The Rancher's Fake Girlfriend - Leslie North Page 0,1

gone now. He shoved the empty plate across the table.

Noelle was quiet.

“Look, I know people think I’m the spare Radford. Jett’s the head of the family business, the one who knows how to get everything done; Shane’s the soul, the horse whisperer who can get an animal to do anything he wants; and I’m the comic relief. I get that. But it’s not like I’ve had a chance to show what I can do. How can I compete with my brothers if no one will take me seriously?”

“It’s not a competition,” Noelle said softly.

Chad let out a joyless laugh. “Yeah, tell that to the Cattlemen’s Association. Someone actually mentioned Jett’s name as a contender for Ralph’s seat. Jett hasn’t been to a meeting in years! I’m the one who goes to every meeting.”

“I’m sorry,” she said. “But I bet there’s a way you can change their minds. You’ve got a while to campaign. I could help you. The first thing we could do—”

Chad shook his head. “Noelle, thanks, but I’m not ready to get into logistics right now.” Not while he was still fuming, stuffed full of bitterness and hurt. But none of that was her fault. He gave her a weak smile as an apology for cutting her off. “I want to focus on this fine cup of coffee and think about the day ahead.”

And maybe daydream about that pretty thing behind the counter. Chad craned his neck to catch another glimpse of her.

Hannah.

“She went outside to change the chalkboard,” Noelle said with a grin.

“What?”

“I see you looking for Hannah.”

“I wasn’t. I was seeing if Tania was here.” Noelle’s other employee, Tania, had a bit too much of an edge to her to be Chad’s type, but she was still a lot of fun to joke around with.

“Yeah, right. I saw you checking her out. And I approve. Hannah and her daughter are still finding their way here in Kingsley. She could use a friend. Or more.” Noelle winked and punched Chad’s shoulder lightly.

“You think?”

Noelle’s teasing smile faded. “Between you and me, she’s a little closed off. I’m not sure how she ended up in Kingsley because she doesn’t talk about herself much. I think she’s had a rough go of it—I get the sense that this is a fresh start for her. But she’s a hard worker, she’s dependable, and obviously she’s cute as hell.”

“You ain’t kidding,” Chad answered, spotting her outside in front of the front picture window.

“She’s really good at chalk art, too, which is great because Tania and I both write like kindergarteners.” Noelle gazed outside then stood up quickly. “Shoot, that jackass is back. I banned him from coming in, but I guess he thinks the sidewalk is fair game.”

Chad’s face clouded at the sight of Tripp Hamilton’s hulking frame. Growing up in the same small town, Chad and the other rancher were close enough in age that they’d always been aware of each other—and they’d never gotten along. Calling him a jackass was putting it mildly. “Is Tripp bothering her?”

Noelle nodded. “They went on a few dates when she first got here, before any of us could warn her about what he’s like. Mr. Possessive seems to think that Hannah’s got a Hamilton brand on her now, and he won’t leave her alone. It’s bad, but it’s not bad enough that we can involve the police.”

“Yeah, but you can involve me,” Chad said, putting on his hat and standing up abruptly.

“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Chad Radford,” Tripp said in an overly friendly voice as Chad came outside. “Or should I say, the future chairman of the Cattlemen’s Association.” He smirked.

“Tripp,” he replied with a terse nod, then glanced at Hannah. She seemed caved into herself, with her arms hugged tightly around her torso. Tripp was standing too close, like he was about to grab her and sweep her into an unwanted embrace at any second.

Chad took a step towards her and extended his hand, so that his body was in between hers and Tripp’s. “Hi, my apologies that we haven’t formally met yet, but I’ve seen you around. I’m Chad.”

“Hi. Hannah.” She shot him a grateful look and shook his hand.

Something passed between them in the handshake, in the way she gripped his hand and clung to it for a second longer than was necessary. Chad straightened his back and turned to face Tripp, staying in between him and Hannah.

“What are you up to, Tripp?”

“Oh, not much, really. Just saying hello to