Page 57 of More Than a Blind Date

“You don’t care if I sit here, do you?”

“Not a bit.” I sip my whiskey. I won’t have more than one because having a loose tongue wouldn’t do anyone any favors.

Richard downs his in one swallow. “You’ve really shaken up Rose’s family. I’ve heard that even Sage is behaving differently now that you showed up. And their parents aren’t happy about it.”

A few of his words slur a tad, making me think that wasn’t his first drink of the night.

“It was never my intention to make anyone unhappy. Only to make Rose happy.” That statement is completely true.

“I always figured that after I sowed a few wild oats, if you know what I mean, then I’d settle down with Rose. And after Sage and Cara announced their engagement, I thought this would be the time. I’m not getting any younger. And Rose is pretty cute. I prefer a little more endowment up top, but that’s nothing a plastic surgeon can’t fix.” He chuckles.

I ball my fists, breathing through my rage. “You can quit talking about her like she’s an object.” My verbal warning is accompanied by a glare.

That must scare Richard a bit because he stammers, “I didn’t mean to… she’s just… I forgot that you like her.” He lifts his glass and points to it as the waitress walks by.

“Maybe you shouldn’t have any more to drink.”

“My girl is engaged to someone else. I’m drinking away my sorrow.” He laughs. “And now that the others are engaged, my mom is pressuring me to settle down. Rose knows me. She’d understand my quirks. But no, now I have to find a stranger. And between you and me, I have trouble getting women to agree to a second date most of the time. I’m not sure how I’ll get anyone to say yes to a proposal.”

I’m fairly certain that anything I say to him tonight will not be remembered. “Try being a nice person who doesn’t judge women by their cup size.”

He responds as if I’m the best comedian ever. “Seeing Rose with you makes me realize what I’m missing, and I aim to get her back. You just watch. Unlike you, her parents like me. And I’ll use that to my favor.” He lifts his glass. “May the best man win.”

I stand and walk away because slugging Richard would ruin the evening. And I like Sage. But not his soon-to-be brother-in-law.

Telling Rose about the conversation can wait until after the wedding. She doesn’t need the stress right now.

Early Monday morning,before heading to the hardware store to pick up the fencing I ordered, I stop by the horse barn. Colt has been putting in extra hours, making sure everything is ready for our Valentine’s Day opening, which is less than two weeks away.

It’s taken a lot of work, but Aunt Tandy will get her wish. Matchmaker Ranch will officially open on Valentine’s Day.

Colt is grooming a horse when I enter.

“You were wrong.” I’ve been waiting a long time to say it, but since I’m buying white picket fencing, the timing feels right.

He leans out of the horse’s stall. “I often am. Care to be more specific?”

“Spending time with Rose did not make the attraction go away.”

“You don’t say?” He chuckles. “How’s all that going?”

“Really well, I think. The wedding, which was the end of our deal, is this weekend, and then we can talk about what happens next. But I care for her. A lot.”

“She seems to like you too. I’m happy I was wrong.”

“You knew all along you were wrong. You just said all that so I wouldn’t obsess about it.”

“Guilty as charged.” He grins. “You were working yourself into a tizzy, and I wanted to help you relax.”

“If Aunt Tandy ever needs help matchmaking, she can rope you into it.”

He shakes his head. “No thanks. I do not see matchmaking in my future. I’m happy working with horses.”

“Don’t discount something too quick. I swore I’d never fall for anyone, and look at me.” I walk to the door. “I’m headed into town. I’ll catch you later.”

“Have a good one.” Colt gets back to work.

Ten minutes later, I walk into the hardware store. “Sutton, hey. Did the order arrive?”

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