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Her eyes narrowed. "That's not an answer. Do you always avoid questions?"

"Only when I think the answer might get me in trouble."

She made a noise that could've been amusement. Or indigestion. Hard to tell.

"What do you do for a living?"

"I work on the ranch."

"Doing what?"

"Whatever needs doing." Technically my job title was COO, but I felt silly using it. Especially since I worked with my brothers and mom. It’s not like I’d had any real qualifications other than life experience helping Mom around the farm to earn the title.

"That sounds vague."

"It's a pretty broad job description."

"Do you make a good living?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Do you have debt?"

"Just my truck payment."

"Ever been married?"

"No."

"Engaged?"

"No."

"Children?"

"None that I know of."

She turned her head slowly.

I grinned. "That was a joke."

Her eyebrows lifted. "Was it funny?"

"Apparently not."

She folded her hands in her lap. "Why my daughter?"

That question caught me off guard. Not because I didn't have an answer. Because I had too many.

Before I could answer, she added, "She's a very successful woman. Very busy. Very independent. She doesn't have time for games."

"I know."

"Do you know?"

I glanced at her before returning my attention to the road. "Yes, ma'am."

"Then tell me why you're interested in her."