Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Stunned, Nigel listened as Miranda defended her former stepdaughter. Nothing about that should have surprised him, though. Miranda was always the peacemaker, the one who would jump in to help anyone with no questions asked. She had a natural need to see those around her happy...even, apparently, those who were set on destroying her.

“I’m not sure why you’d want to help her out,” Nigel said.

“Honestly, I’m helping you both,” Miranda replied. “You know how gossip spreads. I learned that you took Sophie to England to Ellen’s wedding. That tells me you really like her. I’ve never heard of you wanting to take someone home, let alone for a family wedding.”

“It was a front to keep my grandmother off my back about settling down,” he mumbled.

“That may be part of it,” she agreed. “But don’t discount your feelings. You don’t have to tell me what they are. Just be honest with yourself. Enough lies were told and I wanted you to know the type of person Sophie really is. Her father wasn’t the easiest man to love and he wasn’t always the best to his kids, but he’s trying to right a wrong from the grave and unfortunately, he’s using me to do it—setting up enough of a mystery that the kids see me as an enemy.”

Nigel had no clue what was all going on with that mess. But he knew Miranda’s kind heart just wanted to make peace. He also knew she wouldn’t have called if she didn’t believe Sophie was a good person.

“You can do what you want, but I just had to share my thoughts,” Miranda added. “And, if you were wondering, Sophie is going to be working on the Texas Cattleman’s Clubhouse renovations. She’s doing so free of charge and paying for the decor she uses. That information isn’t public knowledge because she didn’t want people to know. I believe that speaks to the type of woman she is.”

Miranda said her goodbyes, leaving Nigel even more confused with his thoughts and his jumbled emotions. He had no clue what to do right now, and for the first time in his life, he felt utterly out of control.

All he knew was that he wanted this ache to cease. How the hell did he get over the one woman he wanted, but shouldn’t?

* * *

Lulu smiled across the table at Kace.

“So, what do you say?” she asked, barely able to contain her excitement.

She’d asked Kace to lunch...not a date. This couldn’t be a date. It just couldn’t.

But the sexy cowboy attorney from Texas might just be the best add-in to Secret Lives if he’d simply agree to make a few guest appearances. When the show had filmed in Royal, the viewers had positively eaten up all the Southern charm those men had.

Of course there had only been one man who charmed Lulu enough to capture her attention and he sat right across from her still battling himself with the answer.

“Did you ask Nigel or the other women about this?” he finally asked.

Lulu picked up her water glass and took a drink. “I wanted to see what you said first. As for the other ladies, they’ll totally be on board.”

Who wouldn’t? The man was a walking fantasy in a Stetson and shiny boots.

“Is this for the show’s ratings or because you can’t stand to be without me?” he asked with a smirk.

“The ratings, though I’m not sure we have it in the budget to pay you and your ego.”

Kace eased back in his chair and propped one large strong-looking hand onto the table. Lulu couldn’t ignore the desires just the sight of his hand pulled from her.

So what if her intentions to get him on the show were because she wanted him around her more? She was human with basic needs. Maybe they’d been at each other’s throats at one time, but sex changed everything.

“Just say you’ll do it and leave the rest up to me,” she urged. “Unless you hate the city life.”

He let out a low sexy laugh. “New York isn’t exactly my speed, but it’s doable every now and then.”

Lulu barely resisted the urge to leap over the table, straddle his lap and hug him. “Does that mean you’ll do it?”

His kissable lips twitched. “If you can line up everything and get all the working parties to agree, I’ll do it.”

Lulu let out a slight squeal and clapped her hands together. “Perfect. You won’t regret this.”

Kace leaned across the table, taking her hands in his as he lowered his voice. “Make no mistake. You’ll owe me.”

And that sounded like the most delicious promise ever.