excellent service meant their first course, spicy, cheesy nachos, arrived promptly, and they dug into them. Jared leaned back against the mock leather chair and wiped his mouth with the large paper napkin. He was far more relaxed than on the journey into town. Being in a crowded, happy atmosphere eased the sexual tension that lay between them.
“Glad we came?” Jared looked at her as though her answer mattered to him.
“Yes, it has a lovely, vibrant atmosphere, and if the first course is an indication, the food is delicious,” Jennie enthused, surprised she spoke the truth.
Apparently satisfied with her answer, Jared raised his bottle of beer and toasted her. “ Salut .”
A noisy group of men drinking in the corner drew Jennie’s attention. The majority of them wore work gear, but they didn’t look like cowboys. “They’re having fun.”
A shadow passed over Jared’s face. “They’re oil workers. Probably just landed a big bonus and are well on the way to drinking it.” His voice held a trace of bitterness.
“Drilling for oil round here, it seems unbelievable.” Jennie knew Jared and Ralf were staunch environmentalists. They believed the land was for raising crops and stock and whatever lay underneath was best left there.
“An oil company bought the McGregors’ ranch about two years ago for an inflated price. The geological studies showed massive oil deposits, which could be drilled economically.” Jared spoke with an eloquence that made his beliefs as attractive as his physical attributes. “People forget about the devastating effect on the landscape when they see dollar signs. It’s the beauty and naturalness of this area I love. If the oil companies win, it will turn into an industrial wasteland, and I’m determined that won’t happen on our ranch.”
Jennie was so pleased Jared had said “our ranch” rather than “my ranch.” Maybe he really did accept her right to be there. “Has the Unicorn been approached by any oil prospectors?” Jared’s answer was important to Jennie. She couldn’t figure out why the answer to this question mattered so much, but her intuition told her she needed to know.
Jared shot her a searching look. “Yes, and my father sent them packing. I worried about the Pegasus when Darleen and Ryder’s grandparents decided to retire, but Darleen assures me neither her nor Ryder would allow oil to be drilled on their ranch.”
Dinner arrived, and the conversation lapsed. Feeling more relaxed, they managed to do the fine cooking justice. Too full for dessert, they finished the meal with hot, strong coffee.
Sipping her coffee, Jennie tried to decide if the oil issue was significant. If Darleen and Ryder wanted to exploit the oil under their ranch, if there was any to drill economically, it would give them a motive to cause disruption at the Unicorn. Especially since Jared and his parents were against such a move. There were too many ifs for Jennie to share her concerns with Jared right now, but she would try to investigate further. Maybe she could ask Ryder when she saw him again. She would have to choose her moment carefully. If he was involved, she didn’t want to make him suspicious with her interest.
“Are you about ready to go, Jen? You seem a little preoccupied. Shall I settle the bill?” Jared’s mildly accusatory tone interrupted her musing.
“Sorry, I was thinking about the oil and the ranch. I’m glad you agree with Ralf’s objections.” Jennie shared just enough of the truth about her thoughts to sound convincing. “Yes, pay the bill. I’ll finish my coffee and join you.”
Jared signaled their server, followed her to the cashier’s desk, and paid, whilst Jennie sipped her coffee. A movement at the window registered in her peripheral vision. She turned to get a better look and met Ryder’s cold, soulless eyes staring at her through the glass as he leaned against the hood of the shiny silver truck. She half smiled, but his gaze didn’t
“Glad we came?” Jared looked at her as though her answer mattered to him.
“Yes, it has a lovely, vibrant atmosphere, and if the first course is an indication, the food is delicious,” Jennie enthused, surprised she spoke the truth.
Apparently satisfied with her answer, Jared raised his bottle of beer and toasted her. “ Salut .”
A noisy group of men drinking in the corner drew Jennie’s attention. The majority of them wore work gear, but they didn’t look like cowboys. “They’re having fun.”
A shadow passed over Jared’s face. “They’re oil workers. Probably just landed a big bonus and are well on the way to drinking it.” His voice held a trace of bitterness.
“Drilling for oil round here, it seems unbelievable.” Jennie knew Jared and Ralf were staunch environmentalists. They believed the land was for raising crops and stock and whatever lay underneath was best left there.
“An oil company bought the McGregors’ ranch about two years ago for an inflated price. The geological studies showed massive oil deposits, which could be drilled economically.” Jared spoke with an eloquence that made his beliefs as attractive as his physical attributes. “People forget about the devastating effect on the landscape when they see dollar signs. It’s the beauty and naturalness of this area I love. If the oil companies win, it will turn into an industrial wasteland, and I’m determined that won’t happen on our ranch.”
Jennie was so pleased Jared had said “our ranch” rather than “my ranch.” Maybe he really did accept her right to be there. “Has the Unicorn been approached by any oil prospectors?” Jared’s answer was important to Jennie. She couldn’t figure out why the answer to this question mattered so much, but her intuition told her she needed to know.
Jared shot her a searching look. “Yes, and my father sent them packing. I worried about the Pegasus when Darleen and Ryder’s grandparents decided to retire, but Darleen assures me neither her nor Ryder would allow oil to be drilled on their ranch.”
Dinner arrived, and the conversation lapsed. Feeling more relaxed, they managed to do the fine cooking justice. Too full for dessert, they finished the meal with hot, strong coffee.
Sipping her coffee, Jennie tried to decide if the oil issue was significant. If Darleen and Ryder wanted to exploit the oil under their ranch, if there was any to drill economically, it would give them a motive to cause disruption at the Unicorn. Especially since Jared and his parents were against such a move. There were too many ifs for Jennie to share her concerns with Jared right now, but she would try to investigate further. Maybe she could ask Ryder when she saw him again. She would have to choose her moment carefully. If he was involved, she didn’t want to make him suspicious with her interest.
“Are you about ready to go, Jen? You seem a little preoccupied. Shall I settle the bill?” Jared’s mildly accusatory tone interrupted her musing.
“Sorry, I was thinking about the oil and the ranch. I’m glad you agree with Ralf’s objections.” Jennie shared just enough of the truth about her thoughts to sound convincing. “Yes, pay the bill. I’ll finish my coffee and join you.”
Jared signaled their server, followed her to the cashier’s desk, and paid, whilst Jennie sipped her coffee. A movement at the window registered in her peripheral vision. She turned to get a better look and met Ryder’s cold, soulless eyes staring at her through the glass as he leaned against the hood of the shiny silver truck. She half smiled, but his gaze didn’t
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