Winning Over The Cowboy. Shannon Taylor Vannatter

is my new business partner.”

      “Ohhhh, so this is her.” Wallace scrutinized her. “Looks harmless enough. Not like some scammer or con artist.”

      Landry’s face went scarlet. “You never know. Sometimes those types of folks look pretty ordinary.”

      Wallace guffawed. “I like this one. She’s got spunk.” He shoved his hands in his overalls pockets, rocked back on his heels. “I better be getting home to the missus. Nice meetin’ ya, Miss Landry.” Wallace shuffled off.

      “So, I guess you complained about me to everybody in town before I got here.”

      “Not everybody. Just one somebody who apparently has loose lips.”

      “I’m not a scammer.” Something in her eyes tugged at him.

      “I sincerely hope not.”

      “I never imagined Eden would leave me her share of the dude ranch. I never thought she’d—die.” She looked down at the table. “Yes, I loved my years here, and I love the dude ranch. Yes, living here planted my dream of owning my own someday. But my own.” Her gaze latched on to his. “Not yours.”

      The waitress brought their food. Despite the swirling tension, he prayed over their meal, and they fell into silence. Their conversation not bothering their appetites at all.

      He wanted to believe her. To trust her. But his family legacy was at stake.

      Yet the thing in her eyes that tugged at him—it was hurt.