Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(66)

Ben scrubbed his hand over his jaw. This had caught him off guard. “Look. I appreciate

your trust in me. I ain’t gonna say nothin’ to nobody, but I need time to chew it

over. Okay?”


“Okay. But don’t forget the ticking clock.”


Tara delivered the food. She dropped Tell’s hot beef sandwich almost from eye level.

The cheeky bastard just grinned at her and said, “Thanks, darlin’.”


Conversation ceased as they ate.


Ben made a point not to stare at Ainsley, because his cousins would notice his

distraction.


Then again, Tell and Dalton shoveled food like they’d never seen it. “What’s the

rush?”


“No need to sit around and bullshit when there’s work to finish.” Dalton dropped a

twenty on the table. “Let us know if you find anything out.”


As his cousins exited the restaurant, Ainsley and the mayor headed toward him. Ainsley

kept her expression blank.


The mayor, Mark Gilbert, was effusive. “Ben McKay! I haven’t seen you in town for a

while. Did we tick you off or something?” He thrust out his hand.


Ben shook it. “No, sir, Mr. Mayor. Just keeping myself busy on the ranch. Snuck into

town to have lunch with my cousins.”


Mark leaned in. “What’s with this Mr. Mayor bullshit? We’ve known each other since

elementary school.”


Ben held Ainsley’s gaze. “Just wanted to show you the proper respect when you’re

havin’ lunch with the president of Sundance’s newest bank.”


He laughed. “Of course you’ve already met the lovely and capable Miz Hamilton. The

McKays have a knack for knowing when a beautiful new woman arrives in town and

mercilessly working her with those cowboy charms.”


Slathering on the flattery for Ainsley while taking a small shot at him? Mayor Mark

didn’t miss a trick.


Ben offered Ainsley his hand. “Good to see you again, Miz Hamilton.”


“You too, Mr. McKay.”


“Ainsley and I were just discussing ideas for the next community event. We’re hoping

to have something big to welcome National West Bank to our community. You have any

thoughts?”


Ainsley cocked her head. “I’d love to hear your input. I’ve heard your family is a

big part of this community and has been for over one hundred years.”


“At the risk of bein’ accused of nepotism, I’d suggest a community celebration to

honor my brother Chase’s accomplishments this past year. He might not be headed to the

PBR World Finals, but he’s done an outstanding job starting his own advocacy group for

mandatory safety helmets in bull riding. The mayor knows any time Chase comes back to

town there’s always people interested in hearing him talk. Now that he’s gone and

married himself a genuine movie star?” Ben grinned. “This community event could have

worldwide attention.”


“That’s an excellent suggestion, Ben.” Mark said. “Would Chase be interested?”


“I can ask him. If he is you’ll have to get in touch with his PR people to finalize

the details. I only see one problem with this.”