Page 77 of Cowboys Next Door

Her confession is so sweet, so genuine, it tugs at my heartstrings, but I refuse to fall for it. She’s been lying to me as much as the others.

“That’s nice,” I say dully, pulling out a bottle of water. I slam the door shut. “But I’m busy. I don’t really have time for a visit right now.”

Eli’s observant eyes take in the boxes, and his shoulders draw back in shock as he suddenly realizes what’s happening.

“Are you going somewhere?” He turns to look at the disarray. I uncap the water and shrug, taking a swig as Rose gawks at me, the understanding filling her eyes also as she sees the stacks of cardboard strewn about the main floor.

“I’m beginning the process of selling the land.” I set the bottle down on the counter.

Rose gasps aloud, reaching for the counter as if to steady herself, and Eli’s eyes narrow.

“You can’t be fucking serious right now, Con,” Eli growls. “With MVP?”

I raise my shoulders again and suck back the rest of the water, gulping hard and fast as they gawk at me. Their disappointment washes over me in palpable waves.

“When? How long have you been talking to them?” Eli barks. “You just did this? That’s what you’ve been doing all week?

I nod and slap the empty bottle down, the plastic bouncing across the counter to land on the floor. Bounce attacks it, and Silo jumps on the retriever. They scuttle off into the living room to play, leaving me to confront my unwanted guests.

Rose’s complexion has gone opaque, and for the first time, I feel a stab of shame, my feelings for her resurfacing in a torrent. It had been easy to stay mad at her when she wasn’t around, but now that she’s right here, her expression crumples into grief.

“Oh, Connor,” Rose moans. “I wish you hadn’t done that.”

“Why the hell not?” I spit back. “They’re coming for it all, anyway.”

“They’re not! Not if we can stop them!” Rose cries, moving toward me, her hands reaching for me, but I pull away.

“It’s basically a done deal,” I tell her. “They’re drawing up the paperwork.”

“You don’t have to sign it,” Eli barks. “You were so against this, Connor. You’re only harming yourself in an attempt to get back at us!”

I smirk humorlessly. “No, Eli. I’m cutting my losses and walking away from this toxic place and everyone in it.”

“Oh, Connor, no. We’re a family. We belong together here. You were the first one to go up against MVP, to volunteer to help my grandmother—” Rose begins, but I cut her off before she can sweet talk another word.

“Stop it!” I bark at her. “You’re just as bad as him and Hudson—and your grandmother. You knew all about their little ownership deal and said nothing.”

Rose draws in a sharp breath and lowers her head. “It’s true that I knew about it, Con, but that deal has absolutely nothing to do with me.”

“Me neither, apparently,” I laugh, spinning away. “You two can see yourselves out. I’m in the middle of packing, and you’re keeping me. Lots to do after generations of living here.”

Rose reaches out to stop me, her soft hand almost freezing me in my tracks. God, I have missed her so much, but I’m too hurt by their secret to forgive her—any of them. I cast her a sidelong look, the temptation to gather her in my arms almost insurmountable, but somehow, I manage to stop myself from grabbing her and raining kisses all over her perfect face.

I clear my throat to break the spell she has over me.

“How’s your grandma doing?” I ask, a stab of shame piercing my soul at the way I left things with Katherine. She’s still an old lady, one who has been an integral part of my life since I was a kid.

A small smile touches Rose’s lips, and she nods, flooding me with relief.

“She’s much better. She misses you, too. Can I tell her you’ll come for a visit soon?” Rose asks pleadingly. “She’ll love to see you.”

I stiffen, recalling my last visit over there. It was the catalyst for keeping me away in the first place. The chaos of these emotions is jarring, testing the limits of my resolve.

This is exactly why I didn’t want to see them. I need to stand firm. I won’t give them a chance to screw me over again.

“No.” My guard falls back into place.

Rose’s face turns ashen again. “Connor, please don’t do this. Just talk to us?—”

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