happening around the ranch. Sometimes he’d ask her opinion about certain things and she would do likewise. Whenever there was a problem she couldn’t resolve—personal or professional—he was the first person she called. And no matter what he was doing, no matter whether it was day or night, he would make time for her.
When she saw Reese head inside the house, leaving the group of men behind, she closed the curtain and proceeded to go downstairs. But before she reached the doorway, the phone rang.
Kenna and Reese had come to an understanding years ago that their friendship gave them the right to answer the phone at each other’s place. If the caller took issue with it, then that was their problem.
She picked up the phone in her room. “Tall Oaks Ranch.”
There was a pause.
“Yes, I’d like to speak to Reese,” said a woman’s voice.
Kenna immediately knew it was Alyson Richards, Reese’s ex-girlfriend, the one he’d dated for almost a year. Everyone had assumed that Alyson might become Mrs. Reese Madaris. But a few months ago, Reese had called and surprised Kenna when he casually mentioned that he and Alyson were no longer seeing each other. Kenna had every reason to believe it had been Reese’s decision and not Alyson’s. He hadn’t given her an explanation for the breakup, and she hadn’t asked for one.
“No problem. Hold on a minute.”
“Wait! This is Kenna, right?” the caller asked.
Kenna’s mouth curved into a smile that all but said, like you didn’t know. Instead, she said, “Yes, this is Kenna.”
“Hi, Kenna, this is Alyson. Reese told me you were moving to Houston. How nice.”
“Yes, it is nice.”
“And he mentioned you were moving into a town house.”
Kenna really didn’t want to get involved in a long conversation, since Alyson had never liked her and they both knew it. “It’s not finished yet.”
“Oh.”
A smile touched Kenna’s lips. She could imagine the wheels turning in Alyson’s head. It wouldn’t take her long to figure out that she was staying with Reese until her condo was finished. “Hold on, Alyson. I’ll get Reese for you.”
“Fine.”
Kenna put the phone down and went to the edge of the staircase. “Reese, you have a call. It’s Alyson.”
He appeared at the foot of the stairs and stared up at her and smiled. She drew in a deep breath at the way his lips curved and how his dimples seamlessly appeared. She couldn’t help but wonder if he was smiling at her or if he was smiling because Alyson was calling. Of course it’s because of Alyson and not you, a mocking voice said in her head. Get real, LaKenna James. Reese has no reason to smile at you that way.
“Okay. I’ll grab it down here. Did you get some rest?” he asked.
“Yes, but you should have woken me up, Reese.”
“No, you needed to sleep. You missed breakfast, but come join me for lunch.”
“Okay.” She went back to her bedroom, and when she heard two voices on the line she hung up the phone.
Alyson Richards.
Kenna couldn’t understand why Alyson didn’t like her when she had been more than friendly to her. Alyson, who worked as an executive administrator at a local hospital, was beautiful and had everything going for her—including being the daughter of a Texas senator. The few times Kenna had seen Reese and Alyson together she’d thought they looked good together, and if they married, they would have beautiful babies. The very thought hurt, but she’d been honest about it anyway.
“If I had a man in my life I wouldn’t have time for such thoughts,” Kenna muttered as she made her way down the stairs. When she walked into the kitchen Reese glanced over at her and then said to Alyson over the phone. “Here’s Kenna, why don’t you ask her?”
She lifted a brow. Reese shrugged his massive shoulders and handed her the phone. “Alyson wants to ask you something.”
Kenna continued to hold his gaze. “Yes, Alyson?” she said evenly.
“Kenna, now that you’re moving to Houston you probably don’t know a lot of people and I’ve come up with this wonderful idea,” she said in a cheerful tone.
Was this the same woman she’d spoken to earlier? The one who’d acted cool and reserved? “And what’s that, Alyson?”
“That Reese should give you a welcome-to-town party this weekend.”
Kenna shook her head. “He doesn’t have to do that.”
“I think he should, since you’re his best friend. And I’ve volunteered to help and host it at my place. It’s more than big enough, and since it’s in town it will be convenient to everyone. Reese said it’s okay with him if it’s okay with you. I think it’s a wonderful idea.”
A part of Kenna felt she should appreciate the gesture, but she had an uneasy feeling about Alyson. Drawing in a deep breath she turned her gaze away from Reese to look out the window.
She wasn’t sure why the two had split. But from the sound of things, Alyson intended to use this party as a way to get back together with Reese. There was nothing wrong with Alyson trying to patch things up, even if it was with Reese—the man Kenna loved. And because she loved him, she wasn’t about to stand in the way of someone who evidently was trying real hard to get a ring on her finger. Especially since it was a ring that Kenna would never wear.
She turned around to see Reese still leaning against the counter, watching her. She knew what he was doing. He was trying to read her, trying to figure out what she was thinking. Their eyes held for a moment before she lowered her gaze. “A party sounds like fun, but I wouldn’t want you to go to any trouble.”
“No trouble. Just let me handle everything. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
She handed the phone back to Reese. “That’s nice of her to do that.”
Reese didn’t say whether he thought it was a nice gesture or not. Instead, he said, “Go ahead and sit down. A couple of PBJs with cookies and milk are coming up.”
Kenna smiled as she eagerly plopped down in one of the chairs at the kitchen table. At heart she was a simple girl who liked simple things. Though most women preferred gourmet food, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich topped off with cookies and milk hit the spot better than anything. The same was true for Reese. That was one of the first things they’d discovered they had in common.
She watched Reese as he made the sandwiches and thought the same thing now that she did whenever she saw him, no matter what he was wearing. He was more good-looking than any man had a right to be—gorgeous beyond words, ruggedly handsome and sexy to a fault. Plus he was the most wonderful friend in the world.
When other women saw him, they only looked at what was on the outside. She knew him inside and out. He was hardworking, honest and caring.
