Page 102 of The Guy Who Stole My Ranch

I glared at my sister, but she simply smiled. “You’re in kind of a bad mood. Maybe you should go check on your horses before we have to revise Daddy’s apology.”

That sounded like a brilliant idea. I folded my napkin, placed it on top of my plate, nodded to my mother, and gave Courtney’s hand a squeeze. “I’ll be back before one.”

“Sounds good.”

As I walked out, I checked Brooke’s messages.

Brooke:I’m really missing Frank. I might need some pictures of him.

I’d sent him to the barn earlier so he could run around. I’d have to get him to pose for me there.

Brooke:Here’s a picture of the neighbor’s cows, just in case you’re missing them.

Some of my angst left as I got a trio of cow photos. One of them was a close up of a snout, complete with globs of dripping snot.

William:You are disgusting.

She answered immediately.

Brooke:I’m not the one who needs to blow my nose!

Brooke:That’s the bull. He’s missing you.

The rest of my anger fled as I chuckled. That spark that I’d observed in Victoria and Logan surfaced in me as I bantered with Brooke.

William:Are you on pain medication?

Brooke:Maybe…

William:Go watch your space shows.

Brooke:Fine.

She sent a few emojis, then one last message.

Brooke:I miss you.

Something wrenched in my stomach, but I didn’t want to focus on how empty I felt without her. I was already counting down the hours until she arrived?just a few days from now. The knowledge that she would be here soon was the only thing keeping me going. I sent her a kiss emoji and a single word.

William:Soon.

Chapter 27

-Brooke-

I’d been to New York a few times, but never with the intent to stalk someone.

Blue skies could be seen between skyscrapers, and what Jessica referred to as “a gentle spring breeze” had me huddling inside my coat. The two of us sat outside a pizza shop across the street from the corporate headquarters of Harris Inc. The structure was impressive, to say the least. All windows, shiny metal, and strange angles, it reminded me of a futuristic government building.

It was just after ten in the morning, and the streets were packed with people, many of them coming in and out of Harris Inc.

“Is it what you were expecting?” Jessica asked.

I shrugged. “It looks like the pictures.”

“But feels different?” Jessica took a bite of her slice of pizza, which was almost as long as her forearm. She’d kept her long dark hair down because she couldn’t do so during work hours—she’d taken the day off for me—and had donned a pair of bright blue yoga pants and a matching jacket. Normally she dressed in more conservative colors, but I figured that the restrictions at her office were making her desperate for a change.

“Everything feels different here.” I glanced at the sky again, just to make sure it was still there.

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