Page 94 of Dirty Cowboy

She grabs my arm, her grip tight. “You need to stop this. What happened in that house wasn’t your fault.”

My jaw tightens. “Everything that happened that day is my fault. I’m the one who wanted to show you the foal.”

Annabelle’s expression softens, but she doesn’t let go. “Is that why the farm’s going under?”

I shake my head. "It’s not going under. I’ll fix things."

She sighs, rubbing her temples. "You mean, you’re taking the easy way out. You’re counting on Grandpa’s money instead of facing what really needs to change. The fire wasn’t your fault and nothing’s going to get better until you stop paying Huntz."

She’s right. That’s why my next payment will be my last.

I wrap my arms around her, holding her tightly. "Don’t worry. It’ll be over soon."

Once Huntz is gone, Annabelle can finally come home. And I can finally focus on Emma.

I kiss the top of her head and let her go. “Don’t you miss this place? Don’t you miss Derek?”

Her sigh is heavier this time. "Of course, I miss home. And… Yeah, maybe I miss him too. But he’s Blake’s father. That would be weird."

I smirk. "You know, it’s stupid to be alone when the person you love is standing right in front of you."

She narrows her eyes. "Are you talking about me or yourself?"

I glance at Emma. She’s up on stage with Grandpa, laughing with the sheriff.

“Maybe both of us,” I admit.

Annabelle folds her arms, tilting her head. "Are you actually engaged?"

I exhale, watching as Emma waves from the stage.

"I guess, it’ll be official tomorrow night."

My shoulders sink as I lean in, the weight of my own damn lies pressing against my chest. The words taste bitter—like every time I told Annabelle I was fine after Huntz, like the hollow assurances that the nightmares had stopped. But this time, the lie isn’t to protect her.

It’s to save the ranch.

Caroline works at the next booth over, so I grab Annabelle’s arm and steer her away.

“Emma agreed to be my fiancée so Grandpa would sign over his assets,” I say, keeping my voice low.

Her eyes go wide. “What?”

“It started that way, but now…” I rake a hand through my hair.

“But now?” she prompts.

I sigh. “Now, it’s more.”

Her brows lift. “So itisreal?”

“Our relationship, yes. The engagement? No.” The admission settles like lead in my gut. “Even though I’d like it to be.”

“Eric!” she whisper-shouts, incredulous.

“What?” I glance around the barn, making sure no one’s listening.

“You’re announcing an engagement tomorrow and you’renot engaged?” Her voice rises again.

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