Page 28 of Parading the Cowboy Billionaire (Bluegrass Ranch 4)

“Here she is,” Colton said. “Virginia Winters.” He indicated Cayden. “Cayden Chappell. He’s putting together a summer ending event at Bluegrass Ranch. Have you been there?”

“Once or twice,” Ginny said, her smile cordial and professional. “It is beautiful land.”

“These boys know what they’re doing, and they’re pushing into the future with their own race this year.”

“Is that right?” Ginny asked, though she’d heard all about the challenges and successes Cayden had experienced over the past few weeks as his initial planning stages of the race had been put into motion.

“They’re looking for advertisers,” Colton said. “Sweet Rose might be interested in that. They’re also looking for sponsors for their concessions, which might fit your brand too. Or perhaps you’d simply be interested in attending the race. You’ve been to the Derby before, I believe.”

“Once or twice,” Ginny said again, because she had.

“You have?” Cayden asked, and Ginny nodded. “I’d love to see the hat you wore.”

“Virginia has beautiful clothes,” Colton said, and Ginny beamed up at him.

“Stop it, Colton. You’re embarrassing me.” She removed her hand from his arm and extended her hand for Cayden to take. “Good to see you again, Cayden.”

“You know each other?”

“Yes,” Ginny said as Cayden took her hand and lifted it to his lips. Her skin sizzled with his touch, and Ginny wished that mouth would claim hers again. “He’s attended several of the same social functions as me in the past several months.”

She didn’t need to keep such things secret. If she did, and Colton found out, he’d feel stupid, and she didn’t need that.

“I think he came to my New Year’s Eve party,” she said.

“I did,” Cayden said. “It was fantastic.” He put down his glass of whiskey and tucked Ginny’s hand into his arm. “I’d love to talk more about the Derby. Maybe you have some insight for how the race should go at Bluegrass.” His eyes fired like dark diamonds, and Ginny’s blood ran hotter and hotter with every moment he looked at her.

“Dinner is in ten minutes,” Colton said, grinning at the two of them.

“Thank you,” Cayden said, looking at Colton. “This has been an amazing night already.”

“Is your son here?” Ginny asked as Colton started to leave, and he turned back to her.

“He’s in Belgium currently,” Colton said, his face darkening.

“I see,” Ginny said. “Tell him I said hello.” She added a bright smile to the statement and turned back to Cayden. “You’re not here with anyone?”

“No, ma’am.” He grinned at her. “You?”

“Just you now,” she said, well aware of the others around them. “Tell me, Cayden, what kind of race is this you’re planning? Certainly not as high-stakes as the Derby.”

“Ho, no,” he said with a chuckle. “Have you seen the gardens here, Ginny? They’re lovely right now.”

“Once or twice,” she said as he led her toward the door in the corner that led out onto the patio. She happily went with him, the train of her dress tailing behind her. She hoped Colton would say something to Mother about this “great opportunity,” while simultaneously her heart jumped over itself at the thought of him saying anything to her.

Mother would say that yes, of course Ginny knew Cayden, because they’d been building a relationship last fall and winter.

Outside, away from listening ears and prying eyes, Cayden bent his head toward Ginny’s and whispered, “You steal my breath,” in a voice full of only air. “You should wear blue every single day.”

“Thank you,” she murmured, pressing into the kiss he touched to her jaw. She wanted to ask him again if they were okay, but she didn’t want to open any wounds he’d managed to close in the past half-hour.

“Horseback riding lesson at my place tomorrow?” he asked, his lips catching on her ear.

“I’m still planning on it,” she said. “Three o’clock?”

“Mm.”

“I had Mel clear my afternoon.”

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