took my hand when his friend let go.

“Congratulations?”

“On the engagement.” He nodded. “Beau just shared the happy news.”

“Who’s engagement?” I had a really bad feeling I already knew.

“Ours, Kitten.” Beau kissed my cheek. “I figured it didn’t make sense to keep it all to ourselves.”

I felt my fingers curling at the thought of marrying Beau Wynters. I wasn’t fourteen and crushing on the town jock anymore.

“Well, isn’t that something?”

“Yes, it is.” He winked at me, and I decided right then and there I was going to strangle him just as soon as I could get away with it.

Chapter 2

Beau

Iknew Kat was watching me walk away. If I had been a girl, I would have put more wiggle in my walk, but being a guy, there wasn’t much I could do. It was too bad. That girl had been driving me crazy with her mousy exterior since ninth grade when I discovered girls did not, in fact, have cooties.

After graduation, I had expected her to get her degree and become something simple. Maybe a librarian or work in the bookstore. Not that there was anything wrong with either profession, and Kat had always walked around with a book under her nose. You could have knocked me over when she showed up at the rodeo with her hair pulled back and looking like a nerdy wet dream. If only she would let loose. I had a feeling there was a wildcat hidden just under the surface, and I’d kill to be the one that set her off.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to keep messing with her today. Not when the head honchos from Patchwork Leather just walked in.

I have been trying to get a meeting with them since the beginning of last year. I needed a new big sponsor. One with a big name that wasn’t the same as my last one. I appreciated the smaller sponsors I already had, but Patchwork would give some legitimacy to my riding. They had stores all over the country, and everyone loved their products. From belts to coats to boots. If itwas leather, they manufactured it right here in Brexley, and that was what I wanted.

Besides, it wasn’t as if I wasn’t grateful for my family’s help, but they were never going to see my riding as more than a weekend hobby if I didn’t grab any other big-name sponsors’ attention.

“Randall.” I held my hand out when they looked over at me. “Leonard.” We shook hands. “Glad to see you here today.”

“Wynters.” Both greeted me. “Should have known you’d have your hat in the ring today.” Randall laughed. Everyone knew him as the friendlier of the two.

“Of course.” I didn’t bother pointing out they were less than an hour from my hometown. They already knew that. “I never miss the Brexley Winter Fair.”

“Neither do we.” Randall nodded. “We should actually be getting to our seats.”

“Right. Yes, of course.” If I didn’t jump now, who knew when I would get to talk to them again? “Listen, I was hoping to get a sit down with you all about next season’s sponsorships.”

“We are still in the decision process about next season,” Leonard said curtly.

“Naturally.” I smiled. “I would just love to talk. Maybe you could come out to the ranch. My mother would love to have you all visit.” I knew how much they valued family. It was one of the company mottos, and if anyone understood family business, it was me.

“That’s awful kind of you, but to be honest, that isn’t how we do things.” Randall shook his head.

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