Page 43 of Wildest Dreams

“I want to rinse them for every penny they have,” her voice is thick, her breath shuddering on its intake.

“Well...” Riggs breathes out, reaching behind him for a coffee then letting out a low whistle. “Seems Dixie is on our side after all.”

Her head snaps around as she shoves Riggs in the chest.

“I wouldn't go that far, I'm here to get his money for a better life for me and Lainey. Then I’ll be gone. I had no interest staying in Lovelock Bay ten years ago, I certainly do not have any interest now.” And for some reason her words sting a little more than I would like to admit. Slicing through me slowly, blood seeps out of the band aids I so delicately placed over my wounds.

“What's your plan then sweetheart?” Riggs asks her and I’m not going to lie, the sound offsweetheartrolling off his lips makes my blood boil a little.

I watch as her shoulders rise and fall with a heaving breath.

“You don't have one?” I ask, stepping a little closer to her just as she spins around to face me, eyes bouncing between me and my brother.

“No,” she whispers, defeat evident in her timid little voice.

“Then you better start spilling darlin' and we can try and help you,” Riggs lifts his eyes from her to me, then up to the soft ticking clock on the kitchen wall, “and we better get to work.” I watch as he sweeps his gaze over her. She is dressed in a cotton night dress, frilly hem and pretty frilled straps that sit over her shoulder and all I can think about is dusting my lips across the bare skin on her shoulders.

My lips twitch.

“Shit, yeah... I’ve just got to go change... and stuff.”

And stuff.

Lainey.

She needed to make sure everything was sorted for Lainey.

“Do what you need to do, we will meet you in the bunkhouse about eight...” I trail off and I can feel the way Riggs' eyes are burning into the side of my head.

Until this morning, I didn't know she breastfed. I mean, why would I.

She gives a soft nod then turns on her heel and disappears upstairs.

“This isn't going to work if you're going to make allowances for her,” Riggs grunts as my eyes trail after her, sighing, I face him.

“I'm not making allowances. She has a kid man, she breastfeeds... she can't just... stop.” I roll my lips and shake my head softly from side to side.

Riggs’ eyes widen slightly before softening.

“I didn't even think…”

“Well maybe use that big brain of yours.” I pat him on the shoulder, a chuckle breezing through my lips.

“Fuck off,” he grumbles before breaking into a smile.

“There it is,” I smirk, “such a pretty boy when you smile Riggs.”

Placing my cup into the sink, I turn on my heel and head for the door. “Coming?” I call out.

“Yeah,” and with a grunt, he is behind me, and we walk out towards the bunkhouse.

Sittingin the saddle of Bucky, a new American quarter horse, I look out at our land. Rivera Ranch. The green rolls for miles and I feel incredibly lucky to call this place my home. Pacey trots up beside me, lifting his cowboy hat and running his fingersthrough his messy blond hair before his hat lands back on his head.

“It's something right?” he is slightly breathless.

“It is,” I nod, loosening the reins for a moment on Bucky.

“You doing okay?” I look over at my kid brother, his skin weathered and tired. The weight of the world lays heavy on his shoulders.

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