Page 99 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Tears burned his eyes. He had to do the right thing. He had to think of Magnolia. Oscar was right. She was fanciful and naïve. Magnolia was from a completely different world—a world thatwould be harsh when seen through the eyes of one who’d been born with a silver spoon in her mouth.

On the miracle that Lucas could purchase Arthur Vinson’s ranch, it would be a tough way of life. He’d have to work like crazy to build it up. Magnolia had her own career that paid well. Still, ten million dollars was an astronomical amount of money. Nothing that neither Lucas nor Magnolia could ever earn would come close to that. She would come to resent him. His gut churned. He’d lose her anyway. He couldn’t go through that again. He couldn’t put himself out there and enter into a relationship that was doomed. As excruciating as it was, it was better to end things now … when Magnolia could still get her inheritance. At least she would have a happy life.

Tears burned his eyes as he stood and went to the closet. He pulled out his suitcase and threw it onto the bed. He opened it and began shoving in clothes. The only way he would have the strength to leave was if he did it now, when Magnolia was unaware.

She’d be furious with him for leaving. But one day, she would hopefully understand that he’d done it for her.

So she could have a chance to live the life she deserved.

Chapter Thirteen

Atremble of excitement ran through Magnolia as she hopped out of bed, traipsed over to the window, and looked out at the falling snow. It was soft and fluffy, like the whole world was covered in marshmallow cream. She chuckled at the analogy. Marshmallow cream? Really? She felt as giddy as a kid. It was Christmas! Tomorrow she would get married to Lucas. Her face flushed thinking about those kisses last night in the atrium. His lips had been so insistent, so demanding. She loved his fire, his passion, his bluntness. He was a cowboy to the core. One thing was certain. Life with Lucas Romeo would never be boring.

Her grandfather was so stubborn. No amount of talking to him would do any good, so Magnolia decided to try a different angle. Her only hope was to get through to Eric Stanford. If she could get him on her side, then she might have some sway with Grandfather. Last night at dinner, before everything went haywire, Magnolia had asked Eric Stanford if she could meet with him at nine a.m. this morning. Eric agreed. It was a little after eight a.m. She’d have to hurry and jump in the shower.

She made a face thinking of Roman. It was so awkward having him here. Roman seemed regretful for what he’d done. Maybe in the future the two of them could be friends, butthat’s all they’d ever be. Roman was wasting his time by sticking around. She’d quietly tried to tell him that at dinner in the nicest way she could, but he obviously wasn’t getting the message. Oh, well, Roman was a grown man and could make his own decisions. Magnolia didn’t want to spend any more time dwelling on him. She had much more important things to think about. There was so much to do today. She was meeting with the wedding planner at three p.m. to go over the final details. Prep would start tonight as the decorating crew and catering company began setting up. The wedding was set to take place at six p.m. tomorrow evening. It would be a quaint ceremony with only her immediate family and a few of her grandfather’s closest friends. Before, when she was getting married to Roman out of sheer obligation, Magnolia hadn’t wanted any of her friends in attendance. However, now that the situation had changed, she wished she’d invited Lexi and Lucas’s parents to attend. Maybe she and Lucas could have a wedding reception in Franklin. Yes, that’s what she would suggest! She hurried to the shower so she could make it to the meeting on time.

At five minutes before nine, Magnolia hurried out the door. Lucas’s room was a few doors down from hers. His door was closed. He was probably catching up on his rest. She would meet with Eric and then come back and grab Lucas so they could have breakfast together. She went to her grandfather’s study where she found Eric waiting for her. He was a thick, solid man, built like a linebacker. Eric had handled her grandparent’s estate for as long as she could remember. Her grandparents trusted him implicitly. If she could get Eric on her side, then she might be able to shift the tide.

“Hello,” she began with a warm smile as she stepped up to him and shook his meaty hand. “Thanks so much for meeting with me this morning. I’m sorry to take you away from your family.”

He waved her apology away. “Sophie went to check on her mother this morning. She’s in a care center. We’ll have our Christmas celebration with our grown children and grandchildren at noon. So, no interruption at all.”

“Good.” Magnolia sat down in the same chair as she had the day before. Eric sat where Lucas had been. He crossed his legs and gave her an expectant look.

She clasped her hands together and took in a quick breath before launching in. “I know that Grandfather thinks that I would be better off with Roman, but it’s not true. I love Lucas and want to marry him.” Her voice hitched. “Surely you can see how I feel about Lucas.”

He tipped his head thoughtfully. “Yes, I can tell that you are fond of him.”

Hope sprouted in her chest as her words rushed out. “Lucas is the best thing that has ever happened to me!” Her eyes misted. “I have never been as happy,” she said hoarsely.

He studied her carefully, his lips pinched together. “You have to admit that it looks a bit suspicious that you would break up with your longtime boyfriend shortly before the deadline and then suddenly, you’re in love with some other guy.” He held her with a look. “A guy who knows about your inheritance. A guy who has everything to gain.”

“Lucas isn’t like that,” she stammered. “He loves me as I love him.” She eyed Eric with defiance. “In fact, Lucas doesn’t care about the money. He’s been trying to talk me into giving it all up.” She felt a swell of victory when she caught the flash of surprise in Eric’s eyes.

“Really,” he mused. “That’s interesting.”

She held out a hand. “Here’s the bottom line. I’m marrying Lucas tomorrow, with or without Grandfather’s and your approval.” Her throat felt dryer than a pack of cotton balls as she swallowed. “I hope that you and Grandfather will see fit toapprove of Lucas, so that I can get my inheritance, but if not … well, I guess it is what it is.”

“You really do love Lucas,” he said quietly like it was a new revelation.

“Yes,” she exclaimed, laughter catching in the back of her throat. “I do.”

His brows furrowed. “But your relationship with him developed so fast.”

“Yeah, it did.” She crossed her legs and wrapped her hands around her knee. “It came as much of a surprise to me as anyone.” She pursed her lips. “Then again, when you consider that Lucas and I have a long history, it makes more sense.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “A history?”

She rubbed her lips together. “I’ve been interested in Lucas since childhood.” She told Eric the story about how she and Lucas dated after high school. “When we reconnected, things were rocky at first, but then came that magical moment where everything just clicked.” She sighed. “Look, I realize that on paper, Lucas doesn’t seem like he’d be a good fit for me, but in reality, he’s perfect—the only one I want.” A smile waffled over her lips. “It’s funny how things happen.” When her words ran dry, she looked at Eric, hoping against hope that she had managed to persuade him to her side.

“What about Roman? He seems like he loves you very much. It took a great deal of courage and humility for Roman to come here and beg your forgiveness.”

Her insides tightened. “If he hadn’t cheated on me to start with, then there wouldn’t have been any need for him to make amends.”

“If he did cheat.”

Irritation splashed over her. “I know what I saw.” She sucked in a quick breath. She didn’t want to argue with Eric. It wasn’t his fault that Roman was a cheat. Also, this wasn’t about Roman.Even if he hadn’t cheated on her, Magnolia knew now that he wasn’t the one for her. “I suppose it did take humility for Roman to come here,” she acquiesced. “It’s good of him to try and make amends …” Her voice trailed off as she shook her head.

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