Shane nodded. “I am the apple of her eye.”
“Of course.” Brandee thanked Heidi as the waitress set a plate down on the counter. With the arrival of her breakfast, Brandee had intended to let her side of the conversation lapse, but something prompted her to ask, “She didn’t remarry?”
Never in a million years would Brandee admit it, but Shane’s story about his mother was interesting. Shane’s father had died over a decade earlier, but Elyse Delgado had accompanied her son to several events at the TCC clubhouse since Brandee had bought Hope Springs Ranch. Her contentious relationship with Shane caused Brandee to avoid him in social situations and she’d never actually spoken to his mother except to say hello in passing. Yet, Brandee knew Elyse Delgado by reputation and thought she would’ve enjoyed getting to know the woman better if not for her son.
“There’ve been a couple men she’s dated, but nothing serious has come out of it. Although she was completely devoted to my father, I think she’s enjoyed her independence.”
“I get that,” Brandee murmured. “I like the freedom to run my ranch the way I want and not having to worry about taking anyone’s opinions into account.”
“You make it sound as if you never plan to get married.” Shane sounded surprised and looked a little dismayed. “That would certainly be a shame.”
Brandee’s hackles rose. He probably hadn’t intended to strike a nerve, but in the male-dominated world of Texas cattle ranching, she’d faced down a lot of chauvinism.
“I don’t need a man to help me or complete me.”
At her hot tone, Shane threw up his hands. “That’s not what I meant.”
“No?” She snorted. “Tell me you don’t look at me and wonder how I handle Hope Springs Ranch without a man around.” She saw confirmation in his body language before he opened his mouth to argue. “Thanks to my dad, I know more about what it takes to run a successful ranch than half the men around here.”
“I don’t doubt that.”
“But you still think I need someone.”
“Yes.” Shane’s lips curved in a sexy grin. “If only to kiss you senseless and take the edge off that temper of yours.”
* * *
The second Brandee’s eyes cooled, Shane knew he should’ve kept his opinion to himself. They’d been having a perfectly nice conversation and he’d had to go and ruin it. But all her talk of not needing a man around had gotten under his skin. He wasn’t sure why.
“I have neither a temper nor an edge.” Brandee’s conversational tone wasn’t fooling Shane. “Ask anyone in town and they’ll tell you I’m determined, but polite.”
“Except when I’m around.”
Her expression relaxed. “You do bring out the worst in me.”
And for some reason she brought out the worst in him. “I’d like to change that.” But first he had to learn to hold his tongue around her.
“Why?”
“Because you interest me.”
“As someone who sees through your glib ways?”
“I’ll admit you’ve presented a challenge.” Too many things in his life came easily. He didn’t have to exert himself chasing the unachievable. But in Brandee’s case, he thought the prize might be worth the extra effort.
“I’ve begun to wonder if convincing me to sell Hope Springs had become a game to you.”
“I can’t deny that I’d like your land to expand my development, but that’s not the only reason I’m interested in you.”
“Is it because I won’t sleep with you?”
He pretended to be surprised. “That never even occurred to me. I’m still in the early stages of wooing you.”
“Wooing?” Her lips twitched as if she were fighting a smile. “You do have a way with words, Shane Delgado.”
“Several times you’ve accused me of having a silver tongue. I might have a knack for smooth talking, but that doesn’t mean I’m insincere.”
Brandee pushed her unfinished breakfast away and gave him her full attention. “Let me get this straight. You want us to date?” She laughed before he could answer.