Page 32 of The Rancher's Fake Fiancée

Hesitantly, she pulled back a corner of the pink blanket on the cover of the basket. And then she laughed and pulled it off. Inside, blinking back at her were two big blue eyes in a tiny orange face. A kitten sat nicely waiting for the unveiling. Soon the basket was relegated to the table and the ball of fur ended up nestled in Cassie’s arms. The purring began in response.

“You know Tori,” he said. “She found that orange kitten all those years ago and decided that this was to be where we would all find what we needed and so she said it’s your turn to live in Primrose House and that you needed your own orange cat to share it.”

“And as usual, she’s right. This is perfect now. Thank you for bringing me such a wonderful gift.” She hugged the child next to her.

“Well, we have to get home and get ready for basketball practice,” he said. “We’ll see you tomorrow at the courthouse, I am sure. And there is dinner tomorrow night also. Better have a good calendar ready for all your social engagements.” He grinned and shot her a wink. “Let’s go, little one.” And he motioned for his daughter to precede him. “And by the way, there is cat food in the pantry and the necessary cat box and litter. Good luck!”

She stood waving as the truck pulled away, with her niece waving like crazy out the window. Cassie looked at the little one in her arms and laughed for the pure joy of it all.

*

“Earth to nephew,you spaced out again,” Uncle Joe said. He laid the cards in his hand down on the table in front of him. “I won again.”

“Are you sure about that?” Cole sat up straighter in his chair.

“You are no fun. When are you going to snap out of it?”

“Snap out of what?”

“The fact that you have been boring and no fun at all for the last few months and the rest of us are pretty tired of it. I know I am. No way to get a good game of cards or checkers out of you at all. It’s time you got some backbone and got yourself over to Destiny’s River.”

“Why would I need to go over there? My foreman goes over when we need something that Red Cliffs doesn’t have.”

“Either you are acting obtuse or you are just plain stupid, but I don’t recognize you as my nephew anymore. You know that Jessie is in Destiny’s River. It was in the newspaper. And it is plain simple that you should go over there and at least welcome her to her new home and job. Then maybe you will get even more guts and ask her out for a real dinner without bad guys and gunplay and handcuffs. Well, maybe the handcuffs might come in handy, but you get my drift. I have always said that youth is definitely wasted on the youth. Are you a man or a mouse?”

“Gee, Uncle Joe, why don’t you get to the point?” Cole said, trying to make a joke out of it.

“Do you like that girl? Yes, or no?” He was cutting to the chase.

“It isn’t…”

“To hell, with what it isn’t. Whatisit? And why aren’t you doing something about it?”

“She left here and never looked back. Her job was done. That is what she said she did. She did her job and then she moved on to the next.”

“Except she didn’t this time. She quit her job and found another one just in the next county of all places. Does that sound like she moved on? No. Now it is your turn to make your move. So, if you love that girl…and you certainly give a good imitation of a lovesick bull, then get yourself in that truck and let her know that you mean business.”

“I know I will regret this but how do you think I should do that?”

“Romance. Words that women like. Flowers. I can’t do all the work for you. But show her you care if you can’t find the words. But you best get to it because I hear she is pretty popular around that town and lots of bachelors over there. Don’t let the grass grow under those boots.”

*

Romance. Flowers. Words.What did he know about that stuff? She would probably toss them back at him or laugh or have forgotten his name. He shook his head. He would test the waters. He would go to the florist in Destiny’s River and order a bouquet. But what kind? He had no idea what her favorite flower was even. What if he had left it too late? There was no guarantee she was even interested in what he had to say. But there would also be no peace either from his uncle nor his daughter who let him have it on a daily basis as to what he intended to do. It was best to get it over with and go down in flames.

He walked into the florist and began to look around the room. “May I help you sir?” The time was at hand. “I need flowers. I don’t know what kind. I don’t know what color. But it needs to look really nice.”

She smiled. “Well, is it for a funeral? A wedding? A housewarming? There are many reasons to give flowers.” He wished she would keep her voice down a bit. The doorbell had sounded and there was another customer that needed waiting on. But she wasn’t in a hurry evidently.

“If you want to help that other person I’ll just keep looking.”

“My assistant is helping them. Now is this for a young lady? A birthday? An older person?”

“No, none of those things. It’s for a female. A young one…well not that young. But maybe about my age. And it should be pink maybe? I know she wears that color.”

“Is this a special young lady?”

“Of course she’s special. I’m buying her flowers.” That sounded sharp. “I’m sorry it’s just I don’t usually do this. But I want her to know I’m glad she’s living back here now, and she means a lot to a lot of people and hopefully, she will give me the time of day.”

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