Heat surged through him before she snapped her gaze back up to his, her cheeks flushing just a little.
That one moment made the days apart hurt a lot less. She hadn’t forgotten their connection.
“I didn’t want to spoil the surprise.” His hands ached to wrap around her waist and pull her to him, but he needed to proceed with caution. “Should we go track down your tenant?”
He tipped his head in the direction of his truck in her driveway, the insects singing in the trees as the sun sank lower on the horizon.
“That would be great.” She shadowed him as he led the way to the vehicle, holding the door for her to step up the running board. “If you want to make a loop around the property, I’ll give him the papers when we find him.”
“Sure thing. I saw his truck on the far western edge when I drove over here.” He closed her door behind her and then rounded the front to climb in the driver’s seat.
After starting the engine and pulling out onto the dirt access road around the rangelands, Drake’s thoughts returned to his concern about buying Crooked Elm out from under her. He really didn’t want to displace her or upset her.
And, what’s more, a part of him liked the idea of her staying in town. Would they see each other more if she remained right next door?
She nodded. “I’m just eager to deliver the news and start the process of him leaving so we can figure out what’s next for Crooked Elm.”
He remained in low gear, mindful of his vehicle on a road traversed more frequently by tractors. He wished he could throttle his thoughts the same way he kept a rein on the engine, but he found himself asking more about the Barclay sisters’ inherited spread.
“Would you consider keeping your grandmother’s house and selling off just the lands?” The idea seemed perfect for both of them. So perfect that he couldn’t stop himself from pressing the point a bit more. “That way, you could maintain your connection to the part of the property that means the most to you, but you’d still have some income from selling the lands you don’t use.”
When she remained quiet for a moment, he glanced her way to see her lips pursed as she seemed to mull it over.
“I hadn’t thought of something like that. The house seems such a part of the land, it never occurred to me to split them up.” Her attention moved to the green grazing pasture off to their left, empty of cattle.
“So you like the idea?” Hope sparked. If she agreed to the plan, he could improve the lands without running her off. She could stay here and grow her business.
They would have the time to explore their attraction.
“I can’t say for certain,” she admitted, trailing a finger along the leather of the interior door. “And I would need both Lark and Jessamyn to agree, no matter what we do.”
“Of course.” He recalled as much, but for the first time, he saw a viable solution. A way for them both to be happy.
His conversations with his sisters had suggested they’d be open to a sale, so he couldn’t imagine them objecting now.
“There’s Josiah Cranston,” she announced suddenly, shaking him from his musing. “You can pull over up there.”
She pointed to a wide spot in the access road, close to a pasture gate.
Drake spotted the old-timer’s vehicle in the distance, prepared for resistance from the unethical rancher who hadn’t honored his agreement with Antonia Barclay.
“I’ll drive you closer,” he pressed, seeing an overgrown road alongside the field. His tires crunched through the undergrowth, the tall weeds brushing the undercarriage.
Beside him, Fleur reached in the back pocket of her cutoffs to withdraw a packet of folded papers.
The lease termination.
She already had her fingers in the door handle when he braked to a halt. “I’ll just be a minute.”
“I’m going with you.” He shut off the engine and reached for the door.
“No, thank you.” Her voice was sharp despite the polite words. “I’d like to handle my own business.”
“And what if he’s upset?” He shook his head, his gaze going to Cranston, where the guy seemed to be finishing up a phone call and tucking the device in his shirt pocket. “He already cheated Antonia with the irrigation—”
Fleur’s hand landed on his arm. Firm. Certain.
“I’ll handle him. It’s my family’s land, and it’s my responsibility now.” Her eyes locked on him. Determined.