Marriage At Any Price. Lauren Canan
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ten days or so. Perhaps you know someone who’d consider becoming your wife. There’s still time.”
“I don’t think so, but again, thanks.”
Seth stepped out of the lawyer’s office with Mr. Rucker close behind him just as the front door opened and in walked none other than the horsewoman he’d met on the road. Her surprise at seeing Seth was immediate. But she quickly put it aside and turned toward Mr. Rucker.
“Did you get an appointment?”
“Ally, why don’t you come back after lunch and we can discuss it in private.”
“I have to go back to work. All I’m asking for is a yes or no.”
“I’m sorry.” He smiled at her and slowly shook his head. “I’m trying to get in touch with Wade or Cole, since they handle the company’s finances. Wade is out of the country. Cole and Chance are in New York doing double duty while their brother is gone. Why don’t we step inside my office for a moment?”
“I don’t have time,” she insisted. “You will excuse us, won’t you?” she said looking at Seth, then turned back to Mr. Rucker.
The elderly gentleman held up his hands to Seth in a gesture of helplessness.
“It’s okay,” Seth said, grinning. “I’ll be going.”
“I managed to speak with Chance,” Mr. Rucker said to the young woman, “and he said he knew nothing about it and we would have to wait until Wade returned.”
“And when will that be?”
“When his business is finished, I gather. I believe he has an appointment here in the latter part of next week.”
Seth heard her sigh behind him. Whatever they were talking about appeared to do nothing to improve her state of obvious frustration. She must be having a really bad day.
Still, Seth couldn’t help but catch the names Mr. Rucker had tossed out. Wade, Cole and Chance were his half brothers. He was tempted to blurt out his relationship and see if he could help her but at the last second closed his mouth. It wasn’t any of his business.
“Can you schedule an appointment for me then?”
“I’ll see what I can do, Ally. You know I will, but...”
“You think it’s pointless,” she finished.
“I think,” the attorney said, “that you have every right to talk with them. And to that end, I’ll do the best I can.”
“Thanks, Mr. Rucker.”
As she turned to leave, her emerald eyes fell on Seth.
“I see you made it to town, presumably without mowing anyone else down.”
“Miracles do happen. Actually, I did slow down after our encounter and enjoyed the countryside,” Seth said. “Thanks for the tip.”
“Any time.”
He opened the door and she walked through it, turning right and continuing down the sidewalk. Seth couldn’t help but watch as she seemed to glide down the street. She was still wearing the riding pants that outlined every detail of her slim figure. A leather belt emphasized her tiny waist, and her loose white shirt covered full breasts. She had a small, impish nose and lips a man could enjoy for hours. He felt his body immediately react to her, something that frankly surprised him.
It was too bad he didn’t pick up any vibes that she was the marrying kind. He just might be tempted.
“Mr. Rucker, could you recommend a good place to eat?” Seth said, turning back to look at the lawyer.
“Burdall’s City Café, just one block up on the town square. As a matter of fact, I was about to head there myself. You’re welcome to share my table.”
“Thanks. I’d like that.”
It was only a few minutes’ walk to the café, and they just beat the lunchtime rush. Seth pulled out a chair and settled in across the table from Mr. Rucker. He grabbed the menu from between the salt, pepper and sugar canisters and looked it over. It had a pretty wide selection for a small hometown restaurant.
A waitress set tall glasses of ice water down next to them and said she’d be back in just a few minutes to take their orders. But before she could return, they had another visitor at their table.
“Hi.” It was the redhead again. “Do you mind if I join you? There’s a line and I have to get back to work.”
“Of course,” said Mr. Rucker without hesitation. “Ally, have you met Mr. Masters?”
She stilled. “No,” she said, staring at Seth. “Not...formally, at least.”
“This is Seth Masters. Seth, Ally Kincaid.”
“Masters?” She frowned. Her eyes narrowed. “Are you any relation to Wade Masters?”
“Yes. As a matter of fact I am.”
“I knew it. When you almost ran me down on the road. You look like a Masters.” Her eyes rested on him, and she was silent for a few moments. Then, as though she thought better of saying what she had in mind, she changed the subject.
“You said you were from California, right? What do you do there?” she asked as she pulled out a chair and sat down.
“I own several companies, mostly electronics and pharmaceuticals.”
“Huh. Who would have thought? I would have better believed you were a contender for the Indianapolis 500.” She reached for a menu. “I’ll bet your pharmacy comes in handy when you get behind the wheel.”
“I’m just used to moving at a faster pace.”
“Yeah, I’ll bet you are. So, what are you doing in the sleepy little town of Calico Springs?”
“Just enjoying the view,” he replied, looking straight at her.
Seth watched as a light blush ran up her neck and touched her face before he returned to the menu. Her very scent was exciting: a subtle blend of exotic herbs, strawberries and leather. It had his pheromones working overtime. He had never experienced such an immediate attraction to a woman.
“Is everyone ready to order?” The waitress flipped a page in her notebook and took pen in hand.
Ally ordered a ham and cheese sandwich while Mr. Rucker and Seth chose to have steak. Seth glanced at the older man and saw a twinkle in his eyes. He suspected Ben was attuned to the banter going on between him and Ally and maybe had a little subtle matchmaking in mind.
After they had given their orders Ally turned her focus to Mr. Rucker. “So, did you pencil me in?”
“I had my secretary send Wade a text to see when he’s available. Once I hear back, consider yourself penciled.”
“Good. Thank you. I just hope he’s as reasonable as people say he is.”
She wanted an appointment with Wade? Seth couldn’t help but wonder as to the reason.
As though the question showed on his face, she set the menu aside and said flatly, “Wade Masters’s father stole my ranch. And I want it back.”
“Ally,” Mr. Rucker said in a cautioning tone, indicating she had spoken out of turn.
“What?” She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t care who hears. Half the town knows anyway.” She turned her focus on the newcomer. “The old man was a crook. He stole my ranch. Claimed my father used it for a loan that Dad never paid back. My father wouldn’t do something like that. Old man Masters took it all. Everything. Had me evicted after Dad died. I even had to fight to keep three mares and a stallion that were