Page 42 of The Cowboy Fix

“And I’m ready to go home,” Sylvia said with a laugh. “Come on Iz, I have things to do before I leave.”

Nathan sent Izzy a questioning look.

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later.” Dropping her napkin on the table, she stood to accompany Sylvia who was already making her way back through the tearoom.

Nathan was right behind Izzy. “I’ll get the bill.”

“That’s okay. Thanks.” Even at that, he stood by while she presented her credit card.

Out on the pavement, the stubborn man held the door open while Sylvia climbed into the Land Rover. He pulled on her mom’s seatbelt until she could reach it, then shot Izzy a challenging glance. “Come to breakfast tomorrow morning. Blake and Jonas will be there. We can talk about our next move.”

“I’ll be there.” She smiled at the bossy cowboy, adding for good measure. “I’d like bacon and eggs, please.”

“Count me out. I’ll be packing,” Sylvia said, aiming a happy grin at Izzy.

She could guess what her mom was thinking. She loved the idea of Izzy making an attachment with Nathan Lohmen. It wasn’t going to happen.

When she let herself into the main house the next morning, it wasn’t a happy family breakfast that Izzy walked into. And right in the middle of it all was Nathan, his fists balled at his sides.

Izzy just hoped she wasn’t the cause of the brothers’ current disagreement.

Chapter Thirteen

He hadn’t beenfollowing Izzy and her mom, Nathan silently swore. He’d just been delivering the bill for the last bit of work he’d done for Elizabeth before breaking his hip. He’d forgotten about the payment before Elizabeth had called and reminded him.

“What’s this?” Blake demanded as he held out a single-page letter and its envelope. Nathan lost his preoccupation with Izzy and Sylvia.

Holding onto a business-looking envelope, Blake dropped the rest of the mail he’d picked up at the Post Office on the table.

Nathan took the letter Blake was waving and quickly scanned the page. It was from an equestrian real estate company. They had a buyer for the Triple L, sight unseen with no financial outlay on the brothers’ part. “It looks like someone wants to buy the ranch. So?”

“So, did you put the place up for sale without talking to us about it first?” Blake stepped closer getting in Nathan’s face after he handed the letter to Jonas.

Nathan curled his hands into fists. Was his brother kidding? “The Triple L is not for sale.”

“You bet your size thirteen boots it isn’t,” Blake growled, then shoved his hands in his pockets and circled the island. When he came back, his lips were pressed into a straight line, but his frustration was under control.

Nathan understood Blake’s sudden temper. If he thought either of his brothers had put the ranch up for sale without consulting him first, Blake wouldn’t be the only one losing it.

“This is from the bank.” Blake handed over the other envelope. It was still sealed. “I had to sign for it when I picked up the mail.”

Just as he turned it over and opened the flap, the sound of the front door closing reached Nathan. Izzy. She was coming for breakfast.

He should have put the letter from the bank aside to read later, but with his brothers hovering to see why the bank had sent him official mail, he didn’t have a choice but to see what the financial institution wanted, especially since they normally emailed notifications.

As he pulled the pages out of the envelope, Jonas leaned over his shoulder. Blake paced a few steps away.

“It’s a late notice for July on your loan,” Jonas said in a low growl.

He was mad. Nathan wouldn’t blame him if it were true. “I’m not behind in my payments, Jonas. I paid on the second like I always do.”

“Then why is the bank sending you a certified letter?” Jonas inserted softly. It took a lot to rile his oldest brother, but he sure seemed on the brink of losing it now.

“I don’t know.” Nathan folded the letter and put it back in the envelope, then tossed it on the table. “The bank opens at nine. I’ll go see them as soon as we’re done with breakfast.”

“We’re going with you,” Jonas said firmly, allowing no argument.

He cast Izzy a look of apology. He’d wanted to give his brothers an update on their progress, not spend the morning fighting over a bank error.

---