Page 102 of The Rogue

“Don’t mention it.”

I turn to the open door, flipping through the small stack. I approved four for pick up this week. I stop in dead my tracks when I count one too many in my pile.

And the name of the buyer on the extra card.

“Hey, Indie.”

Tessa strolls into the stables late that afternoon. Her auburn hair is down and wild over her shoulders. Her plaid red and white shirt is tied at the waist.

But it’s those goddamn short shorts that are going to make this so fucking hard.

Her rested eyes sparkle as she approaches. “You been hidin’ out here all day. You alright?” She glances at Willow like she didn’t just take her from us.

I set down the curry comb and stare her down. “Something you forget to tell me, Whiskey?”

Her gaze wanders, then flicks to the horse, eyes flashing with understanding. “What are you doing?”

“What’s it look like I’m doing? I’m getting your new horse ready.”

She steps closer cautiously. “Levi.”

“What the hell are you going to do with a horse? Where are you going to keep her?”

“I—”

“You know I’ve still got the right to deny the sale. Return your deposit.”

“You can’t do that,” she stammers.

“It wasn’t an authorized sale,” I yell. I’ve been hiding out between here and the Wrangler Room all day, trying to cool off, but it’s beenno use.

She rolls her shoulders back like I don’t scare her. “Would it have been for the little girl I saw riding her three weeks in a row?”

My brows twitch.

“I told you not to sell her, Indie.”

“You don’t get to tell me what to do. How to run my ranch. If you fell in love with every animal on the land, I’d be out of business,” I roar.

“Just the one. And I only love her because you do, Jackass.”

I stare at her. “So what is this? Taking a piece of us with you?”

Her eyes are fiery. “Is Willow a piece of you?”

This hits a nerve, and I lose it. “You can’t answer a question with a question, Tessa.”

“I wasn’t taking anything. I was going to leave herhere. She’s mine so you can’t sell her. And stop calling me Tessa!”

“That’s yourname.”

“You only call me that when you’re mad,” she shrieks, and it’s adorable as hell.

“Oh, you don’t like it when I’m mad? Then don't do this shit behind my back. First you make my son lie to me, now my staff?” I shout because I don’t know how to deal with what she did for us. I shout because it’s the only thing keeping me from going to her. I shout because I’m one week away from losing her.

Her eyes mist rapidly. Tessa steps back, blinking them away when her spine hits a stall door. She scares Anton—my rowdiest horse—and he snorts loudly behind her.

Tessa screams, the sound sharp and piercing. Eyes bulging, hands shaking, she leaps forward. I catch her and wrap her in my arms, pressing her head under my chin.

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