Page 83 of Cowboy's Healing Heart

Ashanti pulls back, her tear-filled eyes meeting mine. "I heard her on the phone. She was talking about finding a new job somewhere far away. She thinks... she thinks we don't belong here."

Krystal wants to leave? After everything we've been through? I take a deep breath, trying to process this information while comforting the distraught child in my arms.

"Ashanti, listen to me," I say gently, wiping away her tears with my thumb. "This isn't your fault, okay? Your mom... she's just trying to do what's best for you."

"But I don't want to leave!" Ashanti cries, burying her face in my shirt. "I like it here. I like being with you. Why can't we all just stay together?"

Her words pierce my heart. I hold her tighter, realizing with startling clarity how much I've come to love this little girl. The thought of losing her and Krystal is unbearable.

"I don't want you to leave either," I admit softly. "You and your mom... you mean everything to me."

Ashanti looks up at me, hope shining in her eyes. "Really? You want us to stay?"

I nod, a lump forming in my throat. "More than anything. You two are my family now."

She throws her arms around my neck, hugging me fiercely. "Then make Mom stay! Please, Mr. Shane. I don't want to go."

I hold her close, my mind racing. How did I let things get to this point? I've been so caught up in trying to balance my family's expectations with my own desires that I've neglected the two people who matter most.

"Ashanti," I say, pulling back to look her in the eye. "I promise you, I'm going to fix this. We're going to be a family, okay? You, me, and your mom."

She nods, sniffling. "You promise?"

"I promise," I say, sealing it with a kiss on her forehead. "Now, I need you to do something for me. Can you keep this a secret from your mom for now? I want to surprise her."

Ashanti's eyes widen. "A surprise? What kind of surprise?"

I smile, an idea forming in my mind. "A big one. But it won't work if she knows I know about her plans. Can you keep our secret?"

She nods solemnly, a small smile breaking through her tears. "I can keep a secret. I'm good at secrets."

"I know you are, sweetheart," I say, giving her one last hug. "Now, why don't you go get ready for bed? I'll be up to tuck you in soon."

Ashanti slides off my lap, wiping the last of her tears away. "Okay. Goodnight, Mr. Shane. I love you."

The words catch me off guard, filling me with a warmth I've never experienced before. "I love you too, Ashanti. Sweet dreams."

As she leaves the office, I slump back on the couch with everything crashing down on me. Krystal wants to leave. She's planning to take Ashanti and disappear, probably thinking it's for the best.

I can't let that happen. I won't.

I stand up and move back to my desk. The laptop screen still shows the Montana ranches, but suddenly, everything becomes clear.

I pick up my phone, dialing a familiar number. It rings twice before a gruff voice answers.

"Everett? It's Shane. Remember that project you mentioned in Silver Ridge? I think I'm ready to hear more about it."

EIGHTEEN

MIDNIGHT ESCAPE

KRYSTAL

"If you walk outthat door, you're no longer my son. Do you understand? You'll be cut off. No more money, no more connections. Nothing."

I stand frozen in the hallway, my heart pounding as Mr. Kennedy issues his demands.

Shane's voice carries through the partially open door of the sitting room. He's defending me to his parents, his words passionate and fierce. But I can't let Shane do this.

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