Page 38 of Not Over You (Prosperity Ranch 3)

Knox rubbed a hand over his face. When it all came down to it, he didn’t hate his brother, either. “Good to know.”

The edge of Holt’s mouth lifted. “Now, let’s figure this out. If you didn’t tell Jana, and she never brought it up, do you think she knows?”

Knox returned to his seat. “I don’t know. She seems pretty busy, and well…” His voice trailed off. Was Jana’s reluctance to date him tied to the fact that her father was undercutting his brother?

No… But the question wouldn’t leave his mind. Even if Jana knew about it, what did that mean? She might not even understand the full scope of the issue this brought to Prosperity Ranch. The grant had quite literally saved the ranch from having to sell off pieces of property.

“I’m going to make calls on Monday morning,” Holt said. “Maybe it’s not as grim as it looks, but I’m not holding out much hope. Unless we can magically find a volunteer vet.”

Knox scoffed. “That doesn’t make sense. What vet would do such a thing? Unless he had some other incentive going?”

Holt puffed out a breath. “I don’t know. You got me there. Maybe Lane will know which direction we can go.”

Knox didn’t miss the “we” in Holt’s statement. Was his brother finally including him in something to do with the ranch? Yeah, Knox had blown his portion, but he wanted to pay back everything he’d borrowed from his brother, then begin the process of investing. If he kept winning bull-riding events and living frugally, he’d eventually get there. “Let me talk to Jana, see what she knows,” he said. “Maybe I can even talk to Judd Harris.”

Holt’s brows raised. “Could you? I mean, I have no problem calling up Judd Harris, but the conversation isn’t going to be friendly.”

“And we can probably catch more flies with honey,” Knox said.

“That’s right.” Holt leaned back in his chair, the lines about his eyes relaxing. “Thanks, man. Maybe it can be salvaged after all. I don’t know how, but it’s better than doing nothing.”

Knox nodded. “No problem.”

Silence fell between the two brothers. When Holt finally spoke up, he said, “Look, I’m sorry about accusing you. I’m just frustrated. I can see you’ve worked really hard at some personal stuff. It’s obvious to all of us—the whole family.”

“Thanks,” Knox said in a quiet voice.

“Ruby thinks you walk on water, you know,” Holt said, a half-smile on his face.

“Yeah, I don’t know if I can ever live up to who she thinks I am.” Knox rubbed his palms over his knees. “When she looks at me like I’m her world, I don’t know whether to be proud, or discouraged.”

Holt gazed at him for a second, then lowered his eyes. “I think we’ve all had a lot to learn as a family, and hopefully, things will only get better from here.”

“I hope so, too.”

Holt’s smile appeared. “Hey, maybe you’ll be the one to save the ranch after all.”

Knox chuckled. “That’ll be the day. Don’t let anyone hold their breath.” He rose to his feet, and Holt rose, too.

This time, instead of almost getting into a fistfight, they shook hands.

“Keep me posted,” Holt said.

“Will do.” Knox released his hand and turned to go.

Before Knox reached the outer barn door, Holt said, “Good luck with Jana, too. Despite all this stuff, I’m glad you’re seeing her.”

Knox looked over at his brother with surprise. “Really?”

Holt lifted a shoulder. “Yeah. I always wondered why you guys didn’t stay together.”

Knox nodded. “It’s complicated. But we talked through a few things, so…” He didn’t finish, because he didn’t really know how to define their relationship. If Jana didn’t come to San Antonio, then he wasn’t sure when he’d see her again.

“Good luck at tomorrow’s rodeo,” Holt said.

Knox left then. His mind pulled in different directions. The rodeo in San Antonio was the least of his concerns. He’d hate to see his family’s ranch put in financial straits again. And what was the deal with Judd Harris and RD & Associates? Did Jana know anything about the boards her father sat on?

Knox didn’t want to believe she did, but how could he really be one hundred percent sure? How well did he really know Jana? All of their interactions had been mostly flirtatious. By the time he climbed back into his truck and was on the road to San Antonio, he was wondering if he’d imagined the closeness he’d felt with Jana. Perhaps, it was just old memories that had resurfaced. The desire to go back in time, to a period in his life that held way fewer complications.

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