The Rancher Meets His Match (The Millers of Morgan Valley #4) - Kate Pearce Page 0,61

enough to praise” ethic, Kaiden had taught himself to accept compliments on his carpentry work without any qualifiers. “I really enjoyed making it.”

In fact, he loved making things for people he knew and always tried to put some of their personality into the work. Carved into the sides of the chest were intertwined images from both Ben’s and Silver’s lives that he hoped they’d eventually notice.

“It’s beautiful, Kaiden.”

Julia spoke in his ear making him jump. She was so close that he could smell her perfume and feel the press of her body against his side.

“It came out good.” He took a step back so that he could see her properly, leaving everyone else still crowded around the table. “I’m just glad they seem to like it.”

“How couldn’t they like it? It’s so personal, and unique, and . . .” She waved her hands in the air. “I’m running out of words here.”

“That’s not very lawyerly of you,” Kaiden said. “By the way, you look beautiful tonight.”

She blushed and looked right into his eyes. “Thanks.”

“Not going to tell me to knock it off, or anything?”

“No.” She smiled. “It’s a long time since anyone has said anything so nice to me so I’m taking it.”

“What? Are they all blind in San Francisco?” Kaiden asked. “You have always been the most beautiful woman I have ever known.”

She pointed over her shoulder at Silver, who was still examining the cabinet. “Yeah, right.”

“Are you suggesting I covet my brother’s wife?”

“You know what I mean. How can any mortal woman compete with that? And she’s so nice as well.”

“She is, but I’d still much rather look at you,” Kaiden said.

Her gaze softened, and she just stared back at him. “Kaiden . . .”

He couldn’t do it. Despite what Ben said, he couldn’t ask her whether she’d try and have a relationship with him anyway, because with her logical lawyer’s brain she’d pick apart any proposal he made and leave him for dead on the ground.

He turned back to the table. “Any chance I could get a drink around here?”

* * *

Julia could put her finger on the exact moment Kaiden Miller had shut her out, but she still wasn’t sure why. He was a great dinner companion, considerate of her needs, and willingly listened to her going on about the current state of the bathroom remodel, but something had changed. He even rested his hand along the back of the couch as they sat together after dinner, but he didn’t actually touch her.

She reminded herself that he was doing what she’d asked—keeping his distance, allowing her the space to just be his friend. But she didn’t like it at all. Which just showed what a selfish, inconsiderate person she really was.

At some point, Kaiden went off with Ben and Adam to look at a horse in the barn at the back of the house leaving Silver to entertain Julia and Lizzie. The three of them curled up together on the couches in the family room drinking hot chocolate and eating brownies.

“Is everything okay, Lizzie?’ Silver set her mug down on the coffee table. “You looked a bit tense when you came in.”

“Adam and I had another argument in the truck on the way here.” Lizzie sighed. “Well, not exactly an ‘argument’ because arguing with Adam is about as productive as getting annoyed with a rock, but we definitely had a disagreement. He just keeps on making these not-so-subtle comments about how if I lived up at the ranch he wouldn’t have to keep coming and fetching me.”

“Did you tell him you were quite capable of driving yourself wherever you want to go?” Silver asked.

“I did mention that, and then he started worrying about the state of my car, and how long it would last doing all these journeys, and what would happen if me and Roman got stuck.” Lizzie rolled her eyes. “I know he’s doing it out of love, but he just won’t stop.”

Julia sat forward. “I hope this doesn’t sound rude, and obviously I don’t know the full story. But is there a reason why you are reluctant to move up to the ranch?”

Lizzie smiled. “I don’t mind you asking at all. Sometimes, it’s good to get a fresh opinion on something you’ve been going round and round on for ages.” She paused as if to gather her words. “I guess it’s because I’m afraid that once I give up all those things I fought so hard to get, like my apartment, and my