“I should have some of this great Colorado beef I’ve heard about,” Sylvia said, “but it’s too early for a steak.”
“A burger then. Try the Angus.” Annie’s cell phone buzzed against her hip. “Excuse me for a minute, will you? It could be a sick animal.”
“Don’t you get a day off?”
“Not around here.” She flipped her phone open. “This is Annie.”
“Hey, Dr. Annie. You on your way?”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s Chad McCray. You were coming for lunch today? It’s twelve-thirty so I thought I’d see what’s keeping you.”
Damn. She had come home last night, found her mother, and completely forgotten to cancel her lunch date with Chad and her cooking date with Seraphina.
“I’m so sorry, Chad. When I got home last night, my mother was here for a surprise visit, and I’m afraid I forgot about everything else.”
“Bring her along then.”
“We’re sitting in the Blue Bird. She wants to try Colorado beef.”
“You ordered yet?”
“No. Not yet.”
“Then don’t. I’ve got the best Colorado beef right here. I’ll expect you in half an hour.”
“Uh, Chad, I don’t think—”
“No arguments.” His husky voice was a lot like Dallas’s. “I’ll see you soon.”
Annie rolled her eyes. “I forgot about a lunch date I had.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” She sighed. “Well, you wanted Colorado beef. Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?”
“A ranch.”
“Is this the guy you were telling me about?”
“No. Not exactly.”
“What do you mean not exactly.”
“Actually, it’s his brother.”
“Annalisa, what in God’s name have you gotten yourself into?”
“I don’t know, Ma. I surely don’t know.”
The ride to Chad’s was pleasant, and Annie was able to show her mother some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole United States. When they arrived, Annie was pleasantly surprised to see Zach and Dusty were there along with Sean. The more buffers between her and Chad, the better.
After she had introduced her mother to everyone, Dusty pulled her aside.
“What happened to you last night?” she asked. “You didn’t stay for dinner. I was worried about you. So was Chad.”