Steal My Heart (Prosperity Ranch Book 2)

by Heather B. Moore

  “That I’m not dating?” Carson said, scrubbing a hand through his hair. “How so?”

  Grandad merely grunted, then turned from the counter and rustled for something in the pantry. “Here you go,” he said, producing an old, beat-up cowboy hat. The only redeeming quality was that it was in better shape than the one Grandad currently wore. “Got ya something. It’ll keep the sun off that lily-white face of yours.”

  “Uh, thanks,” Carson said, taking the hat, then setting it atop his head. It had been a while since he’d donned a cowboy hat. He had his brother’s in his apartment back in San Antonio.

  “Now you look like you belong in Prosper,” Grandad said.

  “About that,” Carson said. “You know this visit is not a commitment yet, right?”

  Grandad waved a calloused hand. “Finish your chili, then we’ve got to get moving. Why don’t you drive?”

  “Sure thing,” Carson said. And that’s how it was between him and Grandad.

  The rodeo arena was larger than Carson expected, and as he walked around it, Grandad talked about upgrading the concessions, adding an extra parking lot on the south side, and other things, but Carson’s attention had been distracted by the framed photos in the manager’s office.

  A couple of the pictures were of a bull rider named Knox Prosper.

  Carson studied the action shots. This was Evie’s older brother.

  “You’ve heard of Knox Prosper?” Grandad asked, coming to stand by him.

  “Not until I met Evie,” Carson said. “I guess I’m not up to date on the rodeo circuit.”

  “Knox Prosper is a legend in this town, or at least he was until he had a falling out with his father.”

  “The mayor? Really?”

  Grandad nodded. “Word is that he took his inheritance on an early draw. Went through a divorce, and his ex-wife married Holt, Knox’s older brother.”

  “Wow,” Carson said. “That’s a lot of family drama.” He’d heard nothing about it from Evie, but why would she tell him in the first place?

  “Just prepping you if we decide to go eat at their place tonight.”

  Carson eyed his grandad. “What do you think?”

  “I’m always up for some entertainment.”

  Carson laughed. “Yes, you are.”

  After they left the arena, they stopped at the feed store, and Carson loaded up on more gardening implements and fertilizer. “What do you want to plant?”

  Grandad rattled off a few things, and Carson bought starters for several vegetables.

  The moment they returned to the dilapidated ranch, Carson set up the television, then he told Grandad he’d be working on the garden. “You can take a nap if you want.”

  “Nap?” Grandad said, as he settled into the overstuffed chair in front of the TV to make sure he could see the screen okay. “When in the Sam have I ever taken a nap?”

  Carson chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s just a suggestion, Pops.”

  Grandad waved him off with a grunt, and Carson headed out the back. As he worked, he thought about Evie and what she’d said about Prosper. Yeah, it was a tiny town, but Carson didn’t mind that. He was past the years of intense football workouts and playing games. Past the years of high school dating. Past a lot of stuff. Life had changed when he’d lost his brother. Family had always been important, and now it was everything.

  He understood Evie’s sentiments of wanting to live in a bigger city, but he also wondered where she’d end up. These weren’t things he should be dwelling on. Evie was a beautiful woman, an interesting person, and she’d made it clear her mind was made up. Not that it would affect Carson either way. He had no intention of getting involved with a woman at this point in his life. Maybe a couple of years down the road, when more time had passed, and his emotions had settled. And seeing an accident didn’t shut him down.

  Three hours later, he was in need of a shower, but he’d made a lot of progress in the garden. He’d cleared out all of the dead stuff and turned over the soil, mixing in some fertilizer.

  He headed into the house for a drink and found Grandad sound asleep in his chair. Carson left him to his nap and jumped in the shower, then changed. It was nearly six, and when he came out of the bedroom, he hesitated, debating whether or not to wake up his grandad.

  But Carson did want to see Evie again, and it was probably a good idea to be a decent neighbor.

  “Grandad,” Carson said, nudging his shoulder.

  The old man’s eyes flew open. “Huh? What’s happening?”

  Carson held back a laugh. “You were asleep.”

  “Like Sam I was.” Grandad pushed off the chair. “What time is it?”

  “Ten to six.”

  “We got a dinner appointment,” Grandad said. “What are you waiting for? Come on.” He snatched the hat from where he’d left it on the kitchen counter, then strode to the front door. “You’re driving again.”

  Carson shook his head as he followed Grandad. It was always an adventure with him. And he hoped to get some serious time this week to go over the entirety of Grandad’s company and make sure this was something he could do and not screw up.

  As they drove the short distance to Prosperity Ranch, Grandad continued to talk about Evie’s family. All about a little girl named Ruby and how the mayor’s other daughter was in some sort of famous culinary school.

  When they pulled up close to the driveway, it seemed they’d been heard arriving, and one of Evie’s brothers walked out.

  He headed straight for the truck as Carson climbed out.

  “Carson, right?” he said.

  “Right, and you are . . .”

  “Lane.” His blue eyes were a shade murkier than his sister’s. “Holt’s in the barn. Wanna come with me for a second?”

  Carson glanced over at Grandad, wondering if he was invited, too, or what this invitation was all about.

  “Go ahead,” Grandad said, “I’ll go inside and make myself at home with your mother’s lemonade.”

  Lane grinned. “Sure thing.” He clapped a hand on Carson’s shoulder, a bit hard. “Let’s go.”

  They walked to the barn, and Carson couldn’t help asking about the ranch. “You’ve got a real stellar place here. Puts Grandad’s place to shame.”

  “It all takes time,” Lane said. “The Andersons have been gone almost ten years, so I’m sure there’s a lot of work to do, and we can help.”

  This Carson hadn’t expected. “That would be amazing,” he said. “I’m here this week, but then I’m back in school.”

  “Evie said you’re getting a master’s?”

  “That’s right.” Carson wondered what else Evie had said about him, and why he liked the notion of her talking about him.

  “That’s a step in your favor,” Lane said.

  “What does that mean?”

  But they’d reached the entrance of the barn, and Lane called out, “Holt, he’s here!”

  Evie had heard the truck pull into the driveway, but when Mr. Hunt was the only one to come inside, her senses immediately went on alert. Well, more so than they already had at the thought of Carson Hunt eating dinner with practically her entire family. Maybe he hadn’t come?

  So, she continued slicing the cucumbers for the giant salad she was making, listening to her parents chat with Mr. Hunt.

  And then Evie glanced out the kitchen window. There, at the edge of the barn, stood three men. She definitely recognized her two brothers, and it appeared they’d cornered Carson Hunt.

  “Oh, no you don’t,” Evie hissed under her breath. She set down the knife and abandoned the cutting board, then strode out of the kitchen.

  Without a word of explanation to anyone, Evie hurried outside, wiping her hands on her apron. Oh, apron. She yanked it off and balled it up in one hand. As she neared the men, Holt glanced over at her. Amusement flashed across his face, and that only made Evie angrier.

  It was a known thing in Prosper that any guy who wanted to date a Prosp
er sister had to answer to the brothers. So help her if her brothers were grilling Carson Hunt. They were absolutely not dating, and Evie was no longer a teenager.

  “Well, hello, Evie darlin’,” Holt said.

  “Don’t darlin’ me, Holt,” she said.

  He chuckled, totally unfazed that she was about to combust. At the sound of their conversation, the other two men turned.

  Lane’s smirk was in full force, and Carson simply gazed at her, those nice eyebrows of his raised just a bit.

  “To what do we owe this pleasure, sis?” Lane asked. “Is supper on?”

  Evie settled her hands on her hips. “Leave Carson alone,” she said. “He gave me a ride, that’s it. Nothing more. You don’t need to ask him about his family, his education, his pedigree, his standards, his former girlfriends, whether he’s been convicted of a crime—”

  “Whoa, Evie,” Holt cut in, placing a hand on her shoulder. “We weren’t grilling your friend here about any of that. What do you take us for?”

  Evie’s breath stopped in her throat as she looked at her brothers. Both of them were holding back laughs. And Carson? He was gazing like she was in a museum exhibit—like he wasn’t sure he was believing what he was seeing.

  “You’re . . . you’re not?”

  Lane grinned, and Holt chuckled.

  Then Evie blushed. All the way to her toes.

  “Carson here is helping his grandad,” Holt continued, “and we were giving him some advice since the cleanup of their place is much too big for a couple of men to handle.”

  “Oh.” Evie’s voice sounded very, very small.

  “Why do you always think we’re talking about you?” Lane said with a snicker.

  Holt’s chuckle borderlined a laugh.

  Evie pointed at him. “Don’t you dare.” Then she turned, her apron still balled in her hand, and strode back to the house. Never mind that all three men were certainly watching her every departing step, and would likely burst into laughter as soon as she entered the house.

  Whatever. She didn’t care. And she couldn’t explain to Carson anyway, because it wasn’t like she’d be seeing him after dinner was over. He’d brought up her giving him a tour of the town, but that was off the table now.

  She might have to spend the week with her family—and she’d somehow survive her two brothers’ teasing—but she had no obligation toward Carson. In fact, she’d be taking the bus back to school. Or maybe tell Holt he had to drive her. He certainly owed her that.

  Before she reached the porch, a car pulled into the driveway, and out stepped Macie, Holt’s wife. Her dark hair waved about her shoulders, and as usual, she looked as pretty as a peach with her brown eyes and honey complexion.

  “Hi, Evie,” Macie said, hurrying toward her and giving her a hug. Drawing back, she continued, “How are you?” Two lines formed between her brows. “Are you okay?”

  So, maybe Evie’s eyes were watery with angry tears. Or embarrassed ones. “My brothers are jerks, but what else is new?”

  Macie’s laughter tinkled, and she slipped an arm about Evie’s waist. “Come on. Let’s get this dinner over with. We need to hang out together while you’re here—just us. We need to catch up on everything.”

  Evie released a breath, surprisingly feeling better already. Macie was like that. Made people feel comfortable. Evie would focus on spending time with Macie later, and not her annoying brothers and the fact that Carson had been witness to her losing her composure.

  She and Macie went into the house, and Ruby catapulted herself at her mom. After a flurry of hugs and kisses, Ruby settled on her grandpa’s lap as he continued talking to Mr. Hunt about the arena, and plans for a renovation.

  Evie only listened with half an ear as she finished the salad preparations. Her mom and Macie set the table, then Macie pulled out the baked chicken breasts from the oven. Evie began filling glasses with ice water, if only to distract herself from the fact that Carson had just entered the house with her brothers.

  The murmur of male voices floated in from the front room, and Evie found herself going hot all over again. Because she still felt embarrassed, and not for any other reason. Not because when she was confronting her brothers, she’d noticed how good Carson looked in a cowboy hat. And not because she’d appreciated his clean shower scent, and the way his long-sleeved shirt was rolled up to his elbows, showing that although he was a grad student, he obviously spent plenty of time outdoors as well. His sculpted forearms also spoke of an athletic past that wasn’t so far back in his history.

  Now, his voice rose above the others in the front room as he answered a question, apparently about how he’d spent the day. Gardening?

  Interesting.

  “Looks like everything’s ready,” her mom said, clapping her hands together. “Evie, will you call the men to the table?”

  “Sure,” Evie said, although she was reluctant. Pasting a smile on her face, she entered the front room. Her gaze zeroed on her dad and little Ruby. “Dinner’s ready, everyone.”

  Then she turned without making eye contact with anyone else. Moments later, everyone was seated at the table, and Evie had purposely sat next to Ruby, who was perched on her booster chair. She’d be the perfect distraction.

  After her father said grace, Evie used the salad tongs to set a portion on Ruby’s plate, then hers.

  “I don’t like salad,” Ruby proclaimed.

  “Not even cucumbers?” Evie said as she reached for the dressing to drizzle over her own salad. She knew that the dressing would be homemade and delicious. Her mom was the type of cook that made almost everything from scratch. She oversaw all food preparations, keeping the men out of the kitchen until it was time to clean up. Then the dishes were all theirs.

  “They’re green,” Ruby said, as if that was the biggest fault ever.

  “They sure are,” Evie said, hiding a smile. The other adults were talking about adult stuff, and Evie was perfectly content to chat with a four-year-old. “Do you know what else is green?”

  Ruby’s eyes rounded. “What?”

  “Grapes.”

  “I like grapes.”

  Evie smiled. “Me, too. And guess what? Apples are green.”

  “Sometimes.”

  “Yep, sometimes. And pears are green.”

  Ruby looked down at her salad, biting her lip.

  “How about you dip the cucumber into the dressing? Then see if you like it.” Evie poured a small circle of dressing on the side of Ruby’s plate.

  Ruby picked up her fork, stabbed a cucumber slice, then dipped it into the dressing. She took a tiny bit and chewed.

  “Do you like it?” Evie pressed.

  Ruby looked like she didn’t quite know, then she smiled. “I love it.”

  “Yay,” Evie said.

  “You’re a miracle worker,” said Macie, who sat on the other side of Ruby. “I don’t think she’s ever eaten salad without threats before.”

  Evie smiled as Ruby took another bite, then another.

  “It’s the dressing,” Evie said. “I don’t like salad without Mom’s dressing either.”

  She glanced up then and found Carson’s gaze on her. His eyes were warm, amused, and Evie tamped down the flash of heat threatening to build. He’d taken off his hat, and his hair was mussed. Adorably.

  Evie dug into her own salad. If there was one thing she missed about Prosper, it was her mom’s home cooking. Her sister, Cara, had been the one in the family to inherit the talent, although she’d taken it to the extreme. Evie could fix the basics, but hadn’t ever really been in charge of a whole dinner. There just wasn’t a need for it in college dorm living.

  “Can you play dolls with me after dinner?” Ruby asked.

  “We have to get home tonight,” Macie cut in. “But maybe Evie can spend time with you tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow works for me,” Evie said, smiling at Ruby so she wouldn’t get her feelings hurt.

  Ruby turned to her mom with a smile. “Can Evie sleep
over? We can share my princess bed.”

  “I don’t think so, sweetie,” Macie said. “I think she’ll want her own bed tonight.”

  The mother and daughter pair continued to talk about why Evie wouldn’t be sleeping over, and she truthfully was waiting for the dinner hour to be over. So that Carson and his grandad would leave, and she could have some peace of mind.

  Spending all morning with Carson, and now seeing him interact with her family, had taught her that he was the kind of guy who fit in perfectly in a small town like Prosper. He was personable, helpful to his grandad, interested in what others had to say, full of knowledge of his own, and well . . . insanely good-looking. Which probably meant that with one night on the town—i.e. an appearance at Racoons—all the single women would flock to him.

  And Evie wouldn’t blame them. Carson Hunt was a catch, the real deal, and there must be some wealth in his family if his grandad was buying up arenas left and right.

  “Tell us about how you met,” Evie’s mother said.

  Wow. This had already been gone over. More than once. But now her mom was looking from Carson to Evie as if she expected some juicy story of meeting each other and falling in love at first sight.

  Carson’s gaze was on her again, those brown eyes amused, and thinking who knew what.

  “At school, Mom,” Evie said, passing along the bowl of fresh rolls. “I told you that.”

  “I know, dear,” her mom said. “But how? Are you in a class together?”

  Evie refrained from rolling her eyes. “Mom, I’m in the final classes of my graphics art major, and Carson is a graduate student. What do you think?”

  “Evelyn,” her father said.

  Great. Now her dad was chastising her in front of company. Was it just her, or was she being treated like a little kid in her own home?

  “If you answer the question, then Mom will stop asking so many,” Lane said, his voice about a half-step away from laughter.

  Evie glared at Lane. Who cared if Carson Hunt witnessed a little sibling strife? It wasn’t like she was trying to impress him or anything. Besides, her brother of all people knew her mom would never stop with the questions.