Page 35 of At the Rancher's Pleasure

“I can’t believe how Royal has changed since I lived here.” Sarabeth swiftly changed the subject before Gina could interrogate her further. She was thoroughly enjoying her new, adult relationship with her grown-up daughter, but she wasn’t about to discuss her sex life. Sarabeth, stepping into the steakhouse, shuddered at the thought. “This place is new.”

“Mmm,” Gina said, nodding. “I’ve never eaten here before but I’ve heard the food is fabulous.”

The interior wasn’t too bad either, with dark wood furniture and heavy drapes. It reminded her of the original clubhouse of the Texas Cattleman’s Club back in the day. The hostess approached them and led them to a table in the back where Ross and Charlotte were already seated. They stood up and Sarabeth looked at Charlotte, thinking her sunshine yellow dress looked marvelous against her dark skin. Charlotte dropped a kiss on her cheek and gave Sarabeth a quick hug before taking her seat again.

“Hi, Mom.”

Sarabeth smiled at Ross who’d pulled out her chair. She wished they were close enough to hug, but she reminded herself to take baby steps. At least he was calling her mom again and not Sarabeth. Although Sarabeth was a vast improvement from the “Satan’s Bride” he’d called her in his teens and early twenties.

Yep, she could live with baby steps. “Thank you, darling.”

After they placed their orders for drinks, Sarabeth looked across the table to Charlotte. “How’s my boy?”

“Ben’s lovely but exhausting. He’s with my folks tonight, and I’m sure they’ll collapse before he does.” Charlotte placed her hand on Ross’s arm as she looked around the room, their connection undeniable. Sarabeth smiled; she was so happy Ross had found such an amazing woman to share his life with. “It’s so nice to be out, eating someone else’s food. I feel like a grown-up!”

Sarabeth laughed. “Anytime you want a date night, I’m happy to take Ben.”

Ross started to answer—no doubt about to offer an excuse for her not to have Ben overnight since her son was a very overprotective daddy—but Charlotte spoke before he could. “That would be awesome! Thank you, Sarabeth.”

Ross frowned at her. “Honey, I don’t think—”

Charlotte’s expression turned impatient. “Ross, you told me that Sarabeth was a great mom. You said that she was super responsible but a ton of fun. So please stop being an idiot, darling.”

Ross sent Sarabeth a rueful smile. “I did say that and...sorry, Mom. I’m a little overprotective of Ben.”

And he was still finding his way back to her. “I was just as protective of the two of you so I get it,” she softly said. Deciding to take the risk and address the issue, she placed her hand on Ross’s arm. “I made a lot of mistakes, Ross, and I’m so sorry those mistakes hurt you and your sister. But please believe that I did the best I could, with the resources I had.”

Ross nodded, looking uncomfortable.

“Are you madly, utterly besotted with Ben, Ross?” Sarabeth asked him, her elbow on the table and her chin resting in her hand.

“Utterly,” he immediately responded, love blazing from his eyes.

“And that’s how I felt about you and Gina, how Istillfeel. Don’t doubt that, sweetheart.”

Sarabeth held his emotional gaze, mentally begging him to believe her. When his wariness faded and she caught the hint of emotion, a combination of remorse and hope, Sarabeth felt her tears well and immediately dropped her gaze. She would not embarrass anyone by blubbing like a sentimental fool.

Emotion swirled around them until Charlotte cleared her throat, drawing their attention to the bottle of white wine they’d decided to share. She picked it up and inspected the label. “Ooh, lovely! I tried to order this vintage to put on the wine list at Sheen, but it’s hard to come by. Well done, Rafe.”

Grateful for the distraction, Sarabeth asked who Rafe was.

“Rafe Cortez-Williams is the owner of the steakhouse, Mom. His family own ranches but he’s a restauranteur,” Gina explained, her voice holding an uncertain note Sarabeth had never heard before. She tipped her head, wondering why talking about this Rafe character would make Gina sound a little off balance.

“And a good one,” Charlotte added, perusing the menu. “His menu is fantastic and the food, so I’ve heard, is brilliant.”

“You’re being very complimentary of your competition, baby,” Ross said, squeezing her hand.

Charlotte shrugged. “There’s enough business in this town for all of us and Sheen, as you know, is doing damn well.”

“And I’m so proud of you,” Ross told Charlotte.

Gina made a gagging sound, and when Sarabeth looked her way, she rolled her eyes. “Get used to them billing and cooing, Mom, because they never stop.”

Charlotte grinned. “And we never will. Now, tell me, Gina, where did you find those shoes? They are to die for!”

Sarabeth leaned to the side and eyed the patent leather in a black-to-red color swirl. They had pointed toes and curved openings and were sky-high. Sarabeth couldn’t believe she hadn’t noticed them on her daughter earlier; she’d obviously been living on the ranch for too long. “Louboutins?”

Gina lifted her foot so that Sarabeth could see the distinctive red underside of the shoe. “Yep. A present from me to me.”

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