Page 30 of A Jilted Bride for the Cowboy

“Obviously something.”

Graham shot a glance at his cousin. “Did I screw up the payroll? I went through it three times.”

Tate shook his head. “Although you do seem distracted.”

“There’s a lot of pressure, what with all the parental units coming to analyze the ranch next week.”

Tate grimaced. “That is true. My father is grouching because Grandfather is sending him to Kansas to pick up my mother again. He says someone else needs to get their pilot’s license. Either that, or Grandfather needs to revert to having all the board meetings in Chicago, so Mom can fly commercial from Wichita.”

At least the conversation had been diverted. “Count me off the potential pilot list. My vision isn’t good enough.” Which was fine with Graham. The thought of being in control of a flying object and the passengers within was terrifying. Had been terrifying even before Wally’s helicopter had crashed and killed all four onboard.

“I almost wish I had that excuse. Truth is, Wally is the only one of us who ever wanted to fly.” Tate tipped a pen end over end. “Jude said something the other day about it, though. He might want to take up the mantle, as it were.”

“Jude?” Graham tried to keep the shock out of his voice. Failed.

“Our cousin Jude.” Tate chuckled. “Grandfather will give him the opportunity if he wants it. They’re looking into the requirements.”

Graham scratched his neck. How had he managed not to know this was coming? Had he been that focused on Cadence he’d been oblivious to all else? Possibly.

Also, he’d been thinking about her parents’ visit to Sweet River without putting two and two together and realizing his own parents would be here on business at the same time. Ugh. This was not going to be pleasant.

“Cadence seems to be doing good work.”

Graham refocused on his cousin. “The website looks a lot better, right? No offense to your mother.”

“Mom knows more than most of the rest of us about the basics of site creation, but it’s not her passion. She’s happy Cadence has been able to build on the platform she put in place. It looks inviting now.”

“She takes great photos, too.”

“You seem to be in a lot of them.”

Graham’s gaze swung to meet his cousin’s as though he couldn’t control it.

Tate smirked. “Anything going on that we should know about?”

“Just because you’re married now doesn’t mean everyone else is busy falling in love or anything like that.”

Tate raised his eyebrows. “That was very specific.”

A burn crept up Graham’s cheeks. “She’s nice. I like her. I also like Paisley, and I like Heather, and I like Kaci.”

“Starting a harem?” Tate chuckled.

“You’re hilarious.”

“I thought so.” He leaned onto his desk and studied Graham. “Do you like her a little more than the others?”

Graham thought back to their horseback ride a few days ago. He’d had such a good time with her he’d nearly forgotten he’d been high up on a potentially deadly beast. They’d talked, gotten to know each other better, and admitted they each might have feelings. Preliminary ones, but feelings all the same. He glanced back at his cousin. “Maybe.”

“Good for you.”

He blinked. “Really?”

“Sure, why not? She complements you in many ways. She gets you out of your shell…”

“I have a shell?”

Tate laughed. “Isn’t that what you call it when a person hunkers away from everyone else as soon as office hours are over?”

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