I knew better now, and I would never let another man treat me that way ever again.
27
GRAY
“Gray, what a pleasant surprise. Come on in.”
I hesitated inside the doorway, a bead of sweat trickling down my cheek. The coolness of the air conditioning washed over my overheated skin, soothing me. Despite leaving the ranch early to make it to Cockburn Creek to catch Abilene Jo in case she had to go to the courthouse, I was melting under the already sweltering sun.
Abilene Jo, a distant cousin of mine and my lawyer, cocked an eyebrow. “Well, don’t just stand there letting all the cool air out. Do you know how much the electric bill costs this time of year?”
I chuckled, her gentle chiding pulling me out of my trance. Of course I was doing the right thing by visiting her. The door closed behind me with a gentle thud, and I moved farther into the office, removing my Stetson. Abilene Jo’s gaze followed my every move, her eyes sharp as a hawk. The scent of old books and lemon polish immediately put me at ease.
“How’re you doing, girl?” I leaned forward to kiss her leathery, wrinkled cheek twice. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had to see each other in person. Where’s that assistant of yours?”
“Taken, so don’t even turn on the Southern charm.” She brandished her left hand, showing off the gold wedding band with the glittering diamond. “Ver and I tied the knot.” She spun around a charcoal photo frame that displayed a wedding picture of her and her much younger assistant gazing out over the ocean.
I laughed heartily. “Well, damn. Looks like I wasn’t the only one working the Southern charm. Congrats. I’m happy for you and Veronica. Is that why you went on vacation two weeks ago?”
“We went on our honeymoon to Curaçao.”
“Fancy.”
“We deserve it. I never thought I’d get married, but here I am, making a commitment for life.”
Oh shit. I scratched the back of my head. “Yeah, well, that’s wonderful.”
“Sit. Tell me what you’re doing here. Did we have a meeting I forgot about?”
“No, this is different.”
“How so?”
“I’m looking for advice on divorcing Emma.”
“My advice is ‘don’t,’” she said without missing a beat.
“That’s no longer an option. It was foolish of us to remain married, given the circumstances.”
“Not foolish. Wise. If you divorce Emma, you’ll be required to divide your assets. She could claim a stake in the ranch. The last thing you want—”
“No, she won’t want the ranch or anything to do with it.”
“She doesn’t have to keep it, Gray. What if she sells it?”
“She wouldn’t.” Except she would. She hated everything about the ranch. “I’m sure we can come to an amicable settlement agreement. Weren’t we able to do that for years?”
She clicked a pen a couple of times. “Let me ask you, Gray. Was the divorce your idea or hers?”
“Mine, but she agreed.”
“Who wouldn’t when you stand to earn a hefty settlement? There’s no way this isn’t going to cost you big-time.”
I swallowed, then licked my lips. A lot of money and assets were at stake, but I knew that when I married her. What was the sense of being wealthy and unhappy?
“I’ve made up my mind, Abilene. I need to be out of this marriage. We’ve been living apart for years now. Please tell me it won’t take long.”
“Depends on what you think is long. Even though you were living apart, you weren’t legally separated. It’ll take a few months—at least three—and that’s if the settlement is uncontested.”
