Page 20 of Dirty Cowboy

Tristan rubs the back of his neck, lying through his teeth. “It is a case. Tell her about Huntz.”

My jaw clenches, but Emma’s eyes lift with piqued curiosity.

“Annabelle’s coming home for Thanksgiving,” Tristan continues. “The guy who kidnapped them was never found, and I was hoping you’d look through old evidence, see if he could be charged.”

Emma blinks. “I didn’t know you were kidnapped.”

“It was a long time ago,” I say, keeping my voice level.

“What makes you think he’s back?”

Tristan’s phone chimes, and he stands. “Excuse me.” He leaves without another word, leaving Julian to pick up the act.

“Point is, Ems, you need to go to Lords Valley immediately,” Julian says, voice firm.

Emma turns to me, whispering, “I can’t leave. Dad’s not well.”

She unconsciously touches her throat, a tell I recognize all too well.

Julian shifts in his seat. “The files are in Lords Valley. You’d need to be there to go through them.”

Another lie.

Emma slumps back slightly. Julian’s phone rings, and he follows Tristan out, leaving us alone.

“If I can’t convince you, they sure as hell won’t,” I murmur.

She exhales, gaze steady. “Eric, I wish I could help, but?—”

“Please, Ems.” My voice lowers. “Don’t reject me.”

Her breath hitches.

“There’s more to this, but I can’t say it in front of your brothers.”

She leans in. “What is it?”

I check the door, then scoot closer. “If my grandfather passes before assigning his estate to me, we won’t have enough money to save my parents’ ranch.”

She tilts her head. “Okay… And where do I fit into this?”

“If I have a girlfriend, Grandpa will transfer the assets to me before he passes.”

Her forehead creases. “That’s so old school.”

“That’s Grandpa.”

“Wait…” She blinks. “Am I connecting the dots here?”

“If your dots form into me begging you to be my pretend girlfriend, then yes, you’re connecting them.”

She sucks in a sharp breath, adjusting her shirt. “You want me to come to Lords Valley to be yourgirlfriend?”

“Grandpa’s arriving from Aruba this week. You’re the only accomplice who can pull this off.”

“What about John Huntz?”

Nothing. There’s nothing I want to tell her about Huntz. Forgetting him is easier. But a case for Emma sweetens the deal.

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