Page 90 of A Reckless Memory

He ignored my answer. “You sold Shrek two days after Dr. Jake cleared him.”

“Time is money on a rescue, Ansen. I’m not the one getting millions in my account,” I snapped. Shit. I hadn’t meant to go there. Yet his windfall sawed through my mind. It wasn’t that he was the target of Daddy’s admiration—though that still hurt. Ansen would get the money, and he’d realize the world was wide open to him.

His lips were set in an I knew it pattern. “I’m not either. It could take months to get the payout—and that doesn’t mean I’m leaving.”

It didn’t mean he was staying.

Cody had blown up my phone for two days after I’d returned home, and I firmly told him I was staying out of it. Daddy hadn’t wanted me involved, or I would’ve been factored into his last thoughts.

Austen had gone back to California and sent me a funny meme once a week. He must be worried about me. Wilder asked Sutton about me based on her messages.

Sutton: Wilder wants to know if “that jackass” has left town yet.

Sutton: Wilder wants to know if Ansen’s bought a new truck yet—that was the first sign last time.

Sutton: Wilder wants to make sure you’re doing okay because he knows I won’t tell him.

It would almost be sweet if Wilder wasn’t nudging against my real fears.

Eliot spaced me out like usual. He was probably working with Cody to get the money free of the trust’s constraints and Ansen.

“Months, huh?” I aimed for light, but my tone matched the shadows we stood in. I wandered to the edge of the fenced enclosure where the sun’s rays still touched.

“Maybe sooner since Barnaby had his shit together.”

I stuffed my hands in the pockets of the old coat I’d grabbed from the ranch. It was heavy, well-used, and warmer than any I owned. I wanted to be prepared to work in the cold. I’d also packed all my old boots, hats, and other coats. The rest of the clothing I’d either thrown out or donated. When I’d gotten out to my pickup, I found Eliot had already loaded all the tack I had used as a kid. I hadn’t seen him before I left, but I knew it was his way to take some control over his circumstances. Whatever wasn’t in the will, Eliot would damn well make the decisions for.

Selling Shrek had helped me purchase the extra supplies needed to house and feed the ducks without dipping into the reserves I had set aside. Business was happening on the rescue, but until I sold Skinny or Gingerbread, I couldn’t take any more.

Ansen crossed to me and put his hands on my shoulders. “Aggie, I thought we talked about this.”

“We did, and you still haven’t said what you’ll do.”

“Because I’m not countin’ my chickens before they’re hatched. You’ve heard of that, right?”

“Everyone has,” I said, cranky. Upset that he couldn’t or wouldn’t answer. “You won’t even play the what-if game. What am I supposed to think?”

“That I’m not a douchebag who’ll run out on you as soon as I get some cash in hand.”

I gave him a steady look. It was more than some cash, and he knew it. He’d said it last time. Life-changing money.

And again, my life wasn’t changing.

His breath gusted out of him on a cloud. “Maybe I’ll buy the half section across from you and open my training business.”

A tiny tendril of hope curled around my heart. “You hate the winter.” All the places he’d worked had milder winters than Montana and North Dakota.

“I don’t like it. Does anyone?”

The hope incinerated. “I love it here, and this is my home.” There. I said it. We’d danced around this topic, and while I thought he knew my stance, I hadn’t said it out loud since he hadn’t been talking. “I built this place to be my forever home. And you’ve been dreaming of returning to Texas since you left. Admit it.”

His brows drew together, and I finally had to confess to myself he’d been right all those years ago. He didn’t lie to me. He wouldn’t speak if what the other person wanted to hear was a lie. “I can’t deny that I want to go home. My dad’s there, and it’d be a perfect place to set up shop with the rodeo culture there.” He peered into my eyes. “And you’re telling me you won’t leave Crocus Valley—for any reason?”

Drawing in a breath grew difficult. I knew it. He’d been wondering—because he didn’t want to make his home here. I’d been willing to leave with him before. Just like I’d been willing to stick around the ranch for no other reason than Daddy wanted me there. “My home is here.” Everything I have and had worked for was here.

His gaze shuttered, and he dropped his hold on me. “Is this your way of leaving without going anywhere?”

“What?”

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