Page 54 of A Rancher's Bride

“Kelli just headed out to an invite with the grande dame from Trafalgar stables.” Luke grinned as he spoke. “Kelli’s charming the birds out of the trees, Walker. So damn cool to watch her.”

His brother didn’t answer for a moment, and when he did he sounded amused. “I take it you’re happy you asked her along?”

Shit. Had he misjudged the situation? “Yeah, she’s doing wonders, but I’m sorry. I should’ve asked if you wanted to come.”

“Oh, hell no. I wasn’t giving you grief for leaving me out. I’mgladyou didn’t thrust me into the limelight again. I’ve done my share of that. I was just wondering how things were going between you and Kelli.”

It was on the tip of Luke’s tongue to confess everything, but that was a potential disaster since he still didn’t really know what was going on, or what would be happening when he got home.

Whentheygot home.

Yeah, the fact he and Kelli had hit the sheets wasn’t something to toss out in a phone call. He’d prefer to be home to deal with any problems in person.Ifthere were problems.

There might not be, if their fling was over.

I’m not ready for it to be over…

Lord, he didn’t know what was going on. Keeping his mouth shut was the smartest idea.

“We’re great. Having a blast.” He thought that through a little harder and hurried to add, “Actually, we’re slaving night and day. You know, it’s been totally exhausting. I might need to have a bit of a holiday when I get home.”

Walker chuckled. “Ass.”

“Bro. You should’ve seen the size of the steak I was forced to eat last night.”

“Because Silver Stone’s honour depended on it?”

“Pretty much.” His phone buzzed. “Got another call. Chat later.”

“Break a leg.”

Luke switched lines, eyes widening as he spotted the name on the call display. Arabian Treasures. That was Timothy Carlyn’s spread.

The man got straight to the point. “You have time for a coffee?”

“Of course. Where would you like to meet?”

Timothy gave him directions. Luke hung up with the sense of fairytale magic stealing over him. For scoring them an invitation to this event, Bertram was not getting a bottle of the good stuff, he was getting a case.

Luke double-checked in the mirror before heading to his meeting, hurrying to the main floor and keeping an eye out for Kelli. Not that she needed checking up on, but it would give him a kick to see her hobnobbing with Mrs. Petrie again.

Timothy Carlyn rose to his feet and shook Luke’s hand, but his gaze drifted. “I hoped Kelli would be with you.”

Something a little dark and dangerous slid into his gut before Luke could choke it off. “She’s with the ladies. Is that a problem?”

Carlyn gestured to the edge of the room. Comfortable overstuffed leather seats were arranged on either side of a low table that held a coffee pot and a tray of goodies. “Not at all. I just wanted you to know she’s always welcome. I don’t believe in keeping women shuttered off when we talk business.”

As an excuse, his explanation made some sense, but it was also strange considering they weren’t really here to talk business. Unless they were—

Luke gave up trying to second-guess.

Carlyn was the ultimate professional, bringing the conversation around to a discussion of recent Silver Stone bloodlines that were showing great strength. Luke fell into data and breeding plans, and things were going smoothly until Carlyn turned the topic.

Back on Kelli.

“So it’s just a recent thing, your engagement?”

Luke’s spine stiffened. “Very.”