Page 26 of Rancher's Strength

“I was in the running to make partner. I really thought I’d get it, but when it came down to it, I didn’t get the position because they gave it to a man.” I picked up an egg out of the carton and rolled it around in my hand. I was tempted to crush it, but then I’d have a mess to clean up. “He had years less experience, messed up so many divorce proceedings for his clients, and they still gave him partner over me. You want to know what their reasoning was?” Ryder reached over, took the egg out of my hand, and tapped it against the edge of the frying pan.

“I have a feeling I’m not going to like it.” His voice was flat, and I knew that tone well. I had to smile.

“Oh, you’re going to hate it. They thought I should get married and start a family. They still wanted me to work, but felt it would look better for the firm if I settled down.”

“You’re fucking kidding me,” he growled.

“So, while I can wait for another opportunity, it’s never going to happen. There’s no family in my future, but I don’t want them to know that.” Crossing my arms, I waited for his response. He grabbed the towel and wiped his hands before placing them on my shoulders.

“Sweetheart, I’m going to tell you something I’ve told you more times than I can count, but I need you to listen this time.” He looked me straight in the eye, and in that moment, I knew the man in front of me was the same one I’d fallen in love with the first time I saw him. “A family doesn’t have to be from you and a willing partner—preferably me being the willing partner.” He winked, and I couldn’t fight the smile.

“We’ve been given an opportunity to create our own family. So, while we didn’t get to have a blast making it, you, Ruby, Sawyer, and I are a family. You can go back to those assholes in Bozeman and show them how big a mistake they made, or you can stay here and do whatever you want.”

“We’re a family for a year Ryder.” I didn’t want to get his hopes up that we’d stay together, but I wondered if I was trying to convince myself more than him.

“If you think I’m letting you go after a year, you really haven’t been paying attention .” He spun me around and wrapped his arms around me just as a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” he yelled, but didn’t let me go. I supposed whoever it was needed to believe we were a couple, so being this close wasn’t out of the question.

“Morning kids.” I thought it was Griffin’s voice, but as he came around the corner, I realized it was Linc.

“Morning Uncle Linc,” the kids said in unison. I looked up at Ryder, who shrugged.

“Newlyweds.” He nodded as he wandered over to the coffee. Nothing changed around this place, apparently. Linc had always made a beeline for the coffee when he came over in the morning.

“So, did they send you over to take the temperature, or are you here to make sure she’s not drafting papers to let me out of the company?” Ryder arched a brow and grabbed a knife from the block to cut the ham and veggies for the omelets.

“Haven’t talked to anyone this morning. Kind of have my own issues going on.”His face was drawn, and no matter how chipper he pretended he was, his eyes were sad.

“Linc, what’s wrong?” I asked, taking a seat at the island and pulling out a chair for him. He watched Ryder chopping vegetables and took a sip of his coffee. Glancing up, I caught Ryder’s eye and could tell he was more than concerned.

“Kristin’s gone.” His shoulders slumped, and he let his head droop.

“What do you mean gone?” Ryder asked, sniffing and wiping his eyes as he chopped the onion. The smell was potent, and I had to blink to avoid crying with him.

“I went to her apartment this morning, and her truck was gone. Mrs. Johnston told me she’d been clearing out over the last few days. Then I went to the stable, and her horses and tack were gone too.” His voice trailed off, and my heart ached for my friend.

“Oh, Linc,” I said, putting my hand on his arm. “I wondered why she wasn’t here yesterday.”

“Did you know she was leaving?” Ryder asked as he set his knife down, and Linc just shook his head.

“I saw her a week ago, and she asked for space, so I gave it to her. But then I had a note on the windshield of my truck when I went out this morning.” He rooted around in his pocket and tossed the piece of paper toward Ryder.

I watched Ryder’s face as he read the note and didn’t need to know what was on it by the sadness that filled his expression. “Guess I fucked up for good this time. Sorry. The kids.” We looked in the living room, but the kids seemed oblivious. “I thought we’d be forever.” He shifted on the stool and pulled a diamond ring from his pocket. As he tossed it, Ryder grabbed it before it could fall to the floor.

“Don’t give up. You never know what will happen.” I looked up at Ryder, who arched his brow. Linc nodded, but it wasn’t convincing, and if I knew Kristin, she’d be hell-bent on getting as far away from him as possible because he was her weakness. Apparently, my cousin and I were more alike than we ever thought. The men of the Flying Diamond Five had a crazy pull on us.

“What are you doing about work for the time you need to be here?” Linc asked, changing the subject.

“Nice deflection,” Ryder mumbled as he flipped the large omelet in the pan.

“Just making conversation. Do I get breakfast too?” Linc asked, picking up a fork and spearing a piece of green pepperthat had fallen out onto the pan. Ryder shook his head and I rolled my eyes.

“Of course you can stay. I can’t kick out my favorite cowboy.” Flinging my arm around Linc’s shoulders, he puffed up his chest, and I felt like his mood was lifting slightly.

“Hear that? I’m her favorite cowboy.” He grinned at the chef across from us, who glared at the two of us. “Don’t take it personally. We’ve always known it was me.” Linc laughed and turned to me, waiting for my answer to his question.

“I’m going to open an office here. I suppose I need to find a place to use.”

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