Page 82 of Falling for the Cowgirl
“Where is Jericho now? Did he take Otis to the prison in Denver?”
Brody shook his head and raised his brow at Flynn.
Flynn released a long sigh.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“He didn’t go to Denver, Ivy. He went to Chicago.”
She had the terrible feeling Flynn was telling her Jericho had gone back to his job in Chicago and didn’t have any plans to return to Colorado. After promising he’d take some time to think about their relationship, how could Jericho just leave her? Of course, if Flynn shot at him, he wouldn’t have been able to explain anything or reassure her they’d find a way to be together.
She climbed to the edge of the bed. As she put her feet on the floor, Brody stood and took hold of her arm to assist her. She shook him off.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Flynn asked.
“To Chicago. And you better not try to stop me.” Even with both feet planted firmly on the floor, she swayed and had to grab the headboard to keep from falling.
Flynn stepped closer, his hand outstretched as though to catch her if she fell. “You can’t just up and leave for Chicago.”
“Watch me.” She took a wobbly step, and when Brody reached for her again, she glared at him.
“Thunderation, Ivy!” Flynn growled. “Get back in bed before I hog-tie and toss you there.”
“You drove him away!” She tottered and this time would have fallen except for Brody scooping her up. She slapped at his chest and tried to wiggle free. “Both of you drove Jericho away with all your shenanigans.”
Even as she struggled, Brody carefully deposited her into bed. She wanted to crawl right back out, but she was too weak and her wound throbbed. Instead, she glared at her brothers. “I love him. And I’m aimin’ to spend my life with him whether you want me to or not.”
“We just want what’s best for you.” Brody palmed the back of his neck, his face lined with frustration. “Look at the heap of trouble you got into this time. It ain’t ever gonna be safe with Jericho.”
Those were almost the same words Jericho had used to describe why he’d kept pushing her away. He was haunted by the memories of all that had happened to his mom and didn’t want that happening to anyone he cared about. Even so, she was different. “I don’t need safe.”
“Reckon Jericho felt like Brody and me.” Flynn’s tone took on a sadness Ivy didn’t like. She’d much prefer the anger. “The kid was doing his blasted best to steer clear of you from the get-go. Probably had good intentions but couldn’t stay away for the better half of a second.”
“It don’t matter. Whether you like it or not, I’m going to Chicago just as soon as I’m strong enough.”
Flynn fished inside his trouser pocket. “He doesn’t want you to follow him.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I surefire do know.” Flynn took out a paper and began unfolding it.
She raised herself so she was reclining against the headboard. “You’re just trying to scare me. And it ain’t gonna work this time. I’m old enough to know my mind and what I want. And I know that what me and Jericho feel for each other is just as real as what you feel for Linnea, what Brody feels for Savannah, and what Wyatt feels for Greta.”
Flynn smoothed out the sheet but didn’t meet her gaze.
“We’re meant to be together, and we’ll figure out a way to make things work in Chicago. That’s all there is to it.”
Flynn paused and then handed her the paper.
The top read,Record of Deeds, know all men by these presents. It went on to record Landry Steele’s signature along with the wordsdo hereby sell and convey unto the said Ivy McQuaid the following described premises situated in the county of South Park and the Territory of Colorado.
The handwritten paragraph underneath described in specific details the parcel she’d been wanting to purchase from Steele.
A thrill wound through her. She was holding the deed to her land. Her name was spelled out along with the amount Steele had been asking paid in full. How had this happened? And how had Flynn gotten a hold of it?
When she glanced up at Flynn, she waited for him to jerk the deed out of her hands and tell her there was no way—not in a hundred years—he was gonna let her go off and live on her own, that there was no way she could take the deed.
But he only pressed his lips together as if he was using every ounce of restraint not to say the words.
