Page 37 of The Rancher's Fake Fiancée

You two enjoy your lunch.” He pulled his hat down on his head and headed for the door.

She refused to watch him leave.

“So, what is it with you and…”

“Don’t go there or I will leave and go back to work with a sandwich from the corner deli.”

“You both need to have your heads examined. Or shut up in a closet until you settle things once and for all.”

“Good thing you aren’t a couples’ counselor. You’d fail. Now pass the sugar please.”

Matt might not be a counselor but he knew an idea when he heard one. He just needed to work out a few details. What did he have to lose? Well, a lot if his sister caught him. But he was on a mission.

“I’m sorry, I will give him the message.” The secretary hung up and sent a smile to Cole. I am sorry but the sheriff asks that you meet him at the offices they are redoing on the third floor. If you wouldn’t mind?”

Cole had no idea what office was on the third floor, but he would do it. The door was open and he walked into the small space that looked to be a converted closet that someone was making into a space for a person. He was glad it wasn’t him. He walked around the small corner and then he heard someone walk in the open door. Had to be Matt. Then a door slammed. He moved around the corner and it wasn’t Matt that stood there twisting the door knob, trying to open the door.

“Matt, are you out there? Open this door right now!”

“This is your brother’s idea of a prank?” Cole spoke and Cassie whirled to face him.

“Are you involved in this cruel joke? He knows I don’t like small spaces. What did you two cook up with the one tiny brain between you?” She was clearly not in a good mood over the prank.

“I had nothing to do with this. He told me to meet him here.”

“This is ridiculous. Childish is a better word.”

“Well, seems we are supposed to be able to talk and come to terms with our issues and he will let us out. At that point, you can go first in taking his head off.”

“What do we have to talk about? That is silly.”

“Silly? We might be seen as acting like children and avoiding each other.”

“That might describe you but not me.”

“Low blow there.” Cole took off his hat and sat it on an empty shelf. He moved a paint bucket over and used it as a makeshift seat. Then he stood again and found another gallon can and dusted it off and offered it to her. “Never say that I’m not a gentleman.”

“Thanks.”

“You are welcome.”

“So how will he know we are done talking?”

“I have no idea. He’s your brother so what do you think?”

“I don’t know. This is totally not like him. Maybe when he was twelve, but not now.”

“Well, what should we talk about?”

“I have nothing to talk about. How about you?”

“Are you still happy here or getting bored by now?”

She brought her gaze to level on his. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“This has got to be getting boring. Someone used to travel and living on the edge and dealing in high pressure situations. That is a lot to leave behind for small-town Texas.”

“That is ridiculous. You never knew me at all. I made the choice to walk away from that life. It was time to find a new one and I happen to like where I am very much. And no, I do not want to go back to that kind of life. What brilliant mind told you that idea?”

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