Page 99 of The Science of Attraction

“Oh, dear boy,” Norma said bleakly. “I’m so sorry.”

“You leave my uncle alone.” Connor burst from the veranda into the kitchen, his face stained with tears. “Liam isn’t a liar.”

“Connor, it’s okay—” Liam crossed the room to gather his nephew close.

“No, it’s not.” Connor shook him off. “He can’t just say stuff like that.” He rounded on Paddy. “Liam’s the best man I know. He’s honest and smart and he’s always been there for us. He helps anyone he can, even you, even a dry old bigot who doesn’t think people like him deserve to exist or be happy.”

Paddy’s eyes sprang wide. “I n-n-n-ever said he diiiidn’t d-deserve?—”

“Yes, you did,” Connor insisted, tears streaming down his cheeks. “You’re doing it right now. If Liam was a nice country girl, you’d be all over the idea of them being together. But because he’s a guy, you can’t stand the thought, even though they love each other. Even though Liam makes Jules happy.That’swhat being a bigot is. Right next to being an arsehole.”

“Connor, that’s enough,” Liam tried a second time.

“But it’s true.” Connor once again wriggled free of Liam’s grasp. “I can’t believe I was actually starting to like you. But you’re just like all the other bullies. Maybe you don’t use your fists, but what you think and do is no better than the guys who beat me up.”

Zach clapped Connor on the shoulder, saying, “I think I like this kid.” My father shot him a suitably dark look that Zach ignored, adding, “Oh no. You don’t get to have an opinion on what I do or say anymore, old man.”

“Enough,” our mother growled. “Paddy, I won’t stand idly by and let you screw up. Not this time.”

My father blanched. “I caaan’t j-just l-let—” He hesitated, his chin dropping to his chest like he was summoning his strength. Then he turned and looked straight at Liam. “Go.”

My mother’s disappointed sigh carried the weight of the universe, and she shook her head in utter frustration.

Liam took his nephew by the shoulders. “Come on, Connor. It’s time we left.”

I reached for them both. “No. Liam, please wait.”

But he shook his head. “I need to get Connor out of here, and you need to talk with your family. Find me when you’re done.”

Zach clasped Liam’s shoulder. “If you’re too uncomfortable, you can take Connor to the cottage on Miller Station and we’ll meet you there.”

Liam looked to me and I nodded. “Whatever works best for you. I’ll join you as soon as I can.” I pulled him close and kissed him, to hell with all the eyes watching.

And when I let him go, Liam wore a soft, grateful smile. He cupped my face and mouthed the words, “I love you, baby. Nothing that happens today is going to change that.”

Relief coursed through me. “I love you too. I promise I won’t be long.”

“Take as much time as you need. I’ll be waiting.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

Jules

When Liamand Connor were gone, I sucked in a deep breath and swung around to face my father. This had been coming a long, long time.

“How fucking dare you.”

He visibly reeled. No one spoke to my father like that,ever.

I rested my knuckles on the table and stared him down. “I am thirty-five years old, and I have given everything to this station.Everything.I will not be treated like a child who doesn’t know their own mind and who can’t choose to love whomever I want. I’ve spent my entire life living byyourrules. We both have.” I glanced at Zach who nodded vigorously, pride in his eyes. “We didwhatyouwanted,whenyou wanted, andhowyou wanted it done, down to the smallest fucking thing. And we did it because you’re right, thisisyour land, and it’syourstation, and you knew what you were doing. You’re one of the best landowners in the Mackenzie. And one day I thought this station would be mine.”

My father grumbled something that sounded likeover my dead body, and I was so fucking angry I slammed my fist on the table, making him jump.

“Well, you almost got your wish, didn’t you?” I barked. “If it weren’t for Zach and Luke, you might’ve died on that mountain and we wouldn’t be having this godawful conversation. But you survived because we made sure you did—Zach, Luke, and me. We put our lives on the line to get you down”—I stabbed a finger at him—“because you were too pig-headed to listen to sense.Youput this station at risk,notme.”

“Don’t you talk to your father?—”

“Shut up, Marty.” I didn’t even look, my gaze locked on my father.

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