Page 54 of Unyielding
I realized exactly what was happening and knew that there was no way I could avoid it. I was about to confirm Declan’s unethical behavior to the unofficial gossip of Poplar Springs. It would trash his reputation, but the truth was, a part of me welcomed the opportunity to throw him under the bus. He’d ruined my chances with a horse that could’ve been the next big thing for my program. Instead, the mare I’d pinned so many hopes on had been sold out from under me toBecca. I was so angry with him that I was willing to grab the microphone at the podium and tell the whole damn room what he’d done to me.
I cleared my throat, trying to unstick the words. “I guess he did.”
“Hmph,” Walter said, his displeasure obvious in the single syllable. “That’s what the two Bobs thought too. Now, I didn’t want to jump to conclusions since I like the fellow, but talking about folks’ business like that is as crooked as a barrel of fishhooks if you ask me. I’ll have to let Doc Ruth know that I won’t stand for that sort of behavior in any vet I have on my property. And I know most of the other folks here feel the same.”
I couldn’t make sense of the wave of sadness that washed over me at Walter’s revelation. I was so hurt and angry by what Declan had done, but at the same time, I wanted to try to convince Walter that he was wrong about Declan. One mistake shouldn’t define him.
One massive, business-maiming mistake that was going to cost me, big time.
And Becca had won, yet again.
My hackles went up once more.
“I don’t know what to say,” I answered honestly.
“Well, there’s not much to say now. Seems he loaded his own wagon, now he’s got to drive it.” Walter gave me a kind smile. “You take care, hear? Tell that brother of yours that we missed seeing his face today.”
I nodded, then hurried toward the door, keeping my eyes glued to the black and white checkered linoleum floor as I tried to hold back tears.
“Hey, you’re leaving?”
Declan filled the doorway to the old building, his eyes wide as he took in the look on my face.
“Hi, yeah, I am.” I barely glanced at him and kept moving like I was going to duck past him.
He moved to block the doorway and frowned. “Whoa, whoa, hold on, what’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong?” I shot back at him, my eyes locked on his. “Why don’t you askBecca?”
Declan recoiled and it gave me just enough space to slip outside.
“Shannon, wait,” he shouted as he followed me outside. “Please tell me what’s going on!”
“No, why don’t you go ask her?” I said over my shoulder as tears flooded my eyes despite my best efforts to keep them at bay. I jogged to my truck and hopped in, hoping that he’d take the hint and not chase after me. He stood frozen in the parking lot and watched me peel off before trudging back into the building.
I got stuck at the traffic light on the corner, which meant I was able to watch through the big picture window as Walter and the Bobs cornered Declan. I was too far away to read his expression, but I didn’t have to.
I knew exactly what they were saying. And how he was going to take it.
I shook my head and slammed my foot on the gas the second the light turned green. At least he’d haveBeccato comfort him once he learned that everyone in town was about to turn against him.
THIRTY-FIVE
DECLAN
I’d screwed up.
I drove to Shannon’s in a haze after the meeting. From the way she left, I knew she didn’t want to talk to me, but I needed to explain my side of what had happened.
Walter’s words echoed in my head. “Trust matters most around here. And once it’s lost, it’s damn hard to win back.”
It had taken me a few minutes to sort out what Walter meant, but when it all finally clicked into place, I felt sick. I’d done my best to reassure them that I wasn’t the type of person to share ranch secrets, and that I certainly hadn’t intended to help Becca undercut Shannon, but by the time I left, I still couldn’t tell if I’d been successful. This was the exact sort of thing that Ruth had warned me about and I’d walked right into it. I needed to tell Shannon my side of the story.
I realized that I probably should’ve reached out to Shannon before driving over, but I didn’t want to risk her screening my call, or worse yet, picking up and telling me not to come. I needed to see her face, to apologize in person for my mistake.Because that’s all it was, and once she realized that I would never undermine her, she’dhaveto get past it. Right? I hoped so, but from the look on her face when she was leaving, it was clear that she was furious. And beneath that, she was hurting.
I came to a stop in the driveway and saw Josh walking toward the house. I could only imagine what Josh thought of me, but I wasn’t about to walk away from the messy conversation. I climbed out of my truck and nodded at him.
“Hey there, Dec. Did you hear the good news about Sunshine from Shannon? She made her pitch to me this morning, and I said yes.”
