Page 148 of The Guy Who Stole My Ranch

“Because it’s his dream to have a horse ranch.” Someone should be living their dream.

“He can find another.”

I shook my head. “He belongs here, Dad.” A smile crept onto my lips. “He’ll take care of this place as if he were a Shaw. He’ll improve it.”

“It’s yours if you want it.”

“No.” As much as it pained me to say it, I meant it. I had no idea what life had in store for me, but this place was no longer mine, it was his. “William should have it.” Part of me hoped it could be ours, but that was a leap that I had no right to make. He had responsibilities that his family wasn’t going to let him get out of, and apparently, I had some choices to make about what I wanted to be when I grew up.

Dad continued to watch me. I smiled and said, “Besides, you need to retire. You’ve been tied to this place since you were born. Take Kathline and travel the world. Live your best life. You deserve it. Mom would want you to.”

Now tears pooled in his eyes, and his hand squeezed mine. “What will you do?”

“I’m not sure,” I admitted.

Another familiar voice came from the doorway. “I happen to know that this place is going to need a manager.”

My head snapped to see a tall, slender silhouette standing between me and the newly risen sun.Only one man had those proportions, and only one man had the pit bull that practically danced at his side.

Dad smiled, let go of my hand, and muttered, “He landed a couple of hours ago and asked if he could drop by. I hope it’s okay.”

I nodded and watched as my dad shook William’s hand and departed.

He left me alone with William.

My heart thundered in my chest, and my hands shook. I’d just seen him, but now I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know what I wanted, apart from him.

William let Frank go, and the dog ran to me, spinning in circles and jumping to try to get at me. I laughed, grateful William had thought to bring a buffer for us. Frank was on me in an instant, and I knelt to pet him all over.

Frank, oblivious to my anxiety, kept turning so I could scratch a new spot on him. I kept my eyes on the dog but couldn’t help but notice when William’s shadow blocked the sun.

He was right there.

Chapter 40

-William-

I would never tire of watching Brooke play with Frank. Two of the things I loved most in the world were right in front of me. So close that I could reach out and touch them.

Instead of doing so, I squatted down on the other side of Frank and began petting him. The dog stopped spinning and grunted in pleasure.

I had so much to tell Brooke, but I didn’t know where to start.

Did I tell her that I wanted to explore this thing between us first? Or did I thank her for letting me buy her ranch? Or did I let her know that Courtney and I had gotten enough support from the family that Courtney would be taking over as CEO for Harris Inc.? I’d still be on the board and in charge of a handful of things, but in general, it shouldn’t keep me away from this place for more than a week out of any month of the year.

Which meant I’d be able to spend seventy-five percent of my time here.

Hopefully with Brooke.

For a good minute, I stared at my dog, afraid to look up at Brooke. Afraid that she’d tell me that she didn’t want to stay. That she didn’t want me.

A clatter sounded from outside—likely Courtney getting out of the SUV—and Frank’s ears perked up. He gave me a pleading look. If I let him go, there would be nothing between Brooke and me.

Frank whined.

“Be nice to her,” I said before I pointed at the door. Frank took off like a shot.

“Be nice to who?” Brooke asked.

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