Proposal at the Lazy S Ranch. Patricia Thayer

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      An hour later, Josie sat at the desk in her father’s office talking on the phone with Tori. “How did the meeting go with Reed Corp?” she asked her sister, who’d pretty much taken over Josie’s event business while she was here.

      “It went well. They were disappointed that you weren’t at the presentation. I think Jason Reed has a thing for you.”

      Josie shook her head. “He also has a wife and two kids.” The short, balding fortysomething man liked all women. “I don’t share well, remember?”

      She glanced around Colt’s private domain as she listened to her sister. The den walls were done in a dark wood paneling, and against one of those walls was a floor-to-ceiling bookcase filled with books, old rodeo buckles and trophies along with blue ribbons for Lazy S’s award-winning cattle and horses.

      The furniture was worn leather and the carpet needed to be replaced. How long had the ranch finances been bad?

      Tori’s laughter came over the speakerphone. “That’s right, you were pretty stingy when we were growing up, not sharing your dolls or your boyfriend. Speaking of which, how is Garrett?”

      Josie froze. Why did everything come back to that man? “How would I know?”

      “Because Ana said you’ve been spending time with him.”

      “That’s not by choice.”

      “So how does he look? Please tell me he’s gotten fat and gone bald.”

      Josie had only confided in her twin what really happened the day Garrett confessed that he’d planned to marry another woman. Later she’d learned he’d gotten her pregnant. “No, he pretty much looks the same.”

      “Ana also told me that he’s moved back to the Temple Ranch with his son.” Tori paused. “If you want, Josie, you can come back to L.A., and I’ll take your place.”

      “No, I can’t keep running away from my past. We both decided that we’d help Ana and Vance. Besides, I want to find out if Colt’s new attitude toward his daughters is for real.”

      “You have doubts?”

      Josie wasn’t sure, still leery of the man’s sudden change of heart. “He’s nothing like the man we remember, Tori. He actually talked to me this morning at breakfast. Since the man had pretty much ignored us when we were growing up, I’m not sure how to handle the new Colt Slater.”

      Tori joined in. “Like I said, we can change places if you want to come back here.”

      Josie was a little worried. Why was Tori so eager to come to Montana? “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

      “No, I’ve just been working a lot of hours.”

      “You’re being careful, aren’t you? Have you heard from Dane again?”

      “No.”

      Tori’s ex-boyfriend, Dane Buckley, had abused her. Josie shivered, recalling the night her sister had showed up on her doorstep with the bruises and busted lip. When she wanted to call the police, Tori begged her not to, not wanting anyone to know. They’d settled on getting a restraining order.

      “You need to call Detective Brandon if Dane comes anywhere near you.”

      She heard the hesitation. “What aren’t you telling me?”

      “It’s just a feeling... Dane’s around. I saw a car like his down the street by the town house.”

      Josie leaned her arms on the deck, fighting her anger. “Then tell that to the detective. He can check around to make sure you’re safe. That’s their job.”

      “Okay, I will.”

      “No, I mean it, Tori. You don’t want to take any chances with that jerk.”

      Josie looked up and saw Garrett standing in the doorway. She quickly picked up the receiver, taking the phone off speaker. “Just listen to me about this. Please, promise me.”

      She heard the exaggerated sigh. “I said I would. Right after I hang up I’ll call Detective Brandon.”

      “Good. I better go, but could you send your samples for the lodge’s website design?”

      “Sure. Bye, Josie.”

      “Bye, Tori.” She hung up the phone and looked across the room at the man who seemed to be everywhere she was. “Is there a problem, Garrett?”

      “I was about to ask you the same thing,” he said. “Is Tori all right?”

      Josie shrugged. “She’s fine.”

      Garrett walked to the desk. “Look, Josie, if someone is stalking your sister, it’s serious. Maybe I can help.”

      Josie didn’t want to talk to Garrett about this, or anything else. “Thank you, but we have it under control.”

      Garrett watched for a moment, and then finally nodded. “Okay, but the offer stands.”

      “Fine. So what brings you here?”

      “I just got a call from my foreman from the lodge. He has questions about the bathroom locations.”

      Josie shook her head. “I have nothing to do with that. You need to ask Ana.”

      “I would, but Ana’s not available. She’s tied up in meetings all day and can’t get away. If you want to keep this project on schedule, the rough plumbing problems need to get resolved before any walls go up.”

      “Fine. The last thing I want is any delays.” She stood. She found she was excited about getting involved in the project. She’d always been a natural-born organizer. She just didn’t want to spend any time with Garrett. “How soon do you need me there?”

      “Right now. I can drive you out, but Brody will be going with us. Then I can come back here to trailer his horse.”

      Josie hated the idea, but what choice did she have? “Okay.” She grabbed her jacket off the back of the chair. She headed out, but Garrett’s voice stopped her.

      “Brody’s in the kitchen. Kathleen is feeding him some lunch.”

      Josie felt her own stomach protest from lack of food. “That’s not a bad idea. I could use some nourishment.”

      They walked down the hall to the bright kitchen and heard laughter. At the big table sat Brody and her father. Kathleen was at the stove stirring a pot of soup. “Sit down, you two,” the housekeeper said. “And I’ll fix you something to eat.”

      Colt looked up at them, as did the boy. Both smiled mischievously.

      “Hey, Dad, did you know that Colt used to be a World Saddle Bronc champion?”

      Garrett nodded. Who would have thought, gruff, strictly business Colton Slater could make his son smile?

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