Page 15 of Meant for Her

“Mine? I thought you were the smart one—or so you always told us.”

Malia was bad about that. As the oldest child, and the only one who couldn’t shift, she strived to be the smartest. She didn’t succeed, but she’d tried.

They dropped down onto the bales of hay. The sun was out and the wind had stilled. The noise from the cows mooing or munching on their feed relaxed her.

“Have you ever met the Lattimore brothers? They own a ranch near Midvale.”

“I’m embarrassed to say I did once, but it wasn’t under the best of circumstances.”

Embarrassed?Yikes. “Care to clarify?”

“Trevor and I were at a cattle auction that both of the Lattimore men attended. We bid on a few of the same cattle, and each time Trevor and I won the bid.”

That must have been disappointing for Ryan and Luke. “How did you find out who they were?”

After the auction, they came up to us and introduced themselves, using their full names.”

“Were they angry that you won?”

“I think disappointed is a better word. I had the sense they were just starting out and didn’t have a lot of money.”

“What did you say to them?” she asked.

“After they introduced themselves, I just said we were Trevor and Seth, not Trevor and SethGranger. I’m not sure why. Maybe it would feel like bragging? I don’t know. Why the interest?”

That was good that Ryan and Luke didn’t have any idea she was a Granger—or maybe even who the Grangers were. Once they learned that fact, they might shy away from her. Luke seemed the type to want nothing to do with a rich family, whereas she suspected Ryan wouldn’t care.

She detailed what happened to the men and how David had to remove several bullets. “They’re fine physically, but from what little I know, the loss of those cows might cost them their ranch.”

“I’m so sorry. What do you think I can do?”

“Keep your ears open. I was hoping you’d heard about other ranchers who might have had their cattle rustled.”

He shook his head. “No, but I bet Will might know more.”

Malia should have thought to ask her twin. Since he owned the most popular bar in town, he often heard all sorts of gossip. “I’ll talk with him.”

Seth placed a hand on her wrist. “There’s more. I can tell. Spill.”

Was she that transparent?Decision time.Seth was the more level-headed of the two twins, not as prone as Trevor to let his emotions get the best of him, despite him being more romantic.

“You have to promise not to say anything to anyone about this. Not to Trevor, and definitely not to our parents.”

“I’ve never seen you like this before. You are always so in control.”

That’s because she hadn’t met her mates before. The more time that passed, the more she was convinced she hadn’t imagined things. “When the paramedics wheeled Luke and Ryan into my trauma bay, something happened to my body. I won’t go into detail since it’s too much information, but suffice it say I think they are my mates.”

She held her breath waiting for him to laugh, tell her she was crazy, or recommend she embrace this new sensation.

“Is that so?”

Malia wanted more than that noncommittal response. “Yes.”

“Congrats.”

She studied him. “You’re not telling me something.”

He sat up. “I don’t know what to say. I’ve heard that you don’t get a choice who your mate is. I know what Mom and Dad are going to say though.”

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