Wrangled (Steele Ranch 2)

“How quaint.”

Just as I thought. “What is it you wish to speak about, Mother? Surely, you didn’t come all this way for the scenery.”

She pursed her lips, not liking my sarcasm. “You could at least invite me into your home.”

“May I offer you and your security detail a beverage?”

“No, thank you. Sutton has seen to us.”

I inwardly rolled my eyes.

“Mother, you pulled me away from something important with your unannounced visit. Please tell me why you are here.”

Her eyes narrowed. I recognized the look. I’d seen it often enough. She was upset at my lack of interest in her presence.

“Perhaps we can have some privacy.”

I sighed then. “You wish me to dismiss my friends while your security detail listens in? I think not. I have nothing to hide. The question is, do you?”

She turned on her heel and walked right past Sutton and into the house, the two security men following. Sutton remained where he was and I gave him a small smile as I walked past him. I heard Boone and Jamison’s boots on the steps, knew they were right behind me.

I found my mother in the dining room, sitting at the head of the table as if this was a conference room and she was in charge. I remained standing, my hands on the high back of a chair at the other end.

The security men remained in the great room, nearby if I decided to jump across the table and harm their charge. Boone, Jamison and Sutton all came into the room, pulled out chairs and sat down. Three big cowboys, hats resting on the table before them, ready to listen.

My mother raised one plucked eyebrow, then said, “You told me you turned down the job offers you’ve received.”

“I did.”

“Why?”

“I didn’t wish to live in Iceland.”

She lifted her hand, gave a quick wave as if pushing Iceland to the side.

“The company in Charlotte didn’t seem like a good fit,” I continued.

“But the one with Borstar would be much more accommodating. You may complete your dissertation and have the job. They will be quite flexible, I’m sure, with someone of your abilities.” She folded her manicured hands on the table.

I studied her closely. Remained silent. Considered her. She’d come eighteen-hundred miles for something important. Something important to her. She didn’t care about me. And she really didn’t care about Aiden Steele. She wanted to erase him from her life. Probably me, too, except I held some value to her. Not love. Value.

I could infer so much from her words. Everything, in fact. It was so obvious now. I laughed, looking at the woman who’d given birth to me. It was as if I’d needed glasses and I’d finally put them on. It was crystal clear.

“I was sent to boarding school to get out of your life.”

“That is not true,” she countered. “It was to give you the best education, advantages other children could never dream of having.”

Of a life devoid of love, a childhood no one would want.

“Your money paid off. I’m smart enough to see what this is all about.”

She remained quiet. Poised.

“You knew about the job offer was with Borstar. Now I have to wonder how I got the job, because of you or because of my brains.”

She gave a negligible shrug, but her shoulders stiffened impossibly more.

“A surveyor from Borstar was here the other day. What arrangement do you have with them?”