kind of busy running a dude ranch.” Half of one, anyway. “I mean, helping run.”
“Are you coming home anytime soon?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Tell me about the partner.”
“Maybe some other time.” Her gaze flitted to Chase. Watching her.
“Oh, so he’s there. Is he cute?”
Landry’s face heated. She spun her chair, kept her back to him. “I’m sort of busy right now.”
“He is, isn’t he?”
“Devree. Was there a reason you called?”
Her sister’s sigh echoed through the line.
Landry’s pulse went up a notch. “Are Mama and Daddy okay?”
“Everybody’s fine here. But I have to tell you something, because I don’t want you to hear it somewhere else. I don’t want to tell you, but you need to know.” Her sister always rambled when nervous. “I was hoping to tell you in person.”
“Just tell me.”
“It’s Kyle. He’s engaged.”
Landry’s stomach landed at her feet.
“Are you still there?”
“I’m here.” Her voice didn’t sound right. It was hollow. Just like her insides.
“I’m sorry, Landry. I just thought you should know.”
“It’s okay.” Kyle had moved on—planned to marry someone else just over ten months after humiliating her at the altar. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Thanks for telling me, but I need to get back to work now.”
“Call me if you need me.”
“I will. Love you.”
“You, too.”
She ended the call, just sat there, staring out the window.
Her insides boiled. But not with hurt. Anger more than anything else.
“Is something wrong?”
She jumped. For once, she’d forgotten all about Chase.
“Nothing. Everything’s fine.” She kept her back to him. She couldn’t process this under his scrutiny. Didn’t have the strength to spar with him.
If only she could melt through the floor.
* * *
What had her sister said? Obviously something upsetting. Chase watched her. So still.
Minutes passed with her back still toward him. Finally she turned her chair to the desk, her face a blank slate. She stared at the computer screen, moved the mouse, then began typing.
Was it his imagination or had she gone pale? Should he quietly leave the room? Or try to help?
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Just tired.”
It seemed like way more than that.
“I can handle anything that turns up if you want to turn in.” He kept his tone gentle.
“I think I will.” She got up and quickly scurried out of the room.
“Good night.” Chase stared after her.
He really shouldn’t. But curiosity was getting the best of him. He’d seen her stare at the computer when she’d gotten off the phone. Had she looked up something?
It was worth a try. He had to learn what caused that stricken look on her face. He moved to the desk, opened the browser and clicked on History.
Engagement announcements from the state paper. He clicked the link.
Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Reginald Billings Sr. announce the engagement of their son, Kyle Reginald Billings Jr., to Waverly Larissa Heathcott...
The blond preppy guy again. Wow, he’d moved on from Landry in less than a year. With a bombshell blonde this time, though posed almost exactly as he had with Landry. While she’d been preparing to move to the dude ranch, her ex-fiancé had proposed to someone else. And apparently she’d just found out.
That explained things. Was she crying in her room? Alone and upset? What should he do? Ask Mom to check on her?
No. He wasn’t supposed to know.
Even though he didn’t trust her, didn’t want her around, the thought of her anguish tugged at his heart.
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