Page 56 of White Collar Rancher

“Yes. And I miss your face.” An idea popped into her head, and it sounded better and better the more she thought about. “I’m going to come visit you.”

Devya let out a delighted gasp. “When? I have a break in classes this summer.”

“Send me the dates. There’s no better way to use my vacation time.”

“Uh-huh. And if the hot sheep farmer finds his brains by then, bring him, too.”

The sadness she’d been trying to fight off rushed back. “It’ll just be me.”

“Mm-hmm. Either way, come see me. Just give me warning so I can clean before you get here. I made a deal with myself to not return until I can afford my own ticket back.”

“Then I’ll come out and visit as often as I can.” And she’d be by herself.

“You’re not going home all sad now, are you? I can’t let you do that.”

“You’re half a world away.”

“Convince me you’re going to do something for yourself.”

Devya and her “do something for yourself.” How often had she been right and Priya had been annoyed? “There’s this party. A fancy one.”

“Tell me more.”

Priya explained about Natasha, her ex, and the gala. “I was hoping I could go show Emmett what he’d missed, but I’m not feeling it.”

“One, he did miss out. Two, fake it until you make it.”

“Fine. I’ll go.” She’d go and live out the moment she’d fantasized about. Emmett would see the new Priya, the one who’d fought for her job and won. He didn’t have to know she’d fought for her man and lost.

But before she did anything for herself, she had a call to make. The sudden decision was too important for her to chicken out. She’d put it off so long, and because of it, the whole town had fallen for Dr. Bezos’s bullshit.

Okay, not the whole town. But enough that she had some spin control to do.

When Katherine answered, Priya jumped in. “Hi. It’s Priya. Can you meet me for a drink?”

The loud music irritated every last nerve, but it was better than the quiet at home. Isaiah made his share of noise, but he wasn’t the best conversationalist yet. And he was staying the night with his grandparents.

After sitting in his house for an hour with a glass of wine he hadn’t touched, he’d called Caleb. It was April and he’d thought the lambing season would take his mind off how badly he missed Priya. No. He was tired and cranky. Every morning this week, Brigit and Caleb had played paper-rock-scissors in front of him to decide who got to hang out inside with Isaiah and who had to deal with his crabby ass.

He shouldn’t run them off. Most days, they were the only adult interaction he got. Not that he wanted to talk to anyone else. He only wanted to talk to one person, but she hadn’t even texted since she’d left.

And if she had, what would he have said? I don’t care if you talk to me or not, just come back?

Not talking hadn’t worked out well last time.

Justin nursed his beer. Caleb was across from him, and he had just waved Lucas over. Lucas was a couple years older than them, but since he used to pal around with Aaron, who was married with kids now, Lucas palled around with anyone who’d have him.

Lucas set his foamy mug on the table and sat down. Looking at Caleb, he asked, “Bridge let you out of the house?”

Justin could answer for him. Brigit had probably told Caleb to try and cheer her brother up, or talk some sense into him. His sister bugged him at least once a week. Have you called her yet?

Why would I call her?

Because, as my brother, you get away with not saying much. You can’t do that with someone you care about.

He’d asked why she assumed it was him and not just her.

I’m your twin and you barely talk to me.

---