Madre de Dios! Catalina slammed her palm against the tabletop, all of the Latino in her coming out in the one phrase. As if you dont have enough problems. Why wont they roll it over into a new mortgage?
From what I gathered, theyve lost faith in my ability to manage the ranch. What with the rustling and hiring a new ranch hand.
Was it the advertisement that got them in a froth? Catalinas chocolate-brown eyes lit. I have to admit, it reminded me of the Wild West.
Her fit of desperation had backfired, and now Mona regretted placing the ad. However, she didnt regret hiring the man with the gun. His green eyes haunted her thoughts, vaguely familiar, as if shed seen them before, when she knew she hadnt met him until hed shown up in the canyon. Something like that.
I heard you actually got a man to apply for it.
I hired one. Mona didnt want to go into the details. She wasnt altogether sure why shed hired Reed Bryson on the spot. For now, she attributed her brash move to desperation.
So whats he like? Does he look like Clint Eastwood or John Wayne from one of the old westerns?
No. And it doesnt matter what he looks like, I have bigger troubles. She inhaled and let out a deep breath. How can I come up with fifty thousand dollars in thirty days?
Have you tried one of the other banks in Prairie Rock? If they wont help, you may have to go to Amarillo.
Ive never applied for a loan, which means I dont have a credit history. Ive only been paying on the loan my father set up. She dropped her head into her hands. I cant believe I didnt pay closer attention to the terms of the loan. Im doomed.
Cut yourself a little slack. Its not as if youve had a lot of spare time on your hands. Catalina snorted. So who is your cowboy? Anyone I know?
Why are you asking? You already know its Reed Bryson. By now everyone in town should know. She smiled sheepishly.
I just wanted to hear you say it. So, you hired Reed? Catalinas brows rose up into the fringe of bangs that swooped to one side of her pale olive forehead. She fanned herself with one of the plastic-coated menus. Hes hot.
You know him?
He broke up a few fights in Leons Bar over the past couple months while I was working my weekend shift. How could I miss him? A grin spread across her face. Howd you catch him? I couldnt get him to ask me out no matter how hard I tried.
I didnt ask him out, I hired him. Her cheeks warming again, Mona glanced toward the window.
Your face is turning red. What else did you do? Fess up, girl.
Mona sighed. Her friend knew her too well. I kinda told Sheriff Lee that Reed and I were living together.
You did what? Catalina chuckled. Id loved to have been there when you did. That mans been chasing you like a rutting bull for the past few months.
I know. He doesnt get the meaning of the word no. So when he came out about the missing cattle, I made up the story. Mona tried to shrug it off, but Catalina wasnt having any of it.
And Reed? He went along with it? Her friend sat back, crossing her arms over her chest. From what he told me, he didnt want anything to do with relationships. Seems
contradictory, if you ask me.
It was a lie. I made it clear to him that I only wanted him to provide a front to keep the sheriff out of my hair. Nothing else.
Well, good for you. Maybe something will come of the little game youre playing. You could do worse than have him as a husband.
Im not in the market for a husband. Im looking for a way to save my ranch. Mona stood. Speaking of which, I need to get moving. The men are out repairing the fences, and I have a loan to secure. Guess Ill check out the competition here and then head to Amarillo.
What about lunch? Catalina raced across the floor and grabbed a prepackaged sandwich from a glass-fronted refrigerator. At least take this.
Although the sandwich looked less than appetizing, Mona accepted it and dug into her purse for money to pay.
Its on me. Catalina laid her hand over Monas, halting her search. You know youll have to slow down pretty soon, dont you? She stared at the thickening waist Mona tried so hard to hide by wearing her shirttails loose.
Hiding her bulge wouldnt be an option in the next couple of weeks. Shed be forced to wear bigger shirts and the maternity pants Rosa had purchased from a resale shop. Of all times to be pregnant, now wasnt the best.
Catalina walked with her to the door. Id stop by this evening and check out your Mr. Bryson myself, if I didnt have to work. Why dont you bring him by Leons tonight, if you get a chance.
Dont think that a smoky bar is the place to be at this time. She ran a hand over her belly, the thought of cigarette smoke making the acid churn.
I guess not. Then give Reed a kiss for me, will you? Catalina laughed at the killer look Mona gave her. Okay, be that way. Keep him all for yourself. She glanced at the white truck pulling into a parking space several yards away. Look out, there are the Lang Oil speculators from hell.
Damn. Mona ducked behind Catalina. Between Teague and Lang, theyre as persistent as a heat rash in the summer. Kuhn was pushing Lang as a potential buyer for the Rancho Linda. Not that Id let that happen. Not as long as Im still breathing.