She needs to do more than try, but I can’t demand that of her, or it’d make me just as bad as Spencer. And who the hell am I to tell her what to do anyway? I may be her husband—according to the state of Nevada—but we barely know each other.
“You shouldn’t have to deal with that shit,” Holden says. “If there’s anything I can do—”
“There isn’t.” Taking a deep breath, she pulls her shoulders back, the strong, determined woman I’ve come to know reappearing. “I’ll deal with it. I promise.”
Good. And if she doesn’t, I will.
I may not be able to offer her much, but I can make damn sure Spencer never looks at her again.
As her husband, however temporary, it’s the least I can do.
chapter 7
TWO WEEKS LATER…
DEAN
“You think you can hold down the fort while I run a few errands in town?” Kaden calls over the paddock fence just before lunch. It’s Friday, which means his so-called errands probably entail meeting Carly for lunch and more or less screwing off for the rest of the day.
“I’ve been holding down the fort since long before you came around, McMurray. Just because you own half the place now doesn’t mean you gotta start acting like you’re King Shit.” I pat Smoke’s neck and let him trot over to Holden’s horse, Ares.
“Nah, we all know Smoke is the one who’s really in charge around here.” Kaden leans his elbows on the fence, and we watch the animals greet each other with a few playful nudges. “He’s taken well to Ares, too.”
He sure has. Then again, Smoke is older now and not quite as ornery as when he was the big man on the ranch. He’s still a beast, but being around Ares has brought him down a few notches, and it’s been good for both of them. They’re companions now rather than competitors.
“Anyway, I’ll be back in time to check in with Ron and the crew before they leave for the night.” He tips his head toward the house near the tree line at the far end of the pasture. With Carly being pregnant and due in the middle of the winter, they put a rush on the development of their new home.
“All right, man. Enjoy your lunch date.” I smirk.
He has the audacity to look surprised, like we don’t both know that’s where he’s headed. And honestly, I don’t care. He gets his work done, and the more he stays out of my hair, the better we get along. Not that I have issues with him or with Holden; I’m still just acclimating to not being the one solely in charge.
As he heads to his truck, I make my way to the paddock gate, intent on checking in on Ben and Cooper in the cattle barn, when my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Hey husband. Miss me?
Damn woman. Of course I miss her. Miss her smart mouth. Her sassy smiles. The way her body felt against mine while we’d slept in Vegas…
Why the hell would I miss your pain in the ass?I text back.
Aww. You’re so nice to me. Now I remember why I thought it was a good idea to tie you down.
I laugh as I slowly make my way to the barn.I’m the perfect package, sweetness. You sure you still want that annulment?
That’s why I’m texting. Any progress?
Not much. I’m still waiting to hear back from my lawyer friend about the paperwork.It’s probably sitting in my email inbox, which I haven’t logged into in a few days.Did you talk to your manager yet?
We have a meeting next week.
Tessa…
With Bella on her honeymoon, we’re short-staffed. There hasn’t been time.
Right. Or maybe she’s putting it off because her manager and Spencer are close. I poked around when I got back to Montana, and I can see why she’s struggled to speak up and report the asshole. But that’s the point of employment policies.
I hit her contact and the video chat option, and she answers after a single ring.
“Please don’t lecture me.” Cubicles and a few random people appear behind her as she moves through the marketing office before entering a smaller room and quietly closing the door. “I really have been trying to find time to talk to Jeff. I finally just scheduled a meeting with him.”
