Page 61 of Embracing Hope

“Page two. Peek at the story,” she said coldly.

He shook out the paper and read the article. His face turned grim.

“Hope, I’m not involved in this,” he stated confidently.

She felt bile rise in her throat. “You were the only one who I told about the book. No one else would have, could have, known. You betrayed me. You said I could trust you.”

He moved in closer. “You can rely on me. I’m not the only one who knows. You signed a contract with the publishing company and they could have made the news public.”

“Can I rely on you? After you revealed everything to Daddy. That wasn’t your place!?”

“Yes, I did. Hope, if I’m brave enough to sleep with a father’s daughter in his house, then I’m going to be brave enough to admit it if he asks me. I’m not ashamed of what we’ve shared. And I certainly won’t lie.”

“What about the merger? You said you wanted this. Was that a lie?”

“It wasn’t a lie, but I’m not the only one who decides. CJ wanted to withdraw.”

She held back her tears. “Was it because you mentioned Daddy’s cancer?”

He looked down for a moment. “Hope, CJ and I run the business together. It was important for him to hear the truth from me. I care for Marcum Livestock as much as you care for Sagebrush Rose. You should understand that.”

“Did you even fight for the deal? You said you were impressed with the ranch.”

He shook his head. “Maybe this isn’t the right time—”

“The right time? Are you serious?”

Her cell phone buzzed. In agitation, she pulled it out and saw that it was Courtney. Her message read…

“I need to see you. Please come as soon as you can. Courtney.”

“Hope, let’s sit down and discuss this. I have some ideas—”

She shook her head, sending tendrils of hair around her face. “I have nothing left to say, especially to you. I’m going to see Courtney, and by the time I get back, I expect you to be off this property.”

*****

Isaac wanted to chase after Hope, but uncertainty steadied his feet like glue to the barn floor.

How could she believe he’d divulge her secrets, and her family’s, to anyone? She should know him better than that.

“Hey? Did Hope leave?” Jinx said when came back into the barn.

“Yeah, she’s gone,” Isaac said dryly.

“Shoot. I wanted to tell her the news.”

Isaac swung around. “What news?”

“Sheriff Dussan was shot an hour ago by his stepbrother, Dex Carter. I figured she’d want to know, considering all the trouble he’s caused her friend Courtney and now to her and Billy.” Jinx looked worried.

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve heard that Dex left a letter confessing that he stabbed Billy, broke into the main house, and has been stalking Hope. They’ve got everyone out searching for him.”

Then it clicked with Isaac where Hope was going. Isacc didn’t know much about the man, Dex, but he had a feeling the first place he’d go is to his family. A man doesn’t leave a signed confession unless he’s planning something sinister.

“Jinx, do me a favor. Keep trying to reach Hope. She told me she was heading to Courtney’s. I’ll head there.” He had a feeling Hope wouldn’t answer his calls or texts.

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