Page 56 of Smokescreen

TODAY

By the time Olive awakened the next morning, preparations for today’s barbecue were already in full swing.

She showered and came downstairs in time to see Daphne standing by the front door.

The woman scowled as soon as she saw Olive.

Honestly, the woman was off-putting enough that Olive couldn’t see why Reid would have ever fallen for her.

Unless Reid was a lot shallower than Olive had given him credit for.

She didn’t want to believe that. She generally considered herself a good judge of character. She’d learned to listen for lies. To watch for gaslighting. To read people’s body language.

She could thank her dad for that.

Maybe, she realized, she wasn’t the only good actor around here. Maybe she should give Reid more credit—and therefore more scrutiny.

Olive paused at the bottom of the stairway and contemplated her next move.

Just then, Reid stepped out of his office.

He glanced at Olive before turning to Daphne. “It looks like you’re all ready to go. Safe travels.”

Daphne stared at him as if she wanted to beg him to give her another chance.

But to her credit, those words didn’t leave her lips.

Instead, she picked up her suitcase. “Thank you for letting me stay the night.”

Daphne glanced at Olive once more before turning and stepping outside, heading toward her car.

Olive walked to the window and watched as the woman loaded her suitcase and climbed inside.

Reid joined Olive at the window.

“Having her here was unexpected,” he murmured.

She glanced at him, trying to read his expression. “Any regrets breaking up with her?”

“None. Daphne seemed exciting and different at the time we met. Maybe I got more swept up in Hollywood than I thought. But I can now see where it was a mistake.”

“I don’t think Daphne thinks it was a mistake.”

He frowned and rubbed his beard. “I don’t either.”

Olive waited for him to continue, but Reid looked lost in thought. He definitely seemed notably more somber today. Why was that? Was it Daphne’s visit? Or something else?

Finally, Olive cleared her throat. “Why did you even do the reality show? That surprises me about you.”

He let out an airy chuckle. “That’s a fair question. The truth is, running this ranch is expensive, and I’ll do anything to keep it in my family’s name. We had a bad year—beef prices were down, and animal care was up. Some of my ranch hands quit and went to a ranch in Montana. I was trying to think of ways to diversify my income. When the offer came in to do the reality show . . .”

“It seemed like an answer to prayer?” she finished.

“Exactly. And I have to admit that it was kind of fun. I’m not usually one for drama, however, and reality TV is all about drama.”

“Yes, it is.” She stored that new information away before deciding to change the subject. “So . . . today’s the big day. What can I help with?”

He drew his gaze toward her and released a heavy breath. “I’m going to be outside setting up for the barbecue. Of course, you don’t have to help at all.”