Page 36 of Cameron

How did they manage to celebrate when they were so close to losing everything?

“Thanks,” she said and walked out of the office.

Time to find Edward and set him straight. Hurrying into the house, her mother glanced at her.

“Are you all right? I heard about the wedding.”

“No, I’m not,” she said. “Can’t talk right now. I’ve got to find Edward.”

Hurrying down the hall, she walked into his office, not even bothering to knock on the door. It was empty. Of course, it was. Did the man ever work or do anything to help them around the ranch?

That was going to end.

The paperwork lying on his desk had Cameron’s company seal on it. What was this?

Leaning over, she picked it up, her heart crashing down around her feet. It was an offer to purchase the ranch. An offer so low it was ridiculous. An offer that listed their outstanding debts to the bank. How they had a loan at the bank, she didn’t know, but damn it, this was ridiculous.

Glancing up, she noticed her mother leaning on the door frame.

“What are you doing?”

What did she tell her? The truth. “Seeing how much Edward is selling the ranch for. How much he owes the bank. How much money he’s skimmed from the ranch accounts.”

Her mother gasped, her large eyes widening as her hand flew to her mouth. “No, we’re not selling.”

“We may have no choice,” she said, gazing at the paperwork.

She handed the audit to her mother who looked through the paperwork and cried. “This can’t be right.”

“I’m afraid it is,” she said, the realization that her wedding business could never haul them out of this kind of debt.

This was why Cameron was here attending a wedding. This was why he didn’t want her to hate him.

She’d been sleeping with the enemy and didn’t even know it.

CHAPTER 13

Cameron stepped into his house, so glad to be home. The Christmas lights had been welcoming as the limo pulled up into the Burnett Ranch and yet he couldn’t help but compare the two ranches.

Both had been in their families for generations. Both were not only ranches, but a place for people to visit. Both were run by people who were smart and competent. Well, maybe the Mistletoe Inn wedding venue was, but Edward didn’t know a damn thing about cattle ranching. That was obvious.

The image of Samantha came to mind as he set his suitcase down.

Had she learned the truth yet? Had Edward been honest with her and her mother? Or were they still in the dark? Did she completely despise him?

And he couldn’t blame her.

Why hadn’t he been honest with her? He should have told her the truth as soon as he learned what Edward was up to.

Cameron walked to the bar and poured himself a scotch and then he sank down in his favorite chair and resisted the urge to call Samantha and check on her. This morning when he left, thewedding had been canceled by Sterling and he couldn’t blame the man. Who wanted to promise forever to Francesca?

The woman was the absolute worst example of a bride he’d ever encountered.

The air filled with lavender.

Oh no. No. Just no. This was not the time.

An older woman in a blue dress appeared before him, shimmering in the air.

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