Calder Promise (Calder Saga 8)

“Why?” Wariness leaped into his eyes.

“Somewhere in there, it states that the buyer must appear in person to pick up any stock purchased,” she teased. “Which means, if you want that filly, you’ll have to come get her yourself.”

The minute he realized she wasn’t serious, Boone responded to her smile. “I might be able to arrange such a visit,” he said and flicked a glance at the crowd, nearly elbow to elbow. “Maybe there won’t be so many people around then.”

“I can almost guarantee it,” Laura replied.

Another private jet soared into twilight’s purpling sky, its navigational lights winking as it banked south. Laura glanced idly in its direction, then surveyed the ranch yard, now nearly empty of vehicles. The few that remained were clustered mainly around the tents. Now that the sale was over the cleanup would begin.

“The Rutledges are gone, are they?”

Laura turned as her mother walked up to join her. “About twenty or thirty minutes ago,” she confirmed. “Boone will likely be back at the end of the week to pick up the horses they bought.”

Jessy studied her daughter with a quietly inspecting look. “Chase tells me you’re thinking about marrying him.”

“It’s possible.”

“Is that your idea or Tara’s?”

“Mine, of course, although I’m not surprised that you might think otherwise.” Laura was too used to the dislike that existed between Tara and her mother to take offense at the comment.

“I suppose I’m really wondering if you’re in love with Boone or in love with what you think he can give you.” As one, both set out in the direction of The Homestead.

“Isn’t it possible that it’s both?” Laura countered.

“It’s possible,” Jessy agreed. “But when you’re with him, you don’t act like someone in love. You’re too coolheaded.”

“Maybe I’m like you,” Laura suggested. “You don’t act like a woman in love, either. But I’ve seen the way you look at Laredo sometimes. And the way he lightly rubs your back when he thinks no one is watching. Just out of curiosity, Mother, why haven’t you married him?”

“Don’t change the subject, Laura.”

“Don’t dodge my question. Is it because he’s nothing more than an ordinary cowboy—and not a particularly good one at that?”

“That has nothing to do with it.” The denial was quick and decisive.

“Then why?”

“The decision was Laredo’s.” She turned a look of cool challenge on Laura. “Maybe you should ask him.”

“Maybe the next time I see him, I will,” she replied.

But she didn’t. She was too busy plotting out how she wanted Boone’s next visit to go.

A cane thumped across the hardwood floor and halted in front of the doors to the den. Chase looked in and saw Laredo leaning against the desk, one leg hooked over a corner while Jessy sat behind it, her blond head bent over the stack of checks she was signing. Planting the cane in front of him, Chase rested both hands atop it and leaned his considerable weight on it.

“When’s dinner gonna be ready?” he demanded gruffly.

Laredo pushed off the desk and came erect. “As far as I know, we’re just waiting for Trey and Laura to come down.”

“They should be here shortly,” Jessy added and laid the pen aside.

“One of you needs to holler up there and tell them to shake a leg.” Chase swung away and propelled himself toward the dining room with his cane. “A man could starve to death around here.”

Laredo came sauntering after him. “As little as you eat anymore, I’m surprised you even know when it’s mealtime.”

“I may not eat much,” Chase told him. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t get hungry.”

As they rounded the archway into the dining room, the clatter of booted feet running down the stairs echoed through the big house. Trey swept into the dining room about the time Chase reached his chair at the head of the table.