snagging a mug, a heavy white one with a local breakfast restaurant logo on it, she filled it. Then, raising it to her nose, she inhaled deeply before taking a sip. “Mmm. I like mine black.”
When she raised her gaze from contemplation of the delicious morning nectar, she saw him studying her, his expression unreadable. “What?” she asked. “Don’t tell me none of your previous guests drank black coffee.”
“None of the female ones, that’s for sure,” he said. “Are you always this...bouncy so early in the morning?”
“Yes.” Unrepentant, she grinned and then took another sip of coffee. “It’s my blessing, or curse, depending how you look at it. As to early...” She glanced around the kitchen for a clock, finally seeing a digital display on the microwave. “Since when is six thirty early? Getting up at four a.m. in the summer to work cattle is early.”
“I forgot you live on a ranch.”
Still grinning, she nodded. “I do. And Eldridge always made all of us help when we were young.” Though her smile wavered as she remembered the man she thought of as her father, she forced herself to continue on. “Most of us still help out around the ranch, along with pursuing our other interests.” Which, in her case, meant repurposing old furniture and curb-side treasures.
She took a deep breath. “Do you want me to make breakfast? I cook a mean omelet.”
“You cook?”
Realizing he still stood in the spot where they’d collided, near the doorway as if he wanted to be able to bolt from the room, she smiled. “I do. And I’m pretty darn good at it, too. Our ranch cook taught me.”
“Hmm.”
“An enigmatic response if I ever heard one.” She gestured toward one of the empty kitchen chairs. “Why don’t you sit down? I promise I don’t bite.”
Of course, the statement sounded a lot more provocative than she’d intended, definitely because the instant she’d uttered it, she pictured where and how she’d love to bite him.
Closing her eyes, she briefly allowed herself to linger over the fantasy. Then, she shook her head, took a big gulp of coffee and eyed him, letting a half smile play on her lips.
He still stood in the same spot as if rooted in place. “Look, Piper...” Shifting his weight from foot to foot, he dragged a hand through his hair. To her amazement, this ruffled look made him even sexier.
“We need to set up some boundaries,” he continued. “I don’t sleep with my clients.”
“I’m not your client,” she promptly replied, still smiling. “Technically, Fowler is.”
He sighed. “True. But I’m helping you try and find out what really happened to Eldridge and you’re going to assist me in locating my niece. You really need to take this seriously. It’s important.”
“You’re right.” Sobering, she nodded. “Sorry. I do take this seriously. It’s just you’re so darn good-looking, it’s distracting.”
After a second of startled silence, he burst out laughing. “Thanks, I guess. You’re not bad yourself. Now, that said, can we focus on business?”
“Of course.” Debating, even as she tried not to be offended that she apparently didn’t have the same effect on him as he did on her, she shot him a quick, narrow look. “After breakfast. If you have any eggs, I’m making an omelet. If you’d like one, you’d better speak up. Otherwise, I’ll just make one for myself.”
Just then, Truman came padding into the kitchen.
“There you are,” Cord said, setting down a large dog bowl full of kibble. “You’re late for breakfast.”
“He slept with me,” Piper volunteered. “He’s really an awesome dog.”
Cord nodded. “Yes, he is.”
She ended up cooking two omelets. He made toast and poured them each a glass of orange juice. He took a seat across from her and they both ate quickly and in silence, though she had to curb the impulse to speak.
Once they’d finished, he grabbed the plates, rinsed them off and put them in the dishwasher, an act that made her smile. She enjoyed watching him move around the small kitchen. Even if they managed to act completely businesslike around each other, she figured that would never change.
“More coffee?” he asked. When she nodded, he poured them both a cup.
“What’s on the agenda for today?” Eager to get going, she pushed to her feet. Since he hadn’t taken a seat, she figured that meant he was ready to get started.
He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got a personal errand to run first thing. After I get back, I figured we could discuss Renee. I can show you some pictures—she’s a big fan of selfies on her Facebook and Instagram pages. Maybe if you get a feel for what she’s like, her personality and looks, you might have some new insights into where she might be hiding.”
“How about we talk in the car?” she countered. “Once you tell me her info, I can pull up her social media accounts on my phone.”
“I thought you could stay here until I get back.”
“What?” She cocked her head. “You weren’t going to take me with you? Why not?”
Though he tried hard to appear annoyed, she could see the way he tried to keep from smiling. “It’s a personal errand,” he reiterated. “Which means it’s something I have to do alone.”
Suddenly, with a gut-wrenching realization, she understood. “Damn.” She only swore in certain situations. This definitely felt like one. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a girlfriend? I wouldn’t have come on to you if I’d known.”
Hurriedly, he bowed his head. At first, she thought it was to hide his anger, but as soon as she saw his shoulders shaking she realized he was laughing.
“What’s so funny?” she asked, her voice cross. “I’m not one to poach on another woman’s man.”
He apparently found her last sentence hilarious, because he busted out laughing. Arms crossed, she eyed him while he attempted to rein in his amusement.
“I don’t have a girlfriend,” he finally said. “And, Piper, you jump to conclusions quicker than anyone I’ve ever met. You take off at a tangent before I even get a chance to explain.”
She nodded. “I’ve heard that before. I’ve been told I might be a bit...overly enthusiastic.”
“That’s an understatement.” He spoke gently. “I’m going to pay a visit to an elderly widow who used to know my father.”
Of course her mind whirled at that. She could think of several different scenarios now, especially since she’d known his father. There were drunks and there were abusive drunks. Cord’s father fell into the latter category.
She ventured a guess, choosing the imaginary scenario least likely to offend him. “Collecting rent?”
“No.”
