Page 24 of Cowboys Next Door

Storming out of the restaurant, I fume, but as I get into the truck, I catch a glimpse of my expression in the rearview mirror and pause.

What are you so mad about?

Breathing deeply, I consider the question. If they want to help her, so what? I don’t have to. But why am I so mad about them helping out?

I start the truck and back out of the space, heading down the dark road, leading into Helena, and subsequently, Stannich.

I’m almost home when I understand what triggered me.

I didn’t want to do it for the same reason I had never done it before. I could have started working on Katherine’s broken-down ranch years ago, but what if I failed, the same way that Dad always said I would?

I wouldn’t just be failing myself: I’d be failing Katherine… and Rose, too.

It’s just better if I don’t touch it. They can see for themselves what a wasted effort this will turn out to be. And no one can blame me for the outcome.

CHAPTER8

Eli

I’m unsure how to digest this newfound idea. Hudson’s clearly against it, and truth be told, I see his point. The BB seems beyond salvage, yet Rose’s enthusiasm makes me believe that it just might be possible to do something great with the property.

Connor’s stance puzzles me further. When I took over the ranch, my parents told me that Hudson has the same ownership as me, but Connor doesn’t have any ownership in the BB. His motivation to assist Katherine and Rose seems unclear; perhaps he seeks their approval?

I have to admit, my own interest isn’t purely business oriented. The prospect of being near Rose, spending more time with her, holds a certain allure that’s hard to ignore. In her company, I feel a drive to prove myself, not just as a businessman, but as a man she might see herself with.

I also have to consider Katherine.

I loathe the thought of the old lady living alone in basically squalor, every step a danger to her. And while I do what I can to ensure she isn’t perpetually in harm’s way, the inherent firefighter instinct in me can’t help but worry about her constantly.

But I have my reservations, too. Katherine sold part of her land to Hudson’s father and mine, because she simply did not have money. How does she expect to pay for these repairs and renovations?

“You don’t look convinced,” Katherine comments dryly, reading my expression plainly. “Do you have something to say?”

“Oh, I’m convinced,” I reassure her. “Your property needs to be fixed.”

“Then why is your brow furrowed to your nose?” she insists. “I think it’s wonderfully kind of Rose to offer her assistance.”

She eyes me meaningfully, and I can’t help but feel a pang of guilt, as if I should have done better by her before.

But that’s just like me, isn’t it? Disappointing to everyone.

My eyes dart around the table and rest on Katherine, who stares back at me, waiting for an answer. My gaze drifts toward her beautiful granddaughter, swirls of unbidden heat twining through me as I recognize how much more time this will mean that we spend together.

I notice that her hand has remained inches from mine on the table since we started talking, and I want desperately to take it, but I don’t dare.

Connor’s leer widens, and I wonder what’s going through his mind, but I imagine his thoughts aren’t much different from mine.

That logical side of me chimes in again, forcing me to look beyond the fullness of her lips as she stares at me with nakedly imploring eyes.

Am I sure about her?I question myself, my gaze lingering on Rose.How does she get to sweep in here and decide this for me? It’s a little too good to be true. Is she coming for my money with this business proposition as a front?

“I’m just thinking about what’s involved,” I answer carefully, flicking my gaze toward Connor, who smirks, twirling the butter knife around between his fingers.

“I’m willing to pick up most of the slack, I swear,” Rose reiterates, but like Hudson had already said, I can’t entirely believe that, either.

She’s a small thing, and those pretty nails will break the first time she picks up a hammer. What does she know about fixing up a ranch? Why is she getting Katherine all jazzed up for this when she’s liable to make things worse? Moreover, we all have our respective properties to run.

It’s an insurmountable feat, even with a professional. The property would require a full team of capable contractors, not a single girl with an interior design degree.

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