Page 66 of A Jilted Bride for the Cowboy

Third time was the charm, right? No one would ever have to know it was him who bought their house. Though what could he do with it anonymously? Maybe hiding behind a business name…

Was it better to be upfront? Was it better not to make a move at all? How could he sit here, knowing he could make the difference, and not do anything? He couldn’t live with himself.

Graham rubbed his hands through his hair, bumping his glasses askew. He’d spent so much time in the office lately that his eyes burned from the contact lenses. Also, there was no one to impress. No one cared.

A tap sounded and the office door opened.

Graham pivoted his chair toward it. Grandfather rarely spent the evening in here these days. Seemed Tate had convinced the old man to keep reasonable office hours.

Bryce stuck his head around. “Hey, it’s you.”

“Uh… yes? Who were you expecting?”

“I was hoping to talk to Grandfather.”

“About?” Sheesh, now Graham sounded like the boss’s secretary.

“Personal stuff.” Bryce eyed him. “What are you doing here so late? A problem with the accounts the rest of us should know about?”

“No, everything’s okay.”

“Then, why?” Bryce waved his hand. “I thought Tate made sure things were locked down by five-thirty these days. I saw the light from outside and thought maybe Grandfather was in here. Didn’t expect you.”

“Well, it’s me. I’m analyzing some real estate in Chicago.”

Bryce’s eyebrows shot up. “Buying a place and moving back so soon? I didn’t know any of us had been released.”

Graham leaned back in his chair. “Considering options, is all. One of these days he’ll have to relent, right? I can easily do all this from back home. He doesn’t need me here.”

“He doesn’t need me, either. Anyone could keep up the landscaping.” His cousin grimaced. “Still, I hate to say it, but this place is growing on me. Max and I have been riding pretty regularly. Never thought I’d think it was fun.”

Graham had ridden twice. Once with Tate and Stephanie, and once with Cadence. The day they’d acknowledged some feelings. The day he’d begun to stick his neck out and started the process of failing once again.

“You been riding?”

“Uh, not much. Not my thing.”

“There are fewer bugs this time of year. Fewer reptiles.”

Graham tried to still his suddenly pounding heart. “You’ve seen snakes?”

“Yeah, a few times, up on a hot rock on a sunny day.”

“You’ve succeeded in reminding me why I love indoors so much.”

Bryce laughed. “I get it, man. But the outdoors is pretty great, too. We’ve learned to watch out for critters and give them a wide berth. Thankfully there aren’t too many in this area.”

“And then there are mountain lions and bears.” Hopefully Graham had kept his trepidation out of his voice.

“We’ve seen a few bears, too. Blacks, Weston says, from the photos Maxwell snapped. Weston says they’re more afraid of us than we are of them, and just to treat them with respect. And never come between a sow and her cubs.”

“Like any mama, I guess.” Except maybe his own. Graham’s mother had always been too busy in the office to be a mommy. Seeing Stephanie step into that role with Jamie made Graham’s heart hurt even more for the little boy he’d been himself. His own nanny had certainly never loved him like that.

Maybe it was Graham. Maybe he was unlovable.

God loved him. Right? Right. But then, why did no one else?

“Yeah,” Bryce agreed.

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