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it then.”
    “I thought he was just nervous about the
prospect of being thrust into the limelight.”
    “You know we do background checks on
everyone associated with Titan. Mike said Clint’s story is pretty typical;
small town, hard workin’ family. Nothin’ out of the ordinary.”
    “I’m not saying I think he’s disreputable.
Like I said, he’s a nice enough guy.” She narrowed her eyes as she watched him
tuck a lock of hair behind Brianna’s ear. “I just think he seems kind of uneasy
around the press. And the way he kisses up to you and your brother…”
    Ryan grinned. “Actually, I kinda think
that’s one of his more endearin’ qualities.”
    She rolled her eyes and tried to hide a
smile. “You’re too much.”
    “Yeah, but you love me anyways.”
    “Doesn’t everyone?”
    Not everyone. From where he stood, the person who mattered most was falling in
love with someone else. He couldn’t resist the urge to sneak a peek at them,
but immediately wished he hadn’t.
    “Looks like they’re getting cozy, huh?”
    The last thing Ryan wanted to talk about
was Brianna’s budding relationship with another man. “How’re Nick and Anna?” he
asked, referring to Ty and Avery’s kids.
    She crossed her arms and stared him down,
much like the third grade teacher who used to reprimand him for chewing bubble
gum in class. “Why do I get the feeling you’re trying to change the subject?”
    “I’m askin’ because I care,” he said,
smiling. Avery was shrewd. He wasn’t naïve enough to believe she was buying his
act. “So, how are they?”
    “They’re good. Nick’s busy with the ranch
and Anna’s looking for a teaching position. She’s just supply teaching for now,
until she can find something more permanent.”
    “I’m sure it won’t take her long to find
something. She’s a smart girl.” Ryan winked. “And I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt if
she happened to mention her daddy was Ty McCall.”
    “Don’t even joke about that,” Avery said,
holding her hand up. “She’s determined to find a job on her own. You know how
uncomfortable she is being in the spotlight.”
    “No doubt, it can’t be easy livin’ in Ty’s
shadow.” Ryan knew from experience that famous parents often cast inescapable
shadows.
    “We just want her to be happy.” She smiled.
“She’s so sweet and shy, not at all like Nick.”
    Nick McCall was a few years younger than
Ryan, so they barely crossed paths in high school, but Ryan respected his work
ethic. Ty bought back the land that had been in their family for generations
when Nick agreed to try his hand at making it a successful enterprise again. Ty
was thrilled when his son attacked the challenge as though he was born to do
it.
    “I should give Nick a call, see if he’d
like to get together for a beer.”
    Avery smiled. “I’m sure he’d love that.”
She watched Clint leave the room. “I should catch up with him before he
leaves.” She reached up to give Ryan a kiss on the cheek. “Just for the record,
I know you and your brother are working hard to make your father proud.”
    “Thanks, that means a lot comin’ from you.”
Avery had been with the company since its inception three decades ago and she
remained one of his father’s closest friends. He knew she wasn’t one to blow
smoke. If she didn’t mean it, she wouldn’t say it. “You mind tellin’ the old
man that, so he’ll quit questionin’ every artist we sign.”
    Avery laughed as she patted his arm. “Some
habits die hard, kid. Your dad’s letting go; it’ll just take some time. You
have to remember, this company was his life. It’s not easy to hand over the
reins, not even to your own kids.”
    “You ever think about retirin’?” Ryan hoped
not. She was still the best in the business, and he knew they wouldn’t be able
to find anyone with her skill and connections to assume the role.
    “Are you kidding? I’d go crazy if I
retired. I’ve already told Ty I plan on working