Page 41 of Brands

But my favorite cow is on the line.

Dad narrows his eyes. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You don’t need this responsibility. Go be a kid, live your life, have fun.” He waves his hand and turns away.

“I’m not a fucking child!” My voice climbs higher than I want it to. “I’m old enough to know what I want. I can do this. I’ve practically been running the barn for the last two years.” I might not know all the paperwork side of things, but I canlearn.

Blue can teach me.

A flush of heat works up my cheeks knowing he’s due back later today.

“I ain’t selling it to you, Lib. I refuse,” Dad growls, grabbing his keys. “They’re getting loaded up tomorrow. End of discussion.”

I want to scream, cry, kick. But I let my nails dig into my palms and force down the frustration that bites at the back of my throat.

“What if you’re throwing away my favorite thing?” I say quietly. “Is it so wrong to want to keep the dairy? I’m proud of what we’ve built, I don’t want it to just dry up and blow away.” God, I hate that my voice quivers.

He pauses with his palm on the handle of the door. “This place will suck all the fun out of your life, Lib. I don’t want that for you.”

The icy air rushes in when he leaves, only further chilling the cold that’s settled in my chest.

Collapsing onto the couch, I let cries loose that I managed to hold in check while he was here. “What the fuck am I going to do?” I ask the empty room.

Like some vague answer will manifest from the wood paneled walls and worn yellow shag carpet.

Before I realize it, I find myself wandering out to the office.

Maybe if I keep trying, I can prove to Dad that I can do this.

The leftover wine cooler that’s in the fridge goes down easy as I sort through more piles. It’s slow getting the information added to the database, but I’m finally feeling like I’m making progress when I hear the click of the door.

My heart races when I see Blue’s lanky form.

I want to say something funny. Snarky. Sexy.

Yet words fail me, and I find myself rushing to him and throwing my arms around his waist.

“Well, hello to you too,” he chuckles softly, rubbing his hot palms over my back.

Tears have returned by the time I look up at him. “He’s selling Millie.”

Blue’s brows knit. “I know, rebel. I’m sorry.” His thumbs frame my face and gently smoothes the droplets away.

“I don’t want to lose the farm.” I take a deep breath, then step back. “Am I just wasting my time? I mean, without it, I could run off to Italy for a vacation like Ford and April are planning.”

His mustache twitches. “Yes…you can. Gonna go by yourself?” The corners of his eyes crinkle.

My chin tilts as I squint at him. “Maybe? Bring back some hot young Italian who isn’t afraid to make me come whenever I want.” I turn, gesturing towards the paper piles all over the desk. “Someone who can do this part. It sucks.”

Blue keeps playing with me, he might miss his chance.

He’s been away for three days without a word after our hot as fuck make out session.

It makes a girl wonder where she stands.

His broad hands circle my waist and he presses his chest against my back. “Or maybe you could ride with me when I have to go up to Flathead for three days where there’s no cell phone service?”

Heat stampedes through me when I feel the bulge of his crotch between my ass cheeks.

“Big promises from a guy who said he didn’t want me.” I let my hand snake between us to grab his belt loop.

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