The Rancher Returns by Brenda Jackson

to find James’s stash. She hadn’t lied to Ms. Melody. Layla had used this morning to review several documents. It was important to make sure she hadn’t missed anything in her research.
    Layla checked her watch. Gavin would be arriving in an hour. That wasn’t a lot of time to prepare to see him again. But then she doubted she would ever be prepared for the likes of Gavin Blake.
    * * *
    â€œSo what have you decided about the dig, Gavin?”
    Gavin glanced up from his breakfast plate and met his grandmother’s eyes. He’d been in bed when she’d returned last night, but there was no getting out of the conversation this morning. One thing was for certain, he would not tell her about the deal he’d struck with Layla.
    â€œLayla is showing me the site this morning. I want to check it out for myself before I make a decision.” He then resumed eating, hoping to end the conversation.
    â€œSo when are you leaving for Mississippi?”
    He looked up at his grandmother again with a raised brow. “Who said anything about me going to Mississippi?”
    She lifted her own brow. “Yesterday you mentioned you had important business to take care of there.”
    Now he recalled mentioning it. “I changed my mind and won’t be leaving after all.” He resumed eating again, knowing his grandmother was eyeing him suspiciously.
    â€œWhy?”
    He lifted his head again. “Why, what?”
    â€œWhy are you hanging around here?”
    He held her inquisitive gaze. “Do you have a problem with me hanging around here, Gramma Mel?”
    â€œNot as long as you don’t have some shenanigans brewing in that head of yours, Gavin.”
    If only you knew , he thought. He pushed his plate away. “Breakfast was good as usual. I’m surprised you didn’t invite Layla to join us.”
    â€œI did. But she made an excuse for not coming. I wonder why.”
    He stood. His grandmother was fishing for information and he was determined not to get caught. “I have a call with Phil to go over the books. I’ll be in my office for an hour or so.”
    â€œAlright. And you may have changed your mind about going to Mississippi, but I’m still scheduled to go to that library conference in Cincinnati. It lasts a week, and I booked it before I knew you were coming home.”
    Gavin knew his grandmother enjoyed going to those conferences. “You should go,” he encouraged.
    She looked at him as if he wasn’t trustworthy...of all things. “Is anything wrong?” he asked her.
    â€œYou tell me, Gavin. You’re not fooling me one bit. I know that look. You’re up to something and whatever it is, I hope you don’t get caught in your own trap.”
    â€œWhat trap?”
    â€œI’ll let you figure that one out. But keep something in mind.”
    He lifted a brow. “What?”
    â€œLayla is not Jamie.”
    He frowned deeply. “What is that supposed to mean?”
    â€œIt means I think something good could develop between the two of you, if you let it. But you won’t. You’re afraid she will be like Jamie. Whether you choose to believe me or not, your mom loved you and your dad. I would sit and hear her crying for him at night when he was gone.”
    â€œThen why did she leave?”
    â€œLoneliness drove her away, Gavin. The Silver Spurs isn’t meant for everyone and she was miserable here. Not everyone can handle the isolation.”
    â€œBut that was no reason for her to desert me and Dad.”
    Without saying anything else he turned and walked out of the kitchen toward his office.
    * * *
    A lump formed in Layla’s throat when she heard the knock at the door. She didn’t have to look out of the peephole to see who it was. Gavin had said he would arrive at ten and it was ten on the dot. She glanced down at herself and then wished she hadn’t. Why should she care what he thought about