Page 75 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“It’s easy. Divide the hair into three strands and cross one over the other. Keep crossing over until you reach the end.”
I tried, and I could do it after a couple of false starts. “It’s not your usual, but it looks okay.”
He stood and turned to me. “Thanks, babe.” He tugged my chin and kissed me. “I’m sure it’s perfect. Let’s go see about breakfast.”
Naked, I followed a naked Wyl into the kitchen.
With the coffee started, I got out the ingredients for a festive omelet. “What do you want to do today?”
Wyl sat at the breakfast bar. “I want to hang out with you. We need to do our daily rounds with our horses and check with Felipe about anything on our ranch needing our attention.”
“Our ranch?”
Wyl nodded. “We are Sterlings, and it’s only you and me. So yeah…I want you to feel at home here.”
“I felt at home here the moment we got back together. Walt was comfortable around us as…what…boyfriends?”
Wyl paused. I could tell he was pondering over something.
“Say it, Wyl.”
He gazed at me and took my hand. “He never said, but I think he thought of us as lovers. While he didn’t encourage the PDAs in front of him, you said he gave you a salute when he saw us in bed together.”
“Yeah. Something I’ll never forget.” Emotion burned my eyes at the memory.
“I haven’t said this since Walt’s accident. Too caught up in my own grief, I guess. But you need to know I love you, Rod. Your love kept me going when I wanted to lie down and die next to Walt.”
Something about the way he said it gave love an extra meaning. The past couple of weeks taught us that our passion endured and remained strong. “I love you too, Wyl Sterling. Now and forever.”
Our tender moment vanished at a loud, rapid knocking on the door.
Chapter Thirty-Six
WYL
“Who the fuck?” I eyed our naked bodies. “Shit. Clothes.”
“Bedroom,” Rod said.
We jogged down the hall as the loud knocking echoed through the house again. Our bare feet slapped against the cool tile floor as we hurried back into the den, dressed in jeans and tees. Rod took a stool at the breakfast bar as I opened the door.
Mitzi barged into the house, shoving me with her elbow. “Outta my way!”
I scowled. “Mitzi. What are you doing here?” I rubbed my chest where her elbow landed.
“Claiming my fucking ranch.” She twirled around to face me, arms across her stomach and under her ample bosoms. “According to my attorney, the divorce settlement is questionable. Walt hid assets. Walt’s estate should go to me.”
“And how did your attorney arrive at his conclusion?” I stayed by the open door, mirroring her arm-crossing. This bitch would not snow me.
“I showed him the divorce papers.”
“And the prenup?”
“Of course. My attorney says neither the prenup nor the divorce papers disclosed Walt’s true net worth, and if the divorce is not valid, the ranch goes to his wife.” She thumbed her chest. “Me.”
I shook my head. “Knock yourself out, Mitzi. You’ll end up without this ranch and deep in debt to your misguided attorney. You signed the prenup, and you accepted the divorce settlement. You have no claim.”
Mitzi narrowed her eyes and pointed a manicured, crimson-nailed index finger at me. “If you and your small-town lawyer think you can pull the wool over my eyes, think again. This ranch should be mine!” Clenched teeth fogged her words. She scanned the room, stopping at Rod. “I see your little one-man support group is here.”
