Page 141 of Cash

It took some rusty Tetris skills, but I think I nailed it. Mollie has spent the last two days figuring out what needed to come back to Dallas with her and narrowed it down to three suitcases, a laptop bag, a hatbox, and something she called a “weekender,” which are now tucked neatly into the trunk of her Range Rover.

“Y’all are only going to Dallas for two nights, right?” Wyatt appears at my elbow, a brown paper bag in his arms.

I wipe my forehead on my sleeve. “Believe it or not, yes.”

“Why we’re surprised Mollie isn’t a light packer, I don’t know.” Wyatt holds out the bag. “Patsy made some snacks for y’all. Chocolate chip cookies and her homemade pimento cheese and crackers.”

I scoff, even as my heart twists. “Of course she packed us snacks. I’ll give her a call to thank her.”

“You know Patsy. She doesn’t want any of her people going hungry.”

My brother watches me set the bag on the front console. As ridiculous as this car is, I’m looking forward to driving it. It has air-conditioning for one thing. Satellite radio with several country music channels for another.

And, yeah, the idea of Mollie riding shotgun beside me, feet on the dash, long legs stretched out, doesn’t suck either.

There’s an awkward beat of silence between Wyatt and me as I close the door and wipe my hands. I filled him in on the broad strokes of my situation with Mollie. He knows we’re more than friends. He knows she’s no longer required to stay on the ranch to get her inheritance.

He doesn’t know I’m a strung-out fucking wreck wondering if I’m gonna lose her after this weekend. Or maybe he does, and that’s why he’s out here right now seeing us off.

“So this is the first time you’ve been out of Hartsville in…how long?”

I glance at the New House’s front door. Mollie is inside, finishing her makeup. “I’ve left plenty. The rodeo in Houston that one time. And the duck hunt outside Austin.”

“That was fifteen years ago.”

“So? Still counts.”

More silence.

And then, from Wyatt, “She’s the one, isn’t she?”

I don’t bother denying it. I just shove my hands into my pockets and watch the front door.

That’s all the answer he needs.

“Don’t forget Mom’s ring is still in the safe,” he continues. “If you wanted to give it to Mollie.”

What would Mollie think of Mom’s tiny diamond on its unassuming gold band? Would she laugh at it? Or would she love it?

“Putting a ring on her finger doesn’t solve our problems.” I glance at the Rover. Should I turn it on and get the AC going so Mollie doesn’t get hot? It’s warm out here. “Mollie’s got a whole company in Dallas. And she’s close with her mom.”

Wyatt slowly nods. “Right. And you have two hundred fifty thousand acres of land at your disposal. Room enough for her companyandwhatever family y’all patch together.”

I cut him a look. “Aubrey sure as hell ain’t coming back to the ranch.”

“Just sayin’.” He holds up his hands. “You don’t have to be nervous about meeting her people, you know.”

“I’m not nervous.”

He just laughs. “You’re gonna be the fish out of water this time. And from what Garrett told us, Aubrey isn’t going to take kindly to a cowboy. Least of all one who’s dating her daughter.”

“I’m not wearin’ my hat.” I smile at him.

He smiles back. “But you’re bringing it with you. And you still got the Wranglers. And the farmer’s tan. It’s the mustache, though, that’s the dead giveaway.”

“Mollie likes it.” I splay my thumb and forefinger across the hair on my upper lip. “It stays, no matter what her mama thinks.”

“See? You’re charming when you wanna be. You’re treating Mollie right. You know what you want. Who you are. You work harder than anyone I know. If Aubrey ain’t impressed…” Wyatt lets out a low whistle. “Who cares?”

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