Page 17 of Parading the Cowboy Billionaire (Bluegrass Ranch 4)

“Did you hear her say they were all billionaires?” Harvey said. “Cayden doesn’t need Ginny’s money.”

“Let her keep talking,” Drake said. “Tell us, Ginny. What did Mother say?”

She glanced at Harvey, her stomach a mess of nerves. “I’ll tell you, and then I need you guys to tell me what you think. If there’s any solution to this at all.Any.”

She had ideas in her own mind, and they included living further away from Mother so she wouldn’t know when Cayden came over. In short, Ginny wanted to have both Cayden and Sweet Rose. Depending on who she was with, one choice would win out over the other.

Her chest shook with her next breath. “She doesn’t like Julie Chappell, because she and Daddy had a relationship once.”

She continued with the story, feeling Harvey’s impatience and disgust growing. He had the hardest time with their father’s behavior, and it often bled into the other two boys as well.

“That’s it,” she said only a few minutes later. “She’s holding a grudge, and that’s why I can’t see Cayden.”

“That’s preposterous,” Drake said. “You should do what you want.”

“Mother is vindictive,” Elliot said. “Ginny’s right to be concerned and cautious. She really could lose everything.”

Ginny felt the weight of her decision down in her soul. “I don’t want to lose Sweet Rose.”

“You only would,” Harvey said slowly. “Ifweallowed it.” He gestured to the three of them sitting at the table.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“Mother won’t live forever, Ginny,” he said. “Let’s say she finds out about you and Cayden. She removes you from the will. Gives Sweet Rose to me.”

She picked up instantly where he was going. “It would only stay with you if you didn’t then turn it back over to me.”

“Precisely.” He sat up straight as their food arrived, and Ginny gazed at her farm-fresh salad, with bacon, avocados, craisins, balsamic vinaigrette, and ranch dressing. It was her favorite salad in the whole world, and her mouth watered.

She nudged her club soda out of the way and picked up her fork. “Would you do that, Harvey? Would all of you do that?”

“No one can run Sweet Rose the way you can, Ginny,” Elliot said. “I’m content with my role in the family company. I don’t want to own it.”

“Neither do I,” Drake said.

Harvey said nothing, and Ginny turned to look at him. “I think the cruelty and controlling aspect of our family needs to die with Mother,” he said quietly. “I think you deserve to be happy, and I’ve seen Mother drive at least three men out of your life that probably would’ve made you happy.”

Ginny’s eyes filled with tears again, but she blinked them back.

“If you want to date Cayden Chappell, and if he makes you happy, then Ginny, I’ll support that, and I’ll absolutely include you back in Sweet Rose after Mother passes.”

“Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank all of you.”

“It might be a bumpy road until then,” Elliot said. “You realize that, right, Ginny?”

She nodded, though she knew Mother was unpredictable and rash, and yes, cruel. She swallowed and kept nodding. “I know,” she said. “I sure do like this man, though, and I’ve already spoken to Drake about living in his country house.”

“Smart,” Harvey said. “Divorce yourself from as much of Mother’s control now, while you can.”

“That was my thought,” Ginny said, finally forking her way into the salad to get a bite of many things. “What do you think of trying to play both angles for a while?”

“What? Like, date Cayden but don’t tell Mother?” Drake asked, his eyes suddenly aglow.

“Yes,” Ginny said. “Tell her I’m choosing Sweet Rose, but really, I’m choosing Cayden.” She put a bite of the salad in her mouth, getting crunchy bacon and the perfect pop of brightness from the bit of red onion.

“Keep the relationship secret,” Harvey mused. “It’s not a bad idea.”

“Especially if you’re living off the block,” Elliot said. “I could see it working.”

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