The Rancher Meets His Match (The Millers of Morgan Valley #4) - Kate Pearce Page 0,59
to say is that Silver and I made a pact that we would try our best to make our relationship work however awkward it felt. And, that if we were truly meant to be together, love would find a way.”
Kaiden pretended to gag until Ben thumped him hard on the back.
“It worked, Bro. Look at how happy we are.”
“So you think I should just waltz up to Julia Garcia, look worshipfully into her eyes, and suggest we give our love a chance to ‘find a way’?” Kaiden asked, sarcasm dripping off every word. “Not that we even love each other or anything.”
“Yeah. Why not? What do you have to lose?” Ben who was oblivious to sarcasm at the best of times thumped him again. “Look, I’ve got to go and find Silver and help with the shopping bags. We’ll see you tomorrow at six at our place, if not before at Dad’s.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Yes, I’m still planning on coming back next week, Melanie,” Julia said as she opened her closet and considered what on earth she should wear to have dinner at a famous movie star’s house.
“That’s good because Blaine got the impression that you were settled back home with some kind of hick cowboy boyfriend.” Melanie laughed.
“Did he now?” Julia set her jaw. “Mind you, as Blaine is doing so well, maybe he doesn’t need me back at all, and I’d just be in the way. Is it time for me to ask for a transfer into a new team for a fresh start?”
Leaving the team she’d created to Blaine would kill her but she wasn’t prepared to go down without a fight.
“I still think he needs you there as a stabilizing presence for a while yet, Julia. I know he did a great job at the last presentation but he’s still relatively new.” Melanie rushed to get the words out. “I certainly wouldn’t be comfortable moving you just yet.”
Surprise, surprise, Julia thought. “Is there anything you’d like me to be working on while I’m here?”
“Well, there is a land negotiation we’re keeping an eye on in Bridgeport, which is quite near you, right?”
“Yes, it is. What do I need to know?”
“Our client is considering acquiring some land adjacent to the existing town. I gather the land runs alongside a great fishing river.”
“I can definitely help with that,” Julia said. “Do you want me to go out there and take a look?”
“That would be great. You’re really good at assessing the potential of land acquisitions. I’ll send over the details as soon as I get off the phone.” Melanie paused. “I am looking forward to seeing you back at work, Julia. I do hope such . . . interruptions won’t become a feature of your continued employment at MZB.”
“I’ll see you next week, Melanie,” Julia said evenly. “Have a great day.”
She ended the call and stared into her open closet. Did Melanie really believe that caring for one’s family was an interruption? What was she supposed to have done? Ignored her father like Miguel did? The only reason her brother could get away with behaving like that was because he knew she would step up. After her mother had failed to return home, Julia had felt like it was up to her to take on everything so that her father and brother wouldn’t notice the loss.
She shook off the call and grabbed the flowered shirt she’d bought at Maureen’s, paired it with her new tapered jeans and her favorite fleece, and called it a win. There was no way she could compete with Silver Meadows, and she wasn’t even going to try. Not that Silver would turn up in a custom designer gown or anything, she wasn’t like that, but she just had that glowing star thing going for her.
Mike’s Dad, Brian, was coming to spend the evening with her father, so she knew he would be fine. Kaiden had offered to pick her up on his way back from town, but she’d declined. Getting into his truck seemed to banish her inhibitions, and she couldn’t go down that path again.
She held the shirt up against her and looked in the mirror. But she wanted to touch him very badly. It didn’t seem to matter that her logical brain was telling her it was a bad idea, her hormones were screaming at her to jump his bones and get real close while the opportunity presented itself. He was just so . . . in tune with her sometimes it scared