Lone Wolf (Wilde Brothers Ranch #6)- Scarlett Grove Page 0,7

phone out of her purse and tapped over to the app. She'd already downloaded it at the spa but hadn't opened it to fill out the profile. She looked around to make sure no one was watching. With a growing buzz, she opened mate.com and began to fill out the profile.

She filled out her information, answered the strange questionnaire, and waited for her matches. Her heart leapt as she watched the loading screen. She nodded for the bartender to bring her a third drink. When the loading screen came up, she looked at her first match. He was a hot surfer with bleach-blond hair, tan skin, and a glowing smile. Her eyes widened. Amelia wasn't kidding. He was hot.

Annie sipped her drink. She was going to need a lot more liquid courage to scroll down the page. Her thumb slid over the screen, moving past 79%, 82%, 86%, 93%, 97%. There was still another match to go. She finished the rest of her drink, took a deep breath, and scrolled. One hundred percent match. She felt dizzy. She looked at the profile picture of the man she'd been matched with.

He was by far the most beautiful man she'd ever seen in her life. He had a body to die for, a handsome face, and kind, sensitive eyes. He was sitting by the fire, reading a book. His profile name was Lone Wolf. She read his bio: Warehouse manager for family farm. Enjoys reading novels, taking quiet walks in the woods, and spending time alone. But I would love to spend my time with my fated mate. Maybe we can be alone together?

Annie's heart was pounding. Lone Wolf seemed like a perfect match, someone who understood her need for solitude. Her finger hovered over the “message now” button. But she couldn't do it. She closed the app and put her phone back in her purse. She grabbed her bouquet and, on wobbly feet, headed outside onto the porch. She seriously needed some air—and to get her head on straight. She had opened a can of worms that she wouldn't be able to close. And she didn't know if it was the best thing that had ever happened to her or the biggest mistake of her life.

4

Dylan packed the weekly order for Fate Rock Lodge into the delivery van. He'd been on the phone with Austin all afternoon, discussing the particulars of hiring an assistant for the warehouse. As Dylan had suspected, Austin was hesitant. But he’d pleaded his case, and he hoped that his brother was coming around to his side.

The weekly order to the Lodge was bigger than usual, since there was a big wedding there today. They needed to restock all their steaks and chicken—as was the case whenever the lodge hosted a large gathering.

He liked going out to the lodge. In fact, it was one of his favorite times of the week. The trip was a chance to get away from the farm for at least a few minutes. And the cooks usually offered to make him dinner, which he certainly didn't mind either.

He drove along the highway and turned off onto the road toward the lodge. The parking lot was packed, and the lights surrounding the porch were bright. He could tell the party was still in full swing.

As the last fleeting shreds of sunlight dipped below Fate Rock, he pulled up around the back. The kitchen staff came out to unload his delivery and load it into the freezer.

“Dylan,” Chef Gustav said, “so good to see you. When are you going to have that lamb for me?”

“Just a few more weeks. We'll have our lamb harvest. And you're the first on my list.”

“Excellent. Please come inside, my friend. I have a wonderful new recipe for you to try.”

“I would love that, Chef Gustav. It's the highlight of my week.”

“Oh, Mr. Wilde. A young man like you. Surely you have more exciting adventures in your life than one of Gustav's steaks.”

“Alas, most of my life is spreadsheets and emails.”

“You still don't have a lady?” Gustav asked, walking through the busy kitchen with his arm around Dylan’s shoulder.

“I've been on mate.com for seven years, and still no match. Sometimes I think it will never happen.”

“Well, let me make you a delicious meal. It may not be a substitute for that special lady in your life, but at least it will fill your belly and please your palate.”

Dylan smiled, clutching his book under his arm. The warehouse was shut