The Lone Rancher - By Carol Finch Page 0,11

Uncle Reuben stifled, in hopes of making you the most sought-after debutante in Boston. Why do you need a dress?”

“Because I intend to host the largest party Ca-Cross has ever seen, and for one night I need a stylish gown.”

“Ca-Cross?” Rosa’s lips twitched and her jewel-like eyes twinkled in amusement. “You sound like Quin.”

Rosa could have chattered all day without saying that, Adrianna thought, disgruntled. She did not want to be compared to that opinionated rascal.

“Never mind him.” She flicked her wrist dismissively. “This town-wide celebration will honor your marriage to Lucas and it will be the talk of the county. With Beatrice and Ezmerelda’s organizing and cooking skills, we will have a grand time. Plus, I can become acquainted with the good citizens of Ca-Cross. After all, I will be doing business in town and I want to meet shop owners. Even the ones on the wrong side of the tracks.”

Rosa rolled her eyes, “Addie K., I have no qualms about you making a memorable splash in town, but there is no need to become notorious and outlandish. I, for one, prefer to keep a low profile.”

Adrianna noted the simple gold band that was nothing like the expensive jewels Rosa had been expected to wear in years past.

“The McKnight-Greer wealth has caused us both endless headaches,” Rosa said, then shrugged. “But I suppose we each have our own way of dealing with our demons.”

“Yes, we do,” she agreed. “We both know you can’t trust a man’s motives. Lucas excluded. He, of course, is perfect.”

“Indeed, he is. I can tell him anything and he won’t betray me,” Rosa insisted. “But if you wish to be known as an eccentric heiress who wears breeches and rides astride in public—”

Adrianna flapped her arms to silence her cousin. “You just admitted you haven’t outgrown your hoyden tendencies entirely,” she pointed out. “We sneaked out the two-story windows at the estate repeatedly for midnight rides on horses that our parents considered too spirited for dainty females.”

Rosa smiled dryly, but didn’t refute the comment. “Be that as it may, do not drag me into this rebellion of yours.” She strode off with an armload of fabric and Adrianna followed at her heels. “If Quin set you off with his blundering comments why don’t you simply charm the breeches off him? It worked with the men who tried to manipulate you to the altar.”

“Cahill is a different breed and requires no finesse,” she replied. “I’ll make him regret his feeble attempt to persuade me to sell out and return to Boston, where he claims I should have stayed in the first place. In fact, I might become his new neighbor from hell if he continues to aggravate me.”

Rosa tossed back her silver-blonde head and burst out laughing. “I’m so glad you’re here to liven things up, Addie K. I’ve missed you terribly. Now I have Lucas, you and my thriving business. Life is good.”

Mine is getting better, Adrianna thought to herself. She had spread her independent wings and she wouldn’t be stifled, as she had the past seven years. Giving in to her wild, rebellious nature felt wonderful! And she was never going to reside in New England again. It wasn’t where she belonged, despite what that infuriating Quin Cahill thought.

“Come meet Melanie Ford, my assistant,” Rosa said, dragging Adrianna from her pensive musings. “She has the same kind of magical hands with a sewing machine as Elda Quickel has with cooking. I’ve already told Mel all about you.”

“Thank you…I think.”

“It’s all good,” Rosa insisted. “You can meet Mel and her husband, Cyril, who manages the stage station. He usually drops in to take Mel to lunch. Then you and I can dine together since Lucas is working at the ranch all day.”

Adrianna frowned curiously. “You didn’t mention where you and Lucas are living. In the apartment upstairs or at the ranch?”

“Both places, depending on our workload,” Rosa explained. “If you want to stay the night in our apartment while we are at the ranch, overseeing the construction of our new home, you are always welcome to use it.”

“Thank you. And, Rosa?”

“Yes?”

“I’m ever so glad to be here with you.”

Rosa grinned over her shoulder. “Me, too, Cuz. Texas is perfect for you. You’ll see.”

Adrianna followed Rosa into the workroom to make her first official acquaintance in Ca-Cross. Meeting Quin didn’t count because she didn’t consider that aggravating rascal a potential friend. And just wait until he found out what she had in store for him.

Call her