Page 18 of Protecting Little Phoebe

“It was nothing. Forget I said anything. How are you? Are Isla and Marcus all right?”

“They’re fine. I wouldn’t allow them to be otherwise. But I wanted to know how your trip to Rawhide went. Did you meet anyone?”

“No. Well, maybe.”

“Maybe?” Eliot asked.

“I didn’t meet someone at Rawhide, but I met her when she was on her way there. Her vehicle broke down.”

“Obviously she made an impression.”

“She was very sweet and kind. So open and bubbly and adorable.” Shit. Could he hear himself?

“Please tell me you got her phone number? Does she live somewhere close? Have you called her?”

“Wow. Slow down, I only met her once. I don’t even know her. Although she is rather open about her life, so I probably know more about her than I would someone else after a few dates.”

“That’s good for you. The last thing you need is someone secretive in your life.”

No. He’d experienced enough secrets with Krystal to last him a lifetime. “She’s not in my life. She’s a girl I met for a few hours who I helped out of a sticky situation.”

And who called you her Knight in Pressed Pants. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t like that nickname. “And she is literally a girl. I’m old enough to be her father.”

“And there’s something wrong with being with someone younger than you?”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

He needed to watch what he said. Isla and Marcus were far younger than Eliot. “No, of course not.”

“I know it’s strange to come out of a long-term relationship and think of being with someone else. I never thought I would, but I know that Anna wouldn’t want me to be miserable. She’d want me to be happy.”

“Of course she would. I don’t think Krystal is wishing happiness on me.”

“No, she took all of your happiness and it’s time to get it back. It might be with this girl, or it might not. But don’t rule her out simply because she’s younger. Maybe you’re whatsheneeds, did you ever think about that?”

“Well, if she’s been thinking about me then how come she won’t answer her phone?”

“She might be busy? Or her phone might be off?” Eliot suggested.

Barren groaned, running his hand over his face. “Yeah, it’s possible. Still, I have no way to contact her if she doesn’t answer her phone and I’m heading into stalker territory if I keep ringing.”

“You could call Rawhide Ranch to check on her,” Eliot suggested.

“Again, heading into stalker territory.”

“And they likely wouldn’t tell you anything as it would breach her privacy. You could go for another visit?”

“What if she wants nothing to do with me?”

“Just… don’t let what Krystal said about you affect the way you feel about yourself or getting into another relationship. She’s a liar and a manipulator. Maybe this girl isn’t the one. But there will be someone out there.”

Uh-huh. Sure. He ended the call as his assistant knocked on his door.

“Hey, Melly.”

“I’ve got Mr. Lancaster on the phone,” she told him. “He wants to speak to you again about finding a buyer for his company and why they can’t proceed further.”

“Jesus, I explained to him that all of the owners have to agree to the sale. What does he expect me to do? I’m not going to find a buyer if the company isn’t actually for sale. Anyway, arrange another Zoom meeting with him, will you? But make it next week when I have more patience.”

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