In a Cowboy's Arms (Hitting Rocks Cowboys) by Rebecca Winters

Author:Rebecca Winters [Winters, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-04-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Avery had coordinated their grandfather’s birthday party with Jarod and Connor’s help. She’d hired caterers to do the cooking and serving out on the back patio. Jarod couldn’t have been happier when he’d learned she’d included Sadie and the Hensons in the guest list.

Because of Ned, Jarod’s afternoon ride with Sadie had ended abruptly, leaving things hanging. Since then he’d broken it off with Leslie, but due to the long hours of calving season, this would be Jarod’s first opportunity to get Sadie alone and answer the question of Leslie’s importance in his life.

The evening of the party, after a shower and shave, he put on a silky black sport shirt and gray trousers. This was a special occasion. Six weeks ago his grandfather had been in the hospital and Jarod had feared he wouldn’t come out again. But he’d rallied and in some respects seemed better than he had been in several months. Jarod was convinced Sadie’s presence on the Corkin ranch had had a lot to do with the change in him.

Ralph was furious over Daniel’s shameless treatment of her. To help her keep the ranch in her family was a gesture that revealed the depth of his affection for her. Like Jarod, he was in this fight to win. The end of the month couldn’t come soon enough for either of them. After Harlow bought the ranch, they could all breathe more easily again.

Once he was ready, he went downstairs. “You look distinguished in that new gray suit, Grandfather. It matches your eyes.”

Ralph chuckled. “You think?”

“Connor has excellent taste.”

“Come to think of it, you and I match,” he said with a smile.

Just as he spoke, Connor walked into the bedroom wearing a tan suit. “Come on, you two. Everyone has started congregating out on the patio.”

Jarod hoped that meant Sadie had arrived. He needed to tamp down the frantic pounding of his heart. He and his brother both linked arms with their grandfather and walked with him to the back of the house. Before they could see people, Jarod heard voices and smelled steaks cooking on the grill.

As they stepped out onto the patio, everyone clapped and sang “Happy Birthday.” Jarod estimated the whole Bannock clan had showed up with at least twenty other family friends. His grandfather looked pleased with the turnout—sixty-odd people including grandchildren, young and old, sitting at the tables set up for the occasion.

Ralph thanked everyone for coming. “Go ahead and eat because that’s what I intend to do. I’ll bore you with a speech later!” His remarks drew laughter as Jarod and Connor helped him to his place at the head table.

“I’ll get his food,” Jarod said to his brother, who nodded.

He walked around the other side of the smorgasbord to fix his grandfather a plate. A quick glance at the assembled group revealed the Hensons had come, but to his disappointment no Corkins or Lawsons yet. His gaze traveled to Tyson and his wife’s table, which included Grant and Pat. No sign of Ned, either.

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