Page 27 of Javier

Thoughtfulness.

A barely-there smile that carried into his eyes.

Sadness.

Fascination.

He rose and went to the rail and gazed at the river.

She waited.

Five minutes.

Fifteen minutes.

It was as if he had been transported somewhere else.

Her bladder whined from all the coffee. Memphis took a bathroom break. Javier was in the same spot upon her return. He was so still.

“Jav?” She approached slowly, sidling next to him and circled his waist with her arm.

“What’s the problem? Why do you want me to come to the ranch?” He didn’t glance at her and continued to stare off in a southern direction. “Is it the will? You had said the trust was ironclad.”

This wasn’t what she was expecting. Yes, she wanted him to come but she had hoped he would talk about the estrangement.

“There was no issue with the will. Pops went over it with Eben and me. We knew what to expect. The trust, too. As I said, the problem is that the wedding has been moved up by a year. There needs to be a prenup in place to protect the trust and the ranch.”

“I don’t understand where I come in or where the family might.”

“I need your support, even though I assume Pops felt he didn’t.”

“Ransom absolutely did need our support.”

They startled at the sound of Daphne’s voice. “Mom! Daphne!” They cried in unison.

“Coffee, Mom?”

What the hell?Memphis was not dressed to see anyone else. “Excuse me. I need to, uh, change. I’ll get you a cup, Daphne.” Her entire body blushed. She pulled at the hem of Javier’s tank, crossed her arms to lessen her exposure, and hurried indoors.

CHAPTERELEVEN

Javier decided to take the day off. What was happening was more important than work, and his projects were ahead of schedule. He sat down across from his mother. “You’re never here at this hour during the week.”

“Well, there’s a lot going on. I thought you and your girlfriend might need me.”

“She’s not my girlfriend. She’s?—”

“Memphis is more than a casual relationship You’re simply having trouble accepting that.”

“She wants me to go to Texas and help with an issue about the ranch. I’m not equipped.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Youareequipped, or Ransom wouldn’t have reached out to you through his daughter. He needs you, even in death, to protect what he built for his family. To protect her. By the way, I like her. That’s why I’m here.”

I like her too. “You’re in my business, Mom.”

“I am. I’m asking that you allow me to be while you address what you need to do for Memphis and her father.”

“Ransom.”

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