The Intern (The Dalton Family #4)(63)

“Take every word of that compliment and run with it,” Jenner said, smiling at his cousin. “Walter isn’t known for handing out praise.”

“He’s right,” Walter agreed. “But you’ve earned it, Hannah.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

The truth was, I was just as blown away as Walter.

At Hannah’s ambition, at the respect she had shown me before answering any of his questions, at how well she had processed the hundreds of pages of information in Walter’s case file.

I’d heard several of the other lawyers at the firm speak about their interns. Many were book smart, but didn’t know how to apply their knowledge. Some could barely handle more than pushing paperwork around their desk.

Hannah was the exception.

And I had no doubt that she was soon going to become a brilliant litigator.

“I’d like to take you to the property,” Walter said, pulling his hand back. “Give you a chance to see the land in person, take some of your own pictures.”

“I’d like that,” I replied.

“Then, we’re going to my second-favorite restaurant in Jackson Hole.”

“And why not your first favorite?” Jenner questioned.

“Come on, son. You know the best restaurant in this town will be the one that’s in my hotel.” He looked at Hannah and me. “The hotel that you two are going to ensure gets built.”

“You can count on it.” I chuckled.





“I’m going to grab us another round,” Hannah said, jumping down from the stool as we sat around the high-top in the corner of the bar, where we’d come after dinner. “Does everyone want the same drinks?”

Walter, Jenner, and I nodded.

As Hannah left the table, I watched her disappear into the crowd of dancers, a much different setup than the spots we frequented in LA. There was a bluegrass band on a small stage in the front, and people of all ages were line dancing. With all the cowboy hats and thick belt buckles and boots in this room, I felt extremely out of place in my navy suit and gold tie.

The Wild West wasn’t just in movies, but never had I visited a town quite like Jackson Hole.

And never had I seen so many cowboys outside the rodeo.

“You’ve got a firecracker on your hands,” Walter said to me.

“You think so?” I looked toward Hannah, and one of the cowboys was standing just a little too close to her, the two of them talking.

Goddamn it. It didn’t matter where she was; she attracted attention.

I didn’t fucking like it.

Not one bit.

“She’s so much like my Joanna,” Walter said to Jenner, referencing his daughter for the second time today. “Eager, energetic. A girl who goes after what she wants and doesn’t settle. You know, I wasn’t sold on hiring Joanna right out of college. She was too young; she had no experience. I wanted her to prove herself, get a few years under her belt. But she fought hard, and by God, she won a position at Spade Hotels.” He shook his head. “I saw the same fight in Hannah today.”

The cowboy was now turned toward Hannah, smiling. His fingers were running through his beard and around his lips. He was flirting. Eye-fucking the hell out of her.

Why was the bartender taking so long to make her drinks?

Why was she even giving that cowboy the time of day?

I looked at Walter and said, “I’m not denying the fact that she’s going to be good—we can all see that. But the courtroom is a lethal environment. A place that can destroy the weak.”

“You’re saying she’s weak?”

“No.” I drained the rest of my drink. “I’m saying, I want her as prepared as possible, so when it comes time to fight, she’ll be ready.”

Walter’s eyes narrowed as he gazed at me. “I’m old and wise, young man. I’ve seen it all in my day, and I’ve probably experienced it in some form or another. That’s why I’m confident in what I’m seeing right now.”

The cowboy moved a pace closer to Hannah and set his hand on her shoulder.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think the bastard was going to lean down and kiss her.

But before his lips got anywhere near hers, I’d fly off this fucking stool and demolish his mouth.

“Wouldn’t you agree with me, Jenner?”

“Yes,” Jenner said, laughing. “I’m in full agreement.”

I turned toward the guys. “What are you talking about?”

Walter lifted his tumbler off the table and held it against his chest. “You.”

“What about me?”

Walter laughed. “Kids these days. They think us old folks are so out of the loop, except we see everything.” He nodded toward Jenner. “That one was no different, you know. He thought I was clueless, thought I had no idea what was happening between him and my daughter.”

Jenner sighed. “Turns out, what happens in Vegas doesn’t really stay in Vegas, especially if you’re sleeping in one of Walter’s hotels.” He smiled. “But, you know, us kids—as you call us—aren’t so blind either, Walter.”

Walter’s brows rose. “Oh yeah? How so?”

Jenner wrapped his hand around his drink. “You think we can’t see what’s happening between you and Gloria.”