Page 102 of Dark Horse

“The relic that we discussed last year and the one I found. We need to find out if there are any others like them.” Charlotte casts a sideways glance at Beatrix. “Is she vetted?”

The question is directed at Hazel, but Beatrix shifts herattention to Charlotte when she realizes she’s the one being talked about.

“I’ve signed NDAs with Finn and Ramsey as their PR rep for their brands, and Hazel and I have our own agreement because of the project we’re working on. Do you need me to add an addendum?”

“This is a separate project. I work as their art consultant, and this industry is very protective of its insider information,” Charlotte responds without missing a beat.

“Understood.” Beatrix nods. “But if I can ask a question?”

“You can ask.” Charlotte raises a brow in question. I suspect she has little intention of answering.

“Did you say relics? Like the kind from saints and things?”

“Yes,” Charlotte answers easily.

“My sister-in-law specializes in medieval art and hagiographies. If you need someone, I’m happy to put you in touch with her. She’ll be in town this week while we’re shopping for… dresses.” Beatrix hesitates because she’s planning her own wedding and is worried it’s a sensitive subject.

“I’d appreciate that.” Charlotte’s face softens and half a smile appears.

“I’m still invited, right? You’re not gonna ice me out from dress shopping because you’re worried about me being sad?” Hazel eyes Beatrix as she chugs her water.

“As long as you’re up for it, I want you there.” Beatrix looks at Hazel sincerely and then turns to me. “You’re welcome to come too if you need a field trip. But I should get home. I need to prepare for a meeting with a potential new client this afternoon. Hazel, let me know your thoughts on those new plans I sent over to you.”

“I’ll look over them with Ramsey tonight. But we’ll probably want to run them by the siblings, too, and well, you know…” Hazel trails off. She had plans for expanding the inn’s footprint at the ranch, but now everything’s in disarray until we get it sorted.

“We can wait a while. No problem at all.” Beatrix gives Hazel a thoughtful smile and then turns to Charlotte. “Your property is gorgeous. Thanks for letting me run, and I’ll send that contact info to Hazel for you.”

“Nice to meet you.” Charlotte waves her off and then turns her attention back to me. “All right. Let’s get down in my office and see what we can research in the meantime.”

“If you two are working, I’ll catch up later. I’ve got to get ready and then run to the store. Text me if you need anything.” Hazel waves at us and takes off.

“Want me to order dinner in tonight?” Finn asks from the corner of the room, nearly forgotten as the rest of us plot to help Hudson and Grant.

“That would be appreciated. Maybe one of those family meals from one of the Italian places?” Charlotte’s eyes fall over Finn.

“Hudson’s gonna start getting jealous if you don’t order from Kelly’s.” Kelly’s is the steakhouse Hudson owns in town. Hazel had explained to me on the flight over that it’s where she had met Charlotte and Hudson for the first time.

“Hudson’s not here, so who’s going to tell him?” Something silent passes between them. “Besides, he’ll just decide he needs to buy the Italian place or start his own. I wouldn’t hate that.”

“He doesn’t need another project.” Finn rolls his eyes and puts his glass in the sink before he comes over and kisses Charlotte on the cheek. “I’ll take care of dinner. Let me know if you need anything else.”

I watch Finn disappear, and then I stand to join Charlotte, dropping my coffee mug in the sink alongside the other glasses.

“You’re honestly my idol, you know that?” I grin at her as we walk down the hall.

Charlotte presses her lips together and shakes her head. “Trust me. In theory, it sounds good, but in practice, it’s a lot of household politics and negotiations.”

“Can I ask a question?”

“You can ask.” She looks ahead as we walk. It’s her favorite phrase. The woman is nothing if not cagey in her answers, but I’m hoping eventually she’ll warm up to me and share some of her secrets. Hudson and Grant seem to be so much alike in so many ways, and I’m happy to eat up any advice she wants to give.

“Does it ever get easier? Or are they always hypocrites about the risk-taking?”

“Hudson’s always hated the risks I take, but he’s learned to accept that this is who I am. In the same way that I’ve had to accept it about him and Rowan. If I thought about every single thing they did, I’d die of worry, and I have way too many things I need to do in life to die yet.”

“Well, we have that in common.” I grin at her.

“Then it’s a good day to start focusing on what you want.”

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