“Not sure you want me to do that.”
“Actually, I do. Lay it on me. Tell me all the reasons I’m a piece of shit for going behind your back and falling for your sister.”
“I’m pissed, Langston. I fucking trusted you. Not just with her, but with my goddamn livelihood. I thought you were the kind of guy I’d never have to second-guess, and now…” He lifts a hand and lets it drop. “Now, I don’t know what to think.”
“I didn’t marry her for the ranch. And the fact that Kaden would even suggest it feels like a knife to the back. I’ve shed more blood, sweat, and tears for this place than any of us, man. This place has been my home for half my life, but I was happy to support you and your brother just like I did Hank.” I swallow hard, that burning pressure that settled in last night still smoldering. “I was bitter at first, mostly because it felt like I’d let Hank down. And then I saw how you looked at this place, and I was grateful. I didn’t lost the Magnolia Blue to just anyone… I lost it to someone who, in due time, will love it as much as I do.”
Holden leans forward with his elbows on his knees. “I want to to believe you, but, fuck, man. You sat across the table from me in Vegas and acted like nothing happened. And I know you were in Boulder last weekend, too.”
“I brought her the annulment papers.”
“Right. But you stuck around for two days. A buddy Cole saw you together in the cafe.”
“What do you want me to say? She’s my wife. I enjoy spending time with her.”
He snorts. “Yeah, I don’t need to hear about that.”
I lift a hand.
“But Cole saw more than just the two of you together. He heard what you told that asshole who’s been harassing her, too.”
The back of my neck burns just thinking about that prick. “She’s getting a restraining order tomorrow.”
“Good. Because I have a feeling things are gonna get worse before they get better.”
“All things considered, I’ve already decided to I’m gonna go back with her. I don’t trust Spencer or her manager, and she shouldn’t have to go through something like this alone anyway.”
Holden dips his chin. “Agreed. I was going to ask one of my cousins to stay with her since she’s too bullheaded to stay with them or our parents, but you’ll work.”
I snort. “I’ll more than work.”
He narrows his eyes.
Too soon for sarcasm apparently.
“Look, what happens here at the ranch isn’t my call alone anymore. Obviously, Kaden is pissed and rightfully so. I was going to suggest you take some time off to give him a chance to simmer down, so going to Boulder is probably a good idea.”
The fact that he’s not going to outright fire me is a relief. But given how irate Kaden had been last night, I won’t hold my breath.
The front door opens and Tessa’s perfume greets us before she does. “Hey,” she says quietly, coming up behind me and resting her hand on my shoulder. I can’t see her face, but from the tension and simultaneous affection in Holden’s, they’re having a stare-off.
“Give me a few minutes with my sister?” the oldest McMurray asks, clearing his throat.
“Sure.” I brush a quick kiss across Tessa’s temple after I get to my feet. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
And regardless of what happens, that’s all that matters.
* * *
TESSA
I’m not sure what happened since I saw him last, but there’s something different about Holden. An openness in his eyes and a quiet resignation in the set of his shoulders that makes him look even more like our father.
“You didn’t kill him,” I say softly, twisting my hands together in the sleeves of my sweatshirt. “Thank you for that.”
He snorts. “I’ve got a world championship to win this year. I can’t afford jail time.”
