Chapter 4 #2
The air inside the makeshift office is still heavy with humidity from yesterday’s rain storm.
Even the breeze kicking up outside does little to help air out these old wooden walls that once housed the horses previous Bennetts marked as theirs.
After the second big barn was built, this smaller one was converted into a bit of a command center for the whole ranch, where we store file cabinets of records and keep the books on all our big transactions.
We also store a bunch of old furniture and equipment that’ve become an eye sore over the years.
I stare back and forth between my brothers from where I sit in my plastic chair. Both of them look like they want to throttle me.
“You’re not really thinking of marrying her?” Wells asks, eyes wide.
“We may not have a choice.”
“We’re the ones who actually have women in our lives,” he says pointedly. I scowl at him, and he winces. “You know what I mean.”
“These aren’t ideal circumstances for getting married, Wells,” I say. “Does Layla even want marriage? Have you guys talked about it before?”
I watch my baby brother look down into his lap, hesitating.
“See,” I say gently.
He frowns. “Her mom kind of fucked her up on marriage. I think she might be open to it someday, but . . .”
I lean forward. “I’m not going to ask you to risk your relationship. Layla is good for you. You two are so in love it’s gross. Don’t let something like this complicate it.”
Wells presses his lips together as he glances at Rhett.
Rhett’s cheeks burn pink, and I almost laugh. “I’m sure as shit not asking you, Rhett, so wipe that look off your face.”
Rhett’s brows pinch with a glower. “What, you don’t trust me to do what’s needed for this family?”
I sigh. “It’s not about trust or your commitment to the family. But you already put Olivia through the ringer with your little card game last month, and you two are too new for this. You really think a wedding is a good idea only a few weeks into a relationship? It’s not practical.”
“Better than a wedding between my very single brother and the fucking crazy ex-girlfriend he hasn’t seen in ten years.”
“She’s not crazy.” I shoot him a warning look.
“And I really don’t think it’s that bad.
” I hope they can’t hear the lie floating straight through my teeth.
“I got over her a long time ago. I honestly have no idea why she’s back in Saddlebrook Falls, nor do I really care.
But she’s a lawyer, she can help us navigate through all the paperwork with the inheritance trust, and she’s offered an arrangement that benefits us both. It feels like a win.”
“It feels like fraud,” Wells retorts, voice low. “I think you’ve done enough bending of the law lately, Kasey.”
It’s instant, the way the memory rips through me. The dim light of that old barn. The smell of gunpowder wafting as Maverick’s eyes flared. I push out a breath, shoving the image down. “It’s not fraud if you dipshits don’t say anything to anyone.”
Wells rolls his eyes. “That doesn’t make it not fraud, asshole.”
“Who else knows?” Rhett asks.
I turn my focus on him, finding his gray eyes calculating. “Only us three. And Ava.”
“You don’t think she’s going to tell anyone?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know why she would. Plus, she could probably be disbarred for it. She’s not going to risk her career.”
“What about Mom?” Wells asks. “What about Brooks?”
My shoulders slump. This is where things get tricky. “The last thing I want to do is lie to either of them. The family deserves the truth. I just have to navigate telling them carefully. If Sheriff Joe gets a whiff of this thing not being real, he’ll have no problem sending the wolves after me.”
Rhett snorts. “You think?”
I frown at him. “Despite what he thinks, I wasn’t the reason she left.” If anything, I tried like hell to be the reason she stayed—but I keep that portion of the thought to myself.
“Hopefully his daughter will handle him” is all he says back.
“Fuck,” Wells mutters, shaking his head.
“Look, I know it’s not the greatest idea,” I admit. “Ava’s always been a little—”
“Crazy,” Rhett interjects.
“Unpredictable,” I counter. “And it’s going to take some convincing that suddenly getting married after ten years apart isn’t for any reason other than wanting to be together—I know it won’t be easy.
But Huck is coming for us, fast and furious.
We don’t have time to beat him the right way.
If marrying Ava gives us a shot at deterring him until we can get a grip on the rest of it, then it’s worth it. I need you guys to support me on this.”
Rhett blows out a breath, crossing his arms over his wide chest. “What can we do?”
I shrug. “We want this town to believe it’s legitimate? Let ’em think they’re the ones uncovering the story.”
Wells grins. “You want to leak it.”
I nod. “Carefully. It can’t be obvious.”
“Olivia can let something loose at June’s,” Rhett offers.
“And Layla can spill it to her mom. Lynette will spread it fast.”
“You and Ava need to give people clues too,” Rhett says.
“Something for people to gnaw on. They’re probably already champing at the bit for the reason she’s back here after all this time—find a way to make it about you.
A date night in town. Maybe hold her hand out on the street.
Get caught behind a closed door.” He winks.
“There’ll be none of that,” I say firmly.
His grin is wolfish. “Why not? You two used to be pretty damn good at getting caught in all sorts of places. In fact, I remember you both getting caught beneath the bleachers during a fucking football game that you were supposed to be playing in.”
God, how could I forget? I’d been out of my damn mind.
“Yeah, well, that’s all over,” I say. “Died a long time ago.”
Rhett’s eyes soften and it throws me for a loop, seeing the proof of his calloused edges dulling.
The way he’s been leaning into his own vulnerability lately—no doubt the effect of new love in his life.
“I’m just saying, brother, I’m sure it won’t be hard for you and Ava to get the gossip train barreling right through the middle of town.
You’ve done it before. Probably like riding a bike. ”
Wells huffs a laugh. “Sheriff’s gonna wanna kill you all over again.”
“As long as he believes the lie.” I shrug. “Then I don’t care. Let him have at me.”
Just like that, Rhett’s gaze hardens.
Wells leans forward. “I’ll talk to Layla.” He stands to walk out of the office, probably heading to get ready for a shift at the bar.
“Thanks. I’ll see you in a few hours.” I look at Rhett again. “I know it’s not ideal . . .”
Rhett shakes his head. “I owe you a lot, Kasey. I’ll do whatever I can to help. Just be careful, okay? I remember how hard this was on you last time.”
I feign confusion. “What do you mean?”
His mouth presses into a thin line. “She ripped your fucking heart to shreds. It took you a long time to put it back together.”
“I’m not sure I ever did,” I admit, letting the facade crumble. “Haven’t been in love since. But that’s what’ll make it easier this time, I think.”
He frowns.
I force a smile. “I’ll be careful. Promise.”
His pale eyes watch me for a long moment, like he’s sifting through the words to find the trace of bullshit we both know’s there.
It makes me feel exposed in a way I don’t like—especially not with my brothers.
I need to keep a clear mind. Lead us all through.
“Let me know if her daddy gets too rough,” he finally says. “I’ve been itching for a little chaos.”
“Jesus, Rhett,” I grind out. “You’ve had enough trouble to last a lifetime. Be good, for fuck’s sake.”
His returning smile is dark and wicked.