Her Holiday Rancher

“Right.”

“I can count on one hand the number of times I spoke to your father. The last was when he came into the bank and met with Walt, the manager. For the record, I wasn’t in the meeting.”

“Yet you were named as trustee.”

“The bank was. I’m performing the duties because I’m assistant manager.” Not entirely true, but Reese wasn’t ready to reveal any private agreements between August and the bank.

“Does your father know?”

Reese stood straighter. “He doesn’t.”

“But he will soon enough.”

“Gabe, I didn’t strike up a conversation with you to bicker.”

“Then why?”

There it was again, that flash of heat in his eyes. Darn him and darn her susceptibility.

“How well do you know your brothers?”

Her question elicited a sharp laugh.

“Have you had a chance to talk with them these last few days?”

“I’ve had the chance. Not the inclination.” He studied her intently.

Reese resisted his close scrutiny. “I sense an animosity from them.”

“No kidding.” Gabe’s tone rang with sarcasm.

“I’m serious. Josh and Cole appear to be...unhappy with the terms of the will.”

“They aren’t alone.”

“I think Cole is only after money.”

“What are you after?”

This wasn’t going how Reese had hoped. She considered a different approach when Gabe’s glance suddenly cut to the left.

“Quiet,” he murmured and visibly tensed.

Reese peered over her shoulder. Josh and Cole weren’t three feet away. Both wore suspicious expressions. How much, if anything, had they heard?

Gathering her wits, she said, “There you are. I was telling Gabe, the four of us need to schedule a meeting to review the financial records and discuss your father’s plan for the ranch.”

“We were about to suggest the same thing.” Josh looked to his brother. “We have some questions.”

“What kind of questions?” Gabe demanded, his jaw tightening.

Placing herself between the three men, Reese plastered a smile on her face. “How’s tomorrow afternoon at the ranch? Say, two o’clock?”

Chapter Three (#ulink_f382dc93-2f43-5b4d-b03a-226096de9b70)

Gabe watched Reese bid goodbye to his mother and Hector, fetch her coat and purse from the back of a dining room chair and leave by the front door.

A moment later, when no one was looking, he followed her, catching up as she reached her parked car in the driveway.

“Reese.”

She stopped and turned, her car key clutched in her fingers. “Oh, did I forget something?”

“You by chance have a second?”

“Sure.”

She looked anything but sure. A second later, she popped the locks on her Honda sedan. Opening the car door, she deposited her purse on the passenger seat, then waited.

“Why didn’t you tell me yesterday you were the trustee?” he asked.

She crossed her arms over her middle. “My instructions were not to tell anyone before the reading of the will.”

“I helped you rescue your horse.”

“Doesn’t work that way, Gabe.”

He shifted, the chilly November air penetrating his dress shirt. Why hadn’t he grabbed his suit jacket before coming outside?

“Isn’t there a conflict of interest?”

“Rest assured, I’m completely unbiased when it comes to my job, and completely professional.”

“Your father has been after Dos Estrellas for years. Twice he tried to buy it when Dad fell behind on the property taxes. And he made an offer earlier this year. Dad was going through chemo. Nothing like kicking a man when he’s down.”

“What are you implying?”

“Can you be relied on not to use your position to advance your father’s ambitions?”

She pivoted on her high heels. It was a miracle she didn’t lose her balance and face-plant in the driveway. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that.”

Gabe took hold of her elbow. They both stilled. “It’s a fair question.”

“I have never used my job to advance my father’s ambitions or my own. Nor would I. You asking such a thing is insulting.”

“Look at me, Reese.” He waited until did. “I’m protecting my family.”

She sagged, some of the fight going out of her. “You’re angry—about the terms of the will and your brothers inheriting two-thirds of the ranch. You were also taken aback learning I’m the trustee. For those reasons, I’ll pretend you didn’t just question my ethics.”