Page 70 of Dirty Cowboy

I clench my fist. “Don’t you think she should be by her father’s side?”

“There’s no point right now. He’s in the ICU, no visitors allowed until they get the fever down. I just wanted you to know, it could be soon.”

A bitter taste fills my mouth. Lying to Emma about this makes me feel like shit. Sheshouldbe home with her family, not here playing pretend. But if she leaves now, there’s no engagement announcement at Harvest Fest. No deal with Grandpa. No saving the ranch.

“What if she doesn’t get a chance to say goodbye?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

“She will. I’ll make sure of that.” There’s a pause. “And Eric?”

“Yeah?”

“Keep this conversation between us.”

Fuck.

“Got it.” Silence stretches before I exhale sharply. “Tristan?”

“What?”

“Did you send Caroline to Lords Valley on purpose?”

A smirk laces his words. “What do you think?”

I grit my teeth. “Why?”

“To keep your eye on someone other than Emma.”

His words hit like a sucker punch. My gut twists.How far is he willing to go to keep Emma away from me?

“You’re an asshole. I fucking hate Caroline.”

He laughs. “I know.”

I let out a humorless chuckle. “I won’t forget this, Silver. And you know it’s not like that with Emma.”

Except maybe it is, because the more he tells me to stay away, the more I want her.

“Good. Keep it that way.”

I grind my teeth.

We hang up, and I stare at my phone. I stir the pot of chili absentmindedly, offering a silent prayer for Mr. Silver.

Minutes pass. Then more.

Emma still isn’t home.

I turn off the stove and grab my phone, dialing Annabelle. She picks up on the second ring.

“Hey, have you talked to Emma today?”

“No, I spent the day at Derek’s. He got a new dog. Why? Is everything okay?”

“Emma’s not home, and she’s not answering her phone.”

“The connection out here always sends me to voicemail. Want me to ask around?”

“Call Misty too. Let me know if you find her.”

---