Page 19 of Whiskey Proposal

He narrows his eyes. “Nope. It’s not.”

“I was going to meet her again, but she canceled.”

“Why?”

“Why do women usually cancel?”

He gives me a perplexed stare. No, I don’t know either, but when it comes to Emerson, I have a few guesses. She thought it was a conflict of interest. She wasn’t interested. Or more likely—she doesn’t trust me.

“You can imagine how thrilled she was to hear it was me she was marrying.”

He rolls a shoulder and sits back again. “You’re the best choice.”

He says it with such seriousness, I cock my head. “How so?” Not that I was going to let anyone else marry her.

“She’s safe with you. She might not know it, but you won’t hurt her.”

Again, his confidence is staggering, but he’s wrong. He didn’t hear my callous admission about her dad. I’ve already hurt her, and from the way she fled the breakfast table this morning, she’s just waiting for me to do it again.

CHAPTER SIX

Emerson

I used to run through these pastures. I sit in my car in Lane’s driveway and look over what’s now his land. The sun is still up, but the house is dark. It’s only seven. I’ve been gone all day, and going into the house and waiting, having it to myself, messes with my mind. What will I do? Sniff his belongings? Bury myself in his closet and pretend I’ll throw my arms around his neck when he comes home? Make him a supper like he made me a breakfast I didn’t eat?

With a growl, I get out of the car. The sounds of crickets and frogs fill the air, like they’re welcoming me back. The temptation to get back into the car is strong. I was in Billings all day with Brooks and Hillary, buying clothing and finding ways to make our dad’s house a home for her.

Brooks has to return to Denver to meet with his real estate agent, move out of his place, and clean it before it goes on the market. I should go back too, but I told Brooks I would take care of the animals. Lane or Cruz probably would, but we won’t depend on them more than we have to.

We just have to keep playing the game until that damn trust is satisfied. Lane might not fight me, but Zack’s the trustee. I don’t have the funds to fight a lawyer. I’m taking enough of a risk staying at Lane’s instead of in the house I grew up in.

Lady trots up to me, tail wagging.

“Hey, girl.” I stuff my hands in her fur. Delight rises in me when she licks my hand, then she goes on alert, staring into the distance. One of the horses moseys across the pasture.

Gah, this is so peaceful. I used to sit on the porch of the house that is now mine and envision my future, before I knew what visualization was. Big house. Abundant land. Animals that I got to spend my days with. There were no plans to design campaigns to sell beer or liquor. Nor to live in a city that was clogged with people and mountain passes so busy it’d be faster to walk. Whatever I saw in my mind’s eye back then was mine. Not some rich asshole’s who’s really considerate and kisses like I might sell my soul for another one.

One of the horses leans over the fence by the shop, hope on his face.

“Sorry, bud. I have no treats.”

Horses that expect goodies. A dog that loves kids. Cattle with abundant grass and a line of bales ready and waiting. Barn cats perched at the base of those bales, waiting for the mice to be active.

Lane takes care of what’s his—and what’s not.

My chest walls squeeze together, but I square my shoulders. I’m not his, and he’s not mine.

His house looms in front of me, taunting me. My home for the next two or three months.

I give Lady one more scratch behind her ears and then get in my car. I’m at the end of the driveway before I stop.

Where am I going?

There is one place I haven’t driven by yet. One spot that I never went to as much when I was a child. It was dangerous. Off-limits. Forbidden.

My hands are tight on the wheel. The drive isn’t far. I pass some new houses, set far enough off the road they have ample privacy. Cattle fill the pastures around the properties once more. Then there’s the Hennessy house. It sat empty when I was growing up. Three boys who were taken from their home and squirreled away, leaving their house as desolate as the defunct mine.

Is one of them back in it? Is all this theirs?