Melanie’s office.” Miley was still opinionating. “It’s creepy as hell. She’s old enough to be his mother.”
Julia definitely didn’t want to go there so she changed the subject. “Mr. Bashear is coming in from New York next week for his annual review of our branch of the company. If you can coordinate with his PA and get me some face time with him, I’d love you forever.”
“Mr. B of MZB himself?” Miley fanned herself. “Do you know him?”
“He’s the one who hired me. We’ve always gotten along.”
“Maybe he’ll promote you and take you back to New York,” Miley speculated. “Where you’ll definitely need a really cute almost up-and-coming young lawyer to keep you company.”
Julia grinned. “I wonder who that might be? If you can avoid mentioning me trying to meet with Mr. Bashear to Melanie and Blaine I’d appreciate it.”
“Like I’d tell them anything.” Miley stood up. “Do you want to come out for lunch in about an hour with the good part of the team?”
Julia looked at the files stacked on her desk. “I think I’ll be working through lunch. It’s tough when I have to do all my work and my boss’s as well.”
“It sucks and I don’t care who hears me say that,” Miley said. “Maybe I’ll mention it to Mr. B myself.”
Julia was just about to start work when her cell phone buzzed. She picked it up and saw a text from Silver, which immediately raised her heart rate.
Hope you’ll be back for our party next weekend! We’re expecting you!
Julia hesitated over her reply.
Do you really want me there? What with the Kaiden thing?
To her surprise, Silver had turned out to be someone who refused to accept that Julia didn’t need a friend. She regularly texted Julia with tidbits of gossip about Morgan Valley, updates on the formation of the heritage foundation, and even the occasional mention of Kaiden, who had apparently been setting the Miller family on fire.
According to Ben, Kaiden’s still being an ass.
Apparently he’s now insisting on paying rent to live at the ranch and is looking for his own place.
When Silver had told Julia about Kaiden being fired by his father, she’d wanted to contact him so desperately that she’d handed her phone over to Miley for an entire weekend. She didn’t understand what was going on, but she had a feeling that if she had been there he would’ve talked to her.
Silver continued.
We don’t even know if he’s going to come to the wedding party.
I’m sure he will. He’s got no issues with Ben.
But you will come regardless, right? I really want you to be there.
Sure, Julia typed. I can’t wait.
Awesome!!! Avery Morgan will send you all the information. It’s being held at Morgan Ranch because they have more space. My family is flying in from LA. Gotta go, cow needs milking! x
The thought of Silver milking a cow was enough to make Julia smile before her thoughts returned to Kaiden. Whatever was going on with him was worrying her. She yearned to contact him, but what good would it do? If she went back to Morgan Valley and happened to see him around, maybe she could get a sense of how he was feeling and at least talk it through. He’d wanted them to remain friends. She could at least do that for him.
She put her phone away in the drawer before she gave in to temptation to text and ask him what the hell was going on. He loved his family, he always had, and they loved him right back, so why were they currently at war?
* * *
Kaiden smoothed his hand over the wood and stood back to gauge whether the surface was level. It was a lot quieter up at the Garcia Ranch than it had been a week ago when Bernie, Mike, and their crews had been remodeling the bathrooms. That had all been completed now leaving Kaiden to deal with the kitchen.
Beth moved past him to get at the newly installed stove. “Sorry, Kaiden. I’ll be out of your way in a minute.”
“No apologies necessary.” He smiled at her. “I’m the one who’s getting in the way here. I’ve just got this bit to finish up, and I’ll be done for the day.”
“Are you going to the party next Saturday?”
“I’ve been invited,” Kaiden said as he put his spirit level away.
“Well, of course you have. Ben’s your brother.” Beth smiled at him. “I think pretty much the whole town has been invited alongside you.”
“Yeah, Ben