you said your company only employs family members. How many people is that?”
“We’re up to eleven if you don’t count the kids, although one’s a toddler so she gets a free pass.” She smiled at his joke, causing him to do the same. “Some have other jobs, too, but we all pitch in on the ranch whenever and wherever needed. You’re welcome to come out and see the operation sometime, if that would help make your decision easier.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” she said, more out of gratitude that he’d not asked about the woman’s comment than any real need to see the beef still on the hoof.
Thankfully, their conversation flowed into even safer territory with him telling her about the various businesses in town that brought in tourists, or that were popular with the locals—or both.
“You’re going to have some competition from Keri Teague. She owns Mehlerhaus Bakery and is considered the best baker in Blue Falls.”
“I don’t mind a little friendly competition. It’s been my experience that there can never be too many desserts available. The number of people with a fondness for sweets is directly proportional to the number of sweets they can get their hands on.”
Adam laughed. “You and Keri should get a cut of Dr. Brown’s business. He’s the local dentist.”
She smiled. “That’s not a half-bad idea.”
Adam’s smile lessened a fraction as he glanced beyond her. Before she could turn to investigate why, an older woman stepped up to the table and placed her hand on Adam’s shoulder.
“I hear your family’s about to get a little bigger again.”
“You hear correctly.”
Was Adam married? She didn’t see a ring on his hand, but that didn’t mean anything. She knew ranchers who didn’t wear rings so they didn’t get caught on machinery and rip off a finger. Of course, he could be a father without a wife. He had mentioned kids on the ranch earlier. Though she barely knew him, she really didn’t want to believe he might be married and having a friendly, chatty lunch with her. She was well aware that men and women had business lunches all the time, but the fact that Adam didn’t come across as a married man made her hope he wasn’t. Not that she wanted to be with him. She just didn’t want to be faced with another lying, self-serving man.
Adam made eye contact with Lauren. “My oldest brother, Neil, and his wife just announced they’re having their first baby.”
“Oh, good for them.” She ignored the strange and unexpected feeling of relief that the child wasn’t his. She tried finding a valid reason for her reaction. When she couldn’t, she chose to ignore it.
“Yeah, it’s so nice seeing all the joyful events your family has been having—weddings, babies.” The woman shifted her attention toward Lauren. “I’m sorry. I must have left my manners in the car. I’m Verona Charles. I wanted to welcome you to Blue Falls. Everyone is so excited to have you here, and we can’t wait to see what you do with your place.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.” She wondered if there was a soul left in the county who didn’t know what she was up to. She accepted Verona’s hand for a shake. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Verona used to be the head of the Blue Falls Tourist Bureau before she retired,” Adam said.
“Yeah, but old habits die hard. I still have this urge to greet newcomers and visitors as soon as they cross the city limits.”
Lauren caught a shift in Adam’s expression—as if he was trying really hard not to smile or maybe even laugh. What was that about?
“Verona, your order’s ready,” one of the waitresses called out from behind the counter.
“Oh, I better get that. Taking lunch out to everyone at the nursery.”
After Verona took her leave, Adam explained her final statement. “Her niece, Elissa, owns Paradise Garden Nursery, a big garden center a short distance outside of town. That’s another tourist draw to the area, especially in the spring.”
“Ah. So now explain what was so funny.”
“You caught that, huh?”
She nodded as she swirled a fry through her pool of ketchup.
“I guess someone should warn you. Verona has appointed herself town matchmaker. If you spend any time here at all, she’ll try to pair you up with someone.”
A cold ball of dread formed in Lauren’s middle. A matchmaker was the absolute last thing she needed in her life right now.
* * *
ADAM CONSIDERED HIMSELF lucky that his attempt to not laugh at Verona was all Lauren had noticed. If she’d guessed that he’d momentarily been okay with the idea of Verona trying to match up the two of them, that likely would have been the end of any chance he had of winning her business. He had all the evidence he needed in her reactions to what both the unknown woman and Verona had said. He wasn’t Sherlock Holmes or anything, but even he was able to deduce she wasn’t interested in a romantic relationship. He had to admit he was curious why, but he wasn’t about to ask such a personal question of someone he’d met only a little more than an hour ago.
After they’d finished their meals, he asked Lauren if she wanted dessert.
“Better not. I’m so full now that I’m likely to want to take a nap when I get back instead of working.”
“Speaking of, you’ll want to be careful with that ladder, especially if you’re alone. When I first came by earlier, I was afraid you were about to topple off it.”
“I’ll be careful. A full body cast isn’t my idea of a good time.”
“That’s nobody’s idea of a good time.”
After they both paid for their meals, he once again held the door open for her. The rain had passed, leaving behind a faint hint of sun trying to burn its way through the clouds.
“You need a ride somewhere else?”
He spotted Angel just pulling into the parking lot. “No, thank you. My ride just showed up.”
She glanced across the parking lot. He could tell when she spotted Angel.
“One of the family members who works at Rocking Horse Ranch?”
He nodded. “My sister, Angel. She’s mainly a photographer, a darn good one, but she’s been known to string fence and muck out stalls.”
“My little sister dabbles in photography, too. Nature stuff, mostly. Does Angel specialize?”
“Ranch life and rodeos. She’s beginning to gain some recognition, has had some photos in a couple of national magazines.”
“That’s great. Well, I’ll stop talking your ear off and let you get on with your day.”
“No problem. Hope to hear from you soon.”
She simply nodded and headed toward her car, and he hoped he hadn’t come across as too pushy. He didn’t think he had, but you never knew how far was too far for other people.
When he realized he’d been watching her a bit too long, he turned away and headed for Angel’s vehicle.
“That was her, wasn’t it?” Angel asked as soon as he opened the door to her car.
“Yeah.”
“Looks as if things must have gone well if you two had lunch together.”
“I think our meeting went okay, but lunch was just an accident.”
Angel started the engine but didn’t pull out of the lot. Instead, she watched as Lauren drove by and gave a quick wave to them.
“How does an accidental lunch happen exactly?”
With