Page 53 of The Best Friend's Billionaire Brother
It wasn’t stuffy, but it was well-decorated. He could see little touches that he was sure Bear had a hand in. Dark wood bookcases lined the wall, with a desk to match. A set of chairs faced the window with a small table between them, and a few decanters sat on a buffet-style table that looked like it was an antique.
Bear crossed the room and took a seat in the other chair. “I like the study being away from the living room. I had the contractor give it a little extra soundproofing. It’s quiet, and I figured once the place is actually functioning as a working ranch again, I’ll need it.”
“I’m sure you will.” Wyatt set his ankle over his knee. “I’d like to talk to you about the orchard.”
“The orchard? Won’t you be going back on tour with the rodeo?“
Shaking his head, Wyatt let out a long breath. He’d gone back and forth about the orchard, trying to decide if he still wanted it. Then he’d come to the conclusion that he wasn’t going to let the ties to Gabby keep him from doing something he wanted. “No, I’m going to do one more ride to finish my eight seconds, and then I’ll hang up my saddle.”
Bear’s jaw hung open. “I never thought I’d hear those words come from your mouth.”
“Me either, but I want more out of life. I had fun with it when I was a kid, and I enjoyed the crowds and all that. Lately, I haven’t enjoyed it.” He’d figured that out over the last few days. Even if he was staying on the entire eight seconds and giving it his all, he still wasn’t satisfied.
“I thought you loved it.”
“I did, but I want more than eight seconds of glory. I want to build a life and a future. Something that I can pass down to my kids, something I can be proud of. I’m not knocking riders or the rodeo, but it’s just not what I want anymore.”
Bear rubbed his jaw with his knuckles. “Well, if your heart isn’t in it, then I agree.”
Wyatt smiled. “It’s not, and I’d like to purchase that orchard from you.”
“Aw, man, it’s yours. You can have it. I’ve got plenty of acreage.”
He figured his brother would say that. The only thing the money had changed for Bear so far was his address. Everything else about him was just as simple as it was before. “I know, but I want something that’s mine. Something I can share with someone.”
Shrugging, Bear said, “All right. I think we can do that. It’ll need to be after the holiday. I might be a billionaire, but I’m blue-collar smart. The holiday rate would be astronomical.”
Wyatt held his stomach as he belly-laughed. “I bet it would be.”
“What are your plans for the place?”
This part was what had kept Wyatt up the last few nights. It gave him an excitement about the future bull riding had never given him. But it also weighed on him because he’d hoped Gabby would be a part of it. He’d gone back and forth about whether he could go on with the plans without her. He’d been so close to telling her how he felt about her. After being so blind all those years, he hadn’t wanted her to have any doubts that he cared about her. But now none of that mattered. He hadn’t even had one real chance with her, and it was hard to let the dream go. He could do it, though.
As the sun gradually sank behind the horizon, Wyatt talked over his plans with Bear. During the talk, one by one, his brothers and then their dad joined them. It was an animated discussion about all aspects of it. The biggest issue was the house. Could it be salvaged? His dad seemed to think it could. Hunter disagreed. Wyatt hoped his dad was right, but he suspected Hunter knew what he was talking about since he was a house flipper.
He didn’t need Gabby to make that orchard more than just a house with some trees. All he needed was a healthy budget and time. Eventually, he’d see it as a home, and who knew, maybe he’d find someone to share his dreams with who wasn’t a liar.
His heart felt skewered with the very idea of someone besides Gabby standing hand in hand with him, making that plot of land a home. He forcefully shut the thoughts down. She’d lied. And once a liar, always a liar. He didn’t need that. What he needed was to move on. Something bigger and better was in store for him.
* * *
As Wyatt steppedout of his truck, the front door of the house opened. Carrie Anne stomped down the steps, pointing to the barn. “You. Me. Barn. Now!” By the looks of her, he was about to get the chewing of a lifetime.
“Why?” He’d just gotten back from looking at the orchard again. It was cold, and he’d planned on warming up with some coffee.
“We need to talk and now.”
“If it’s about Gabby, I don’t want to talk.”
His sister stopped inches from him and glared up at him. “Tough. We’re talking.”
He stepped back. “Carrie Anne, I’m in no mood to deal with you. She lied. End of story.”
“It was my idea.”
His sister’s idea? Gabby never said that. Whatever. “I don’t care. I still don’t want to talk.”
As he went to go around her, she caught him by the arm and stopped him. “You’ve broken her, Wyatt.”
