Life After Wife (Three Magic Words Trilogy, #3)(36)

“Y’all was lucky that the fire didn’t shut you down.”

Sophie wiped the back of her hand across her forehead. “I was scared stiff for a while there. I thought for sure we were going up in blazes, but the firebreak plus those big buckets of water the helicopters dropped put an end to it. Still, it burned right up to three sides of us.”

“Hard work and luck,” Tillman said.

“Hey, girl,” Kate yelled and waved from across the yard.

Hart had let her out, and he was driving the trailer on out to the pens where he’d unload his stock for the sale. Several men were already walking in that direction to see what new cattle were arriving.

“Mercy, but that smells wonderful. When’s it going to be ready?” Kate asked.

“Noon. But if you are hungry there’s food in the barn.” Sophie looped her arm in Kate’s.

“I’m always hungry.”

Sophie pulled her toward the big open doors. “And hunger always makes you cranky. So come on and we’ll find something to eat. I didn’t have time for breakfast.”

“So did he kiss you again?” Kate whispered as they walked away from Tillman.

Sophie blushed crimson. “No! But I think we might be friends. He’s not interested in marriage, Kate. It’s not like it was with you and Hart. Y’all had so much heat between you that a person sunburned just standing close to you. With me and Elijah, it’s barely tolerance. But it could develop into friendship in time. I’m tired of fighting him for the ranch already, so I’m going to buy a trailer and put it on the backside, over by the other section line road, so I can come and go as I please. I’ve already got a spot picked out.”

“Make him get the trailer or build a house. You were here first,” Kate said.

“Actually, I want to be the one to move out. I think it’ll be good for me. I went from my parents’ house to a dorm room and then into marriage. I’ve never had my very own place like you did in Louisiana and Fancy did down in Florida,” Sophie said.

Kate stopped in front of the long table and sighed. “This all looks so good, I don’t know where to start. When we have our next sale, I’m going to make Hart do it like this. You’ll tell me how much percentage it ups the profits?”

Sophie handed her a plate. “Sure I will. And much as I hate to give a point to Elijah, it was his idea. We’ve had more buyers out here looking around than we ever did before. And I think it’s because of the food and drinks. Oh, and maybe the notepads and pens.”

“What?” Kate filled her plate to overflowing with two big sandwiches and barbecue chips.

“Elijah got this bright idea to order ballpoint pens and notepads with the ranch logo on them so the buyers could make notes about what cattle they were interested in buying,” she explained.

“The man is a genius. If you don’t kiss him again, you are an idiot, and I don’t have to be the borderline fool anymore.” Kate headed to a table, her long black hair swinging down her back. She’d dressed in shorts, cowboy boots, and a Western-cut shirt, and she looked every bit the part of a rancher’s wife. No one would ever guess that she had a degree in criminal justice and had been a fantastic detective down in New Iberia, Louisiana.

Sophie finished preparing a pulled pork sandwich and carried it to the table. Kate was making noises that said the food was good and nodding her head at Sophie. “How long in advance do I have to book Tillman?” she asked between bites.

“I have no idea. He was able to bring his crew out here for the whole three days on a day’s notice, but we’ve had him down to work the sale party for a year. You might want to talk to him if you really want him to do your sale next spring. I’m tellin’ you, he’s good. Yesterday he made shish kebabs and called it finger food,” Sophie answered.

“What’s on for supper?” Kate asked.

“Same thing. Ribs and brisket from noon until they shut it down at ten tonight. Then tomorrow he’s setting up for dinner with hamburgers during the sale. After that his crew, plus our three new hired hands, are going to power wash the floors and set up tables for the party tomorrow night. He’s making all of the regular barbecue-type foods for supper plus grilled shrimp, T-bone steaks, and some fancy kinds of desserts,” Sophie said.

“Wow! I’m getting my name on the calendar soon as I get finished. But first, tell me about this Elijah friendship thing,” Kate said.

“He’s easy to talk to,” Sophie said.

“Something that pretty would be.”

“You think he’s good-lookin’?”

“Are you stone-cold blind, woman?” Kate gasped.

Maybe I am. Maybe I’ve had too much pain in my heart and it’s made me blind, Sophie thought.

“Is Fancy coming with Theron?” She changed the subject.

“No, she doesn’t want to get the baby or Tina out in this heat. But she’ll be at the party tomorrow night. I made her promise to keep her housekeeper and babysitter there all night and get out. She hasn’t left the baby yet, so it’s going to be a tough time for her. We’ll have to rally round and convince her that it’s OK,” Kate said.

Sophie nodded, but her thoughts stayed on Kate’s comment about her being blind. Was Elijah trying to tell her that he was interested when he kissed her, or had it just been a fluke thing? Something that happened in the moment and then he regretted it, so that’s why he said that about a ranch needing a woman but not necessarily a wife.