to eye level with the child.
“Why, thank you, sir. I take it you are the owner of this fine ranch.”
The child beamed, and the real owner even managed a grudging reply. “Gavin will own this spread someday no matter what I have to do.”
Thinking his was an oddly defensive remark to a total stranger, Carly mumbled something and moved away. Carson Benedict was about as friendly as a rattlesnake. And he didn’t seem the least bit thrilled to have all these guests on his land, though he was the owner and must have the ultimate say in what happened here. And if he was in a celebratory mood for his birthday, she didn’t want to be around when he was ticked off.
Weird.
“Pay no mind to Carson,” Teddi said, catching up to her. “His bad attitude is just an act.”
“Well, he’s good at it. Has he ever thought of a career on the stage?”
Teddi’s musical laughter rang out. “Too busy worrying about this place, I think.”
No doubt operating such an establishment did require a great deal of work.
“How many guests can you accommodate?” she asked, taking in green pastures and barbwire fences that spread as far as the eye could see.
“Thirty at the most.” Teddi Benedict was never still, and in the evening sun her brown hair glinted with red highlights. “Other than the house, we have two bunkhouses—one for guests and one for the cowboys.”
“Ah. A real working ranch, then? Just like in the brochure.”
“Absolutely. If you want to ride out and work with the hands, you can do that. Or you can go for the planned events, trail rides, whatever you want.” Teddi did one of her mercurial shifts, hazel eyes dancing. “This place is perfect for the single female. You are single, aren’t you?”
“Uh…yeah.” Permanently.
As if Carly’s unattached status was something to celebrate, Teddi clapped her small hands and nearly did a jitterbug.
“Wonderful, Carly. You are surrounded by men.” She swept a hand toward the gaggle of cowboys who now held paper plates and chowed down on pork ribs. “Find one. Have a romantic holiday. Maybe even discover your one true love. This place can make it happen.”
Carly held up a hand to stop the tirade. “Thanks, but no thanks. Romance is the last thing on my mind.”
And would likely stay that way forever. She didn’t need a man; she needed to successfully investigate something and prove to her brother-in-law that she really could solve a case without screwing up.
As if that was going to happen out here in cowville.
At that moment Luc Gardner came strolling down the brick walk, thumbs in his belt loops, looking mouthwateringly delicious. Carly forgot what she was saying.
“Luc!” Teddi gushed, jewelry clanking like a ghost in chains. “I’m so glad you decided to join us.”
“The scent of Western barbecue could drive a man to madness.”
“Exactly the result we were going for. Tell you what. You met Carly earlier, right?”
Luc turned those Mediterranean-blue eyes on Carly and smiled. “Lovely seeing you again, Carly.”
“Yes, lovely,” she mumbled weakly. She was salivating, but it had nothing to do with the spicy barbecue.
Before she could make a bigger fool of herself, Teddi stepped in. “So, Luc, sweetie, will you be Carly’s dinner partner tonight and help her get acquainted?”
“That isn’t necessary.” Now that she’d found her voice and had shaken off the annoying attack of weak knees, Carly was embarrassed at Teddi’s machinations.
“It would be my pleasure,” Luc replied over her protestations.
Teddi squeezed his bicep, setting her bracelets a-jingle. “Oh, I just knew you would. You are such a sweetheart. If y’all will excuse me, I really should go say hello to the new family from Ohio.”
Like a will-o’-the-wisp, she danced away, leaving Carly alone with Luc. How embarrassing. And how awful for Luc to be put on the spot this way. All her life her family had played matchmaker, dumping her on unsuspecting guys—and it never worked out.
“Really, Luc,” she said, liking the way his name rolled off her tongue but not particularly fond of her sudden propensity for stuttering, “I can fend for myself.”
“But I am alone here, too. I would enjoy sharing dinner with you.” He made it sound as though they were dining on caviar and champagne at the Ritz. “That is, if you are in agreement.”
Agreement? Ecstasy was more like it. Not because he was far more handsome than any man here. And not because his accent made her stomach flutter. But because she wanted to know why a man like him was here, alone, on an Oklahoma dude ranch a million miles from nowhere. That was all. Mere P.I.’s curiosity.
“You do not mind, however, if I greet our host first?” Luc went on. “Would you care to accompany me?”
After their initial meeting, she had no desire to play chummy with the dour rancher.
She grimaced. “I’ll pass.”
Luc looked at her quizzically. “Have the two of you met?”
“A few moments ago. And I have to tell you, the birthday boy isn’t the friendliest host around.”
“Carson?” Luc’s blue gaze flickered to the rancher now sitting at a picnic table with the small boy. The incredibly ugly blue-eyed dog sat on the bench, too. “Carson is all right. A bit too private to run a bed-and-breakfast but a good man nonetheless.”
His answer surprised her. How would a guest make that kind of evaluation in two days’ time?
“Then why don’t you go say hello while I get us a couple glasses of iced tea.” She pointed to a table covered in red-checkered vinyl. “I’ll meet you under that tree over there.”
Like a king honoring his subjects, Luc inclined his golden head. “Excellent idea.”
As Luc strolled away, Carly headed for a shaded area where Macy, the ranch’s receptionist, manned a spigoted container of sweet tea. Behind Macy an angelic-looking toddler sat on a quilt, gnawing a banana.
“Who’s the cutie-pie?” Carly asked.
Mousy Macy, as Carly had secretly termed her, lit up like the night sky on the Fourth of July. “That’s Hanna, my little girl. She’s two.”
The child, all blue eyes and curly blond hair, waved a chubby hand at Carly. “Hi.”
“Hi, yourself,” Carly said before glancing back to Macy. “She’s adorable.”
Macy filled a large plastic cup with tea and handed it to Carly. Her voice was soft and shy. “Thank you. I think so, too.”
Once
