Page 9 of Caden's Situationship

Malakai nodded. “You won’t.”

The sound of my alarm that someone had passed my property line caused us all to glance out my kitchen window.

“Expecting someone?” Crayson asked.

I almost told them nah, when I remembered that I’d gotten a call yesterday. “There’s an investment firm from Texas who’s interested in contributing to the expansion of the ranch.”

“To allow for veterans and their families to stay?” Malakai asked.

I nodded. “Yep. He mentioned sending a rep to the ranch to get a better feel for the property. And I still need to sign the contract.”

“Why didn’t they just email the contract?” Crayson asked.

I shrugged. “You know me. I would rather have a face-to-face with things like this. The rep was due to arrive later today, but I guess he’s early.”

“Or she,” Malakai corrected as a woman stepped out of her vehicle.

“What the fuck is she wearing?” Crayson asked. “Looks like a bottle of lemonade had a fight with a sewing machine.”

Malakai shook his head. “That doesn’t make sense, but yeah, she looks a little crazy wearing that outfit out here in Cranberry Heights. Wonder if folks saw her in town yet.”

“They had to,” I stated. “She had to pass through town to get to here, and you can see that dress even when she’s seated in the car.” My eyes widened as I suddenly remembered, “I saw this woman when Houston and I were in Texas last week. We got into an argument in the parking lot.”

Crayson laughed. “Damn, I thought women loved you. Can’t recall the last time they didn’t fall for that whole southern gentlemen act.”

“It’s not an act, but yeah, me neither.” I observed her a bit more as she stumbled to my front door. It had been dark outside the last time I saw her, but now that it was light out, I couldn’t get over her outfit.

We were so busy standing there in shock, I almost didn’t hear the doorbell ring, but luckily, Malakai asked, “Are you gonna get that?” jolting me to focus.

“Uh.” I didn’t really have a choice and it would have been rude to keep her waiting, especially since we’d watched her walk all the way up to my front door.

“Hello,” I greeted.

“Hi, I’m the rep from Red Rose Investment Firm. I believe you were expecting me today?”

“I was.” I took a couple more up and down glances at her outfit.

“It’s rude to stare,” she huffed.

“Sorry. I’ve just never seen a dress so … vibrant.”

She frowned. At least I think she frowned. It was hard to make out any real facial features underneath her hat. “Why did it seem painful for you to say that?”

“Because it was,” I replied, opting for honesty.

She forced a laugh. “Same ole’ Caden I see. And here I was hoping for a more heartwarming reunion.”

My eyes widened. “You seemed to hate me when we met last week, so I’m surprised you expected something different.”

Now it was her turn to look surprised. “Oh my pearls, it was you.”

“Huh?”

“It was you,” she repeated, pointing a finger at my chest. “You were the rude cowboy from the parking lot. The one who had eavesdropped on my conversation.”

“You were talking loudly,” I reminded her. “But if that’s not the time you were referring to, then what? We’ve never met before that night, have we?”

“We have.” She finally removed her hat and fluffed out her curls. “Although it’s been about fourteen years since we last saw each other, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve forgotten me.”

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