Page 60 of The Guy Who Stole My Ranch

Would I buy another ranch? Something smaller that I could then improve?

I could go back to law—I’d kept my license up to date—but didn’t really have a desire to do that. Instead of being stuck in an office in a high-rise building, I’d much rather be here.

“I’m not sure,” I admitted.

“You can come live with us.” Xavier sniffed loudly, and I could tell he was finished crying.

“Good to know, but you might want to clear that with your dad first.”

“Mom and Dad have already discussed it.”

My jaw clenched, and I found myself crushing the barley chaff in my gloved hand. I should be grateful that my family wanted to look after me, but instead, a wave of anger engulfed me.

I can take care of myself.

William dropped a handful of grain into his bucket before reaching past me for another. He whispered so softly that I barely heard it. “You’re welcome to stay in your house for as long as you need.”

A sudden lump rose in my throat, and I blinked in order to keep my own tears at bay.

“Are you okay?” Xavier asked.

“Fine.” I pulled a glove off and wiped my eye. “Just got something in there.”

“Do you need drops?” Xavier shot to his feet and ran back toward the truck where we’d put the first aid kit.

I sighed.

“Did I say something wrong?” William asked softly.

“No.” I waved him away. I wasn’t ready to share my feelings.

“I’m fairly certain I did.” I jumped when he put his hand on my back. “Please, tell me.”

It took more to make me cry than most people, but the past few weeks had worn my emotions thin, and as soon as one tear leaked from my eye, a second followed. Then a third. I’d been avoiding thinking about packing up my house and leaving. Now the reality of it hit me, and all of my walls came crashing down. I got to my feet just as Xavier arrived.

“If you kneel, I can put them in for you,” Xavier said.

“I’m fine.” I moved away from him.

“Why don’t you let me do it?” William held his hand out for the bottle. “I’m taller than you.”

“Okay.” Xavier sounded relieved.

I walked away from everyone, and I could hear William coming after me. “I don’t have anything in my eye,” I muttered when I stopped. “You can go.”

“If I go, your brothers will know something is wrong. I get the feeling you don’t like to show weakness in front of them.”

I looked over my shoulder and found William standing between me and my family. He held up the bottle of drops. “If you allow me to pretend to use these, then they won’t bother you about it.” His eyes flicked to my now wet cheeks, then back up to meet my gaze.

How had he figured out so much about me in such a short time? He was absolutely right about the others.

What did I know about him besides he was attentive, intelligent, kind, and thoughtful? He was actually a really nice guy, which had made my anger at him wane. Which made me angrier.

He wiggled the bottle, and I nodded. “Okay.”

William moved until he stood in front of me. My eyes stared at the nape of his neck. More tears threatened, and I blinked them away.

“Mind if I remove this?” He tapped the brim of my cowboy hat.

---