Hitched to the Horseman by Stella Bagwell

Author:Stella Bagwell
Language: nld
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Silhouette Books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

T he next evening in Geraldine’s bedroom, Mercedes stared at her mother in dismay. “Mother, you are kidding, aren’t you?”

Geraldine didn’t pause a beat as she placed a folded blouse in the suitcase lying open on the bed. Early in the morning, she was driving up to San Antonio to meet her beau, and from there the couple were driving to West Texas for a week. Mercedes had been aware of her mother’s plans for days now. But she’d not been aware that Geraldine had also been making plans for Mercedes to accompany Gabe on a horse-auction trip that weekend.

“Mercedes, the Western Heritage Auction is not anything to kid about. It’s not like going to the county sale barn where a few grade horses are run in the ring behind the cattle and the hogs. There will be buyers dressed in designer suits and handmade boots, horses that will sell for six figures. It’s an important auction for buyers and sellers across the Southwest and beyond. You need to be there to get a sense of the sort of marketing ideas the Sandbur needs to focus on. And as a member of the Sandbur family, you should also be there to help Gabe represent our horses. It’s that simple.”

It was all Mercedes could do to keep from telling her mother in no uncertain terms that Gabe didn’t want or need her help. But that would only arouse Geraldine’s suspicions. Besides that, only three weeks had passed since Mercedes had agreed to take on the marketing job for the ranch. To start whining about her responsibilities now would make her look worse than difficult and ungrateful.

“I see,” Mercedes said in a low, thoughtful voice. “I didn’t realize the Western Heritage Auction was such a big deal.”

“Very big,” Geraldine replied matter-of-factly. She straightened from her bent position over the suitcase and leveled a direct gaze on her daughter. “Are you having a problem with this plan, Mercedes?”

Problem? Gabe had been so upset with her that he’d ordered her out of his house. And this morning, when she’d entered her office, she’d found the photos on her desk. He’d obviously placed them there early, so he wouldn’t have to face her. Yeah, there was a huge problem, she thought dismally.

“No. I—um—I’m just—surprised to hear I’ll be making the trip. I figured Lex would be a much better person than me to tag along with Gabe. They get on well together, and he’s got more experience representing the Sandbur.”

Shaking her head, Geraldine walked over to a long oak dresser and picked up a bag full of toiletries. “Lex is a cattleman. And that’s where his expertise is needed most. Anyway, he’s going to Florida this weekend—on business.”

Fighting off a groan, Mercedes stepped to the foot of the bed and wrapped her hands around the carved oak post.

“Yes, I’ve heard about Lex’s little trips to Florida. He says they’re business, but who calls fishing and swimming and lounging around on the beach, business?”

Geraldine created

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