Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(130)

Ainsley had on her shrewd bank president face. “Say I agree to help you. Would there

be a chance I’d get any of the other McKay banking business?”


That question brought him up short. Was what Steve Talbot said true? She had her eye on

his family’s coffers? “You’d have some of mine. Isn’t that a start?”


“I suppose, but I am first, and foremost, a businesswoman so I’d really like the

chance to pitch National West’s financial benefits to your entire family—”


“Hey, Ben.”


Startled at the interruption, he glanced up and bit back a groan. He hadn’t seen

Michelle Littlefield, a woman he’d dated right out of high school, for several years.

This was one of his least favorite things about living in Sundance—he always ran into

someone he knew. “Michelle. How are you?”


“Great. When Gloria came back into the kitchen to tell me you were in the dining room,

I had to come out and say hello.”


“It’s been a while.”


“About eight years since I left to attend cooking school. I just recently returned to

Sundance.”



Then it clicked. Littlefield. “Fields is your restaurant?”


“I always knew a smart guy lurked beneath that handsome face of yours,” she teased.


Ben felt his cheeks warm beneath Michelle’s admiring gaze and Ainsley’s curious one.

“Ah, Michelle, this is Ainsley Hamilton. She’s the bank president at National West.

Ainsley, Michelle Littlefield.”


“Pleasure to meet you, Michelle.”


“Same here. Sorry if I interrupted a business lunch. I wanted to say hello and mention

I’d love to catch up with you sometime, Ben.”


Luckily Michelle left before Ben had to formulate another lie about how much he’d

enjoy that.


Ainsley raised an eyebrow.


“Sorry.”


“Not your fault. But I’m beginning to understand why you prefer spending your free

time at the club in Gillette.”


“And why’s that?”


“Because you can whip the women who annoy you.”


He chuckled.


“Back to the loan issues. I’m not trying to discourage you. But you need to be aware

loans are very hard to come by in this economy. Even for people like you, who I’m

assuming has established good credit. Taking on additional financial burden without a

guarantee you’ll have increased income? I want you to consider very carefully about

applying at your regular bank first.”


“I have. And I can’t.”


She studied him. “I’d have to delve into your financials, Ben, and I don’t know how

comfortable I am with that.”


“It’s nothin’ I wouldn’t tell you if you just asked me.”


“You’re that open about your finances with everyone?”


“No. But we’re more than just casual acquaintances, Ainsley, way more.”


She turned her gaze away from his.


“Look at me.”


That command grabbed her attention but she glared at him. “Don’t do that.”