Page 50 of Tempting Wyatt
My mood is as black as my shirt by the time it’s all said and done.
“I told Caleb we’d wait for him by his trailer,” Isaac informs me as I’m finishing up the paperwork on the sale.
My molars grind together.
“I’m in no mood for Caleb. This shit”—I wave my hand toward the arena—“is going to get him killed. Or, my luck, injured within an inch of his life until we have to sell the ranch to pay his medical bills.”
It’s a dick thing to say, and I know it the minute it’s out of my mouth. But Ivy’s surprised expression cuts me deeper than my own regret. If anything happened to any of my siblings, I’d sell my soul to help them. But, damn, Caleb sure knows how to push everything to the limit. Me mostly.
My chest constricts, and I think about Dad. I’m probably well on my way to a heart attack before thirty-five at this rate.Between everything on the ranch falling the fuck apart, Asher serving overseas, and Caleb riding these murderous beasts, my blood pressure is sky high. Throw Isaac hitting on the one woman who gets under my skin into the mix, and I’m a walking cardiac emergency.
I’m attempting to calm my rising heart rate when Caleb saunters over, sweat-covered, still in his chaps, with a smirk on his face. A few buckle bunnies linger in his wake, watching him with hungry eyes.
He’s grinning like a maniac by the time he reaches us. “Well, what’d you think?”
“I think you’re a fucking idiot, little brother,” I snap through gritted teeth. “What the hell are you thinking, Caleb?”
The hurt flashes across his face, and for a moment, I remember when he was about six or so and tried to jump off the rope swing at the summit. Because Isaac and I had done it. He broke his collarbone. But he’s not a little boy anymore, and that hurt quickly flashes to anger.
“I’m thinking this, Wyatt. Here.” He thrusts a small rectangular piece of paper toward me.
I glance down. It’s a check. Sighing, I take it and read who it’s made out to. Him. And it’s for ten grand.
Ivy and Isaac watch the exchange like a tennis match.
“That’s fantastic,” I tell him. “You’ve decided your entire life—or at least the ability to walk—is worth ten grand to you.”
“The ten grand is for you, you dick,” he bites out. “For the ranch. To put toward my debt.”
My jaw flexes. I try to hand him the check back and he holds his hands up, refusing to take it.
“Don’t act like you’re doing me a fucking favor. This willbarely make a dent, Caleb. And even if it would, it’s not worth what you’re out here risking.”
Unwilling—or hell, maybe unable—to continue this conversation any longer, I storm back to the truck without waiting for Ivy or Isaac. Angry storm clouds swirl in my chest, and I don’t know what the hell I’ll do if I have to watch their bullshit flirting for another hour.
I text Isaac that they can enjoy the fair and ride back with Antonio.
Because much like these bulls, I’m fit to be fucking tied.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ivy
WHEN WE GET BACK to the ranch, Antonio drops Isaac and me at the main house. Isaac doesn’t offer to let me drive the side-by-side as we climb inside and I don’t ask.
He hasn’t said much about Wyatt’s abrupt exit, just that he’d cool off eventually. Caleb had been friendly but solemn afterward. We’d wisely skipped the fair.
By the time Isaac delivers me to my cabin, I’m beginning to wonder if Wyatt Logan is allergic to fun. He appears to avoid it at all costs.
I tell Isaac good night and remain on the porch enjoying the fresh air and night sky. After Isaac drops off the side-by-side, I notice that the light remains on in the barn.
It’s chilly enough that I pull my light jacket tighter around me, but I can’t resist checking to see if my grumpy rancher is in the barn.
He isn’t. But out of the corner of my eye, I catch the shadow of him by the stables.
Without taking time to talk myself out of what is likely to be an unpleasant interaction, I stride that direction withno clue what I’m going to say. The odd urge to apologize irritates me. I don’t have anything to be sorry for. But knowing Wyatt is upset is bothering me more than it should.
I barely know the man so I’m not sure why I care.
