Page 9

But just like I couldn’t turn down Davie’s offer to cater her vow renewal reception, I couldn’t say no to Connor either. Couldn’t deny his low, playful voice as I imagined that charming smile with those deep dimples.

“You’re a sucker, Hailey Jones,” I mutter to myself.

A sucker for my teenage crush who has grown up into one fine-ass cowboy or mountain man, depending on the day—sexy Stetson or sexy flannel.

Of course, when he wears the combo, then…

Pull yourself together!

I yank myself out of daydreams that are going nowhere fast and park in front of the large farmhouse at the center of the ranch’s operation. It’s quaint with white siding and yellow shutters. A cheerful yellow door welcomes visitors, along with the red, white, and blue wreath decorating its front.

The Fourth of July was over a month ago, but those colors scream summer in America, so it works.

“Hailey! You’re here!” Davie exits the house with her son, Jesse, hanging onto her hand and leg.

“I am,” I say awkwardly, bending to gather my tote full of notes and food suggestions for Connor.

“When Connor mentioned a Ranch Bash, the name alone had me saying yes. It’s too fun to let it go to waste.”

Laughing, I follow her into the cool house. Thank god for air conditioning. My thick thighs stick together like honeybuns straight from the oven, and sweat loves to battle with my anti-chafing cream.

“So, it’s a new event? A couple years old or something?” Davie had only moved to High Ridge around three years ago based on the stories I’ve heard around town.

“Very new.” She nods and gestures for me to take a seat at the kitchen table before settling Jesse in his high chair and reaching for a pitcher of lemonade. While she pours two glasses, she explains, “Connor approached Cormac about it out of the blue. He had the idea, brought it up, and here we are.”

“Out of the blue?”

A suspicious inkling blooms in my belly.

What? You think he orchestrated an entire party just to hire you and keep you around?

Shaking my head at the silly notion, I focus on Davie while chugging my lemonade. My throat is suddenly dry as a tumbleweed rolling across the desert.

“Yep. Cormac was surprised since Connor is usually a stickler about superfluous expenses.” She rolls her eyes at the phrase like she’s heard it a million times from her brother-in-law.

And why is it so hot imagining athletic Connor, known High Ridge High School jock, with nerdy classes spouting statistics and showing off spreadsheets?

Beauty, brawn, and brains.

The full package.

I’m so screwed.

And speak of the devil…

“Make fun of me all you want—” Connor strides into the kitchen with a smile on his face. He must have overheard her in the hallway. “—but I stand by those words. The Ranch Bash just doesn’t qualify as a superfluous expense. It will build ranch morale, which improves job satisfaction…”

“Which increases profits,” Davie parrots behind him. “Yes, I’ve heard the spiel numerous times, and you won’t get an argument from me. I’m all for a summer party.” She hefts Jesse into her arms to make her exit. “I’ll let you two talk while I find Linnea.”

“She’s in the study. I just left her with some receipts to file.”

“Sounds good. Catch y’all later!” Davie shoots a mischievous grin towards me with a comical wiggle of her eyebrows before disappearing through the kitchen doorway.

What’s that about?

Does she know about my history with her brother-in-law?

“So…”