The Lone Rancher - By Carol Finch Page 0,20
lavender-eyed wife and Quin almost felt sorry for the ex–Texas Ranger. Especially when Boston snapped her fingers in front of his nose, demanding his undivided attention.
“Rosa broke her solemn promise to me,” she told Lucas. “We were going to become spinsters together and denounce all men everywhere. Then you came along to steal her heart. My only consolation is this party to celebrate her happiness.” She gave him the evil eye. “Do not fight me on this, Lucas, or I will make your life miserable.”
“And she can, too,” Quin interjected before he could bite back the taunt. “Take my word for it, Burnett.”
When she turned her glittering green-eyed glare on him, silence descended on the boutique. Quin hated to admit that, glare or not, he’d wanted Boston’s notice. It beat the hell out of being ignored as if he were invisible. He suddenly remembered that he had considered changing tact. Maybe he could treat the shrew with kindness rather than taunts and see how that worked. It probably wouldn’t matter, given her cynical opinion of men and her dislike of him in particular.
Quin removed his hat, then bowed slightly from the waist. “I apologize, Miz McKnight. That was uncalled for. You are here with family and I am intruding.” He nodded a polite greeting to Rosa, Bea and Butler. “If you will excuse me, I have an errand to run.”
He noticed Boston was watching him intently with those lustrous eyes that could mesmerize a man if he stared into them for a prolonged period of time. That must have been what had happened the previous day, he decided. He had gotten lost in those beguiling eyes and found his lips feasting on her as if he were starving for the taste of her.
Quin turned to leave and Boston said from behind him, “How is Elda? I miss her, you know.”
“And I enjoy having her and her amazing meals,” he replied, glancing over his shoulder at her. “My family went their separate ways to find themselves—whatever that means—and my house has been empty until Elda arrived.” He lifted a questioning brow. “How is Rock settling in? My men miss him. I miss him. He is a valuable employee.”
“He fits in perfectly,” she assured him, not smiling, which was too bad because Quin wished he could be the reason for the joyous expression he’d witnessed earlier. But he was an unwanted outsider and Boston wanted him gone. To hell, he suspected.
“Addie K.,” Rosa scolded her cousin. “Where are your manners?”
Quin pivoted to see Boston struggle to paste on a polite smile but it didn’t come close to reaching her eyes. “By all means, Cahill, join us at the Porter Hotel across the square after you conduct your business. We would love to have you join us for lunch.”
That was the most insincere invitation he’d ever received. “Thanks, but no. I don’t wish to intrude.”
“Well, maybe some other time, then,” she said dismissively. “I’m sure you’re anxious to be on your way.”
“Addie K.!” Rosa sent her a withering glance. “What has gotten into you?”
Boston flashed her blond-haired cousin an exasperated frown, then strode directly up to Quin. “My apologies, Cahill. Of course, we’d be delighted if you joined us for lunch.”
He decided to accept, if only to annoy her. Indeed, she had aggravated him—so they were even. Since misery loved company, they could make each other miserable over lunch.
“I’ll be there,” Quin said before he turned on his heel and walked out.
The jingling bell over the door announced Quin’s departure. Adrianna inhaled a relieved breath. Then she pivoted to face her meddling cousin—God love her because Adrianna didn’t at the moment. Rosa had forced Cahill on her.
“I would appreciate it dearly, Cuz, if you wouldn’t shove Cahill at me. We bring out the absolute worse in each other.”
“Really?” Lucas said, and snorted. “We hadn’t noticed.”
Adrianna glanced at her new cousin-in-law. His coal-black eyes twinkled with devilry. She could see why Rosa had become enamored with Lucas. He was big and rugged and he looked nothing like the prissy aristocrats who sauntered down the streets and ballrooms of Boston. Sort of like Cahill’s unpretentious, straightforward manner—
She chopped off the thought. She was not giving Cahill credit for anything. However, there had been a moment earlier when his sincere apology had almost got to her. She wondered what it would be like to call him friend rather than exasperating antagonist.
“I have a few errands to run myself before lunch.” Adrianna strode toward the door. “I’ll