Page 131 of The Mountain Echoes

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Tomorrow, we’ll roll into Gunnison at dawn.

If we sell well, which we damn well better, we pay off the taxesandhave enough to build. We can get through the summer.

We keep Longhorn.

I get another season.

And maybe that’s all life is—one season at a time.

I reach the paddock gate and rest my hands on the top rail, breathing in the quiet.

There was a time when I was fourteen or fifteen, that I’d stand in this exact spot and believeI’d grow old here. I’d raise horses. Plant more apricots. Get married and have kids running around in boots and dusty jeans.

And then everything broke.

But I’m not that girl anymore.I’m a woman who’s walked through fire and didn’t burn down.

I won’t run again.

I won’t let him or anyone take this from me.

I’ll sell this herd.I’ll save this ranch.

And Maverick Kincaid can go fuck himself.

CHAPTER 30

maverick

Iam not looking forward to telling Aria about Wes and Celine.

This is going to be a clusterfuck.

I amble up to the paddock, where the trailers are lined up like warhorses, gleaming and ready.

I spot Tomas near the hitch on the second trailer, tightening something down.

He looks up when he sees me.

“She’s by the first trailer,” he says, not needing to ask why I’m there. “But I’ll tell you straight, Mav—she’s in a mood. Been like a damn ghost all afternoon. Snappin’ and silent, like someone set her soul on fire.”

“Thanks,” I say, jaw tight.

“Just…don’t make it worse.” Tomas pats the metal rim.

I find her crouched near the wheel well, checking the bolts, her fingers moving like she’s been doing this her whole life.

Dust smudges her cheek, and her braid’s starting to fray. She looks like she’s running on instinct alone.

“Aria,” I say quietly.

She doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t look up. “I’m busy.”

I frown. Something is wrong. “Darlin’—”

“Oh, stop with that.” She throws the wrench she’s holding on the ground with force.

She stands and looks at me. Her eyes are tired. Wounded.

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