Page 50 of A Jilted Bride for the Cowboy

Her father sighed heavily. “Of course, we do. You aren’t giving us anything to work with here, Cadence. We have affairs to set in order at home.”

She eyed him. “Have you been gambling?”

He reared back, his eyes narrowing on her. “What made you think of that?”

It had been a shot in the dark, but a few random memories had coalesced into something that made sense. “Have you?”

Ramrod stiff, Mom stared down at the hands clenched in her lap.

“How I manage my business is none of yours.”

“Except, you’ve made it my business by gambling on me.”

Mom’s shoulders quivered.

Maybe she was the one who’d been indiscreet? Who’d gotten their finances in a twist? “When you get home, please make copies of the invoices you’d like me to help with, and I’ll do the best I can as soon as possible.”

“Too little, too late.” Dad’s hand sliced through the air. “We need for all this to go away. We need you married to Paul weeks ago. Be thankful he’s sorry for breaking things off and is willing to reconsider.”

“Because you’ve got him over the same barrel you’ve got me. How did this issue with Bradley Consortium become a problem for your kids’ generation?” If only she could wipe away the guilt of her part in their financial difficulties. If only they hadn’t laid out so much for her wedding. She hadn’t asked for it — not much, anyway — but it was still her problem.

Would Walter Sullivan loan her the money she needed? She might be working for him forever to repay him, but that had to be better than dealing with her parents.

She could ask him. She just needed numbers.

Numbers went through the accounting department. Graham saw every single one of them. Logged them into tidy columns.

Maybe she could ask Mr. Sullivan to keep their discussion private. He was astute. He’d understand.

Because Graham would probably think the solution would be to marry her and save her from her poor choices. From her parents’ poor choices.

Being married to Graham would be amazing, but not because he felt sorry for her. She’d been running from one difficulty to another ever since that June evening, while Graham patiently stood by, extricating her from the results, time and time again.

To let him rescue her once more was no better than marrying Paul. Oh, Graham was a way nicer guy, but he deserved better. He deserved a woman who could come to marriage as an equal, not as a project.

Maybe one day that would be her, but not right now. Not when it seemed she stood on quicksand and anyone standing with her was destined to sink along with her.

Chapter Fourteen

Dad skewered Graham with a look. “What is this nonsense about clapping?”

Graham blinked. “Clapping?”

“You know. The treehouses and wagons.” Dad shook his head “I haven’t heard anything more ridiculous in a long time.”

“The word is glamping, a blend between glamorous and camping.”

“What’s glamorous about not having an ensuite?”

“The glamor comes from the rest of it. It’s honestly a thing people are looking for in a vacation.”

“It’s dumb.”

“It’s a way for Sweet River Ranch to stand out and lure in tourists who are looking for something a little bit different than a lakeside cottage or lodge that offers horseback riding.”

“There’s already a campground. Some people even sleep in tents.”

When had Dad become so snooty? Perhaps he always had been. Perhaps Graham had been the same, but working at the ranch with a wide variety of staff and visitors, most of them not as privileged as he was, had opened his eyes. At least a bit.

---