Page 95 of Dallas Rivals

Eliza walks in just then, carrying a tray of steaming cups and the bread I know she baked at dawn. She sets everything on the coffee table and flashes me her usual warm smile.

“Thank you, Eli,” Kill says with an exaggerated charm. “So, where’s the rest of the staff?”

Eliza glances at me before answering—she’s smart enough to sense what he’s up to.

“Killian…” I warn.

Silas and Luca exchange amused looks.

“You know I’m just being friendly!” Killian protests.

I’m going to strangle him.

Silas stands, effortlessly slipping into his older-brother-and-CEO persona.

“Come on, Oliver. Give us the grand tour. We all want to see what really goes on out here.”

He reaches a hand back for Lauren, and she takes it instantly.

I watch their joined hands with a flicker of envy before nodding, swallowing down the sudden urge to take Cala’s in mine. But if I keep going down that road, I’ll only crash harder later.

Anyway, let the Walker Ranch tour begins.

We’re packed tight in my truck, but I don’t mind.

It feels good, having my family close—like they’re the only people in the world who can make me lower my guard and actually enjoy being around other humans.

My brothers are in awe of the land, the house, the barn, the stables, the cattle pens, the horse corral, the duck pond, the vegetable garden, and acres upon acres of open fields and trees.

When I look at it through their eyes, maybe it’s too much for one man.

But for a family? It’s just right.

A family I’ll never have. But I’d rather not open that door.

“Oliver,” Lauren calls from the back seat, perched on Silas’s lap. “What is that woman doing? Is she your employee?”

Every single one of us looks where she’s pointing.

Cala’s by the barn door, changing the horseshoe on one of the mares. She’s bent over, high-waisted jeans hugging her hips, her ass pointed straight in our direction.

The first thing I do is look at Killian—he’s wearing the exact expression of that horny wolf from the old Warner Brothers cartoons. All that’s missing is his tongue rolling onto the dashboard.

“Is that Cala?” he asks, voice dripping with disbelief.

I ignore him completely and answer Lauren instead, keeping my eyes on her through the rearview mirror.

“Yeah, that’s Cala—my foreman. She’s changing Ruby’s horseshoe. It must’ve been bothering her, but it’s for hoof protection.”

Lauren’s an environmentalist, always fighting for some cause, so I make sure to clarify before she starts a protest right here in my truck.

I park near the barn. I can already tell everyone’s dying to meet her—especially Killian, who looks way too eager. This is going to be awkward as hell; we haven’t talked in three days, and the few texts we’ve exchanged were strictly work-related.

When Cala hears the doors slam shut, she stops what she’s doing and looks our way, shielding her eyes from the sun the same way she always does. I don’t know why she won’t just wear sunglasses.

“Miss Saint-Clair!” Killian calls out, striding toward her. “Finally, an honor to meet you.”

“KillK.?” she says, shaking his hand.