Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 114263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
“Don’t forget Mom’s ring is still in the safe,” he continues. “If you wanted to give it to Mollie.”
What would Mollie think of Mom’s tiny diamond on its unassuming gold band? Would she laugh at it? Or would she love it?
“Putting a ring on her finger doesn’t solve our problems.” I glance at the Rover. Should I turn it on and get the AC going so Mollie doesn’t get hot? It’s warm out here. “Mollie’s got a whole company in Dallas. And she’s close with her mom.”
Wyatt slowly nods. “Right. And you have two hundred fifty thousand acres of land at your disposal. Room enough for her company and whatever family y’all patch together.”
I cut him a look. “Aubrey sure as hell ain’t coming back to the ranch.”
“Just sayin’.” He holds up his hands. “You don’t have to be nervous about meeting her people, you know.”
“I’m not nervous.”
He just laughs. “You’re gonna be the fish out of water this time. And from what Garrett told us, Aubrey isn’t going to take kindly to a cowboy. Least of all one who’s dating her daughter.”
“I’m not wearin’ my hat.” I smile at him.
He smiles back. “But you’re bringing it with you. And you still got the Wranglers. And the farmer’s tan. It’s the mustache, though, that’s the dead giveaway.”
“Mollie likes it.” I splay my thumb and forefinger across the hair on my upper lip. “It stays, no matter what her mama thinks.”
“See? You’re charming when you wanna be. You’re treating Mollie right. You know what you want. Who you are. You work harder than anyone I know. If Aubrey ain’t impressed…” Wyatt lets out a low whistle. “Who cares?”
“Mollie does.” My heart lifts when I see the front door open. “Which means I do too.”
Her face breaks into a smile when she sees Wyatt and me. She looks gorgeous in a long, checkered sundress that dances around her legs as she moves. She’s wearing her jewelry and heels and a pair of enormous black sunglasses.
She’d look every inch the spoiled heiress if it weren’t for her farmer’s tan. Can’t help but smile when I take in the lines on her chest and arms.
She’s a city girl. But she’s also a cowgirl now too. No way I can let her leave that part of her behind again. There’s also no way I can ask her to abandon her life in Dallas.
“Just remember,” Wyatt murmurs as he waves at Mollie, “where there’s a will, there’s a goddamn way.”
I turn to stare at him, taken aback by the casual way he can read me like a book. Part of me is annoyed I’m that transparent. Another part likes the fact that my brother knows me so well.
I’ve broken my back to keep our family together. Nice to know my work’s paid off. I know so many people who are estranged from their own families. Garrett. Mollie. It’s rare—special—that not only do my brothers and I love each other, but we like each other too.
Which is exactly why I can’t tear myself away from this place. But if I did get away more often—if, say, I had to accompany Mollie to Dallas a couple of times a month—my brothers would cover for me. They’re not going anywhere.
I just have to show Mollie—and her mom too—that I’m willing to compromise so that my girl and I don’t have to sacrifice our dreams to be together. We all deserve a happy ending.
I won’t get mine unless Mollie’s in it.
CHAPTER 30
Mollie
SEX AND THE CITY
I never thought my seven-hundred-square-foot condo was small until Cash Rivers walked into it.
Standing inside the kitchen in his Wranglers and Lucchese boots, he looks like a giant. A very handsome, very scruffy giant who I’m struggling not to climb like a tree right now.
He sets down our bags and looks around. “This is nice, Mollie.”
“Thanks.” I watch his face as his gaze moves over the open space of the kitchen and living room. “It’s my cute little bachelorette pad.”
“It’s you.” His eyes meet mine and he grins. “I like it.”
The full feeling in my chest spills over. Of course Cash likes it. Of course he’s not intimidated or put off by it. He’s secure in who he is.
Makes me realize how insecure the other men in my life have been. Men like Palmer.
City lights are coming alive outside the windows. The summer haze has cleared, and while I can’t see any stars, the sky is wide open, dusky blue, edged with the pale orange of the sunset.
It’s a pretty view. Granted, it doesn’t compare with sunsets on the ranch. Few, if any, places do.
We went right to the office of Mom’s legal team when we arrived in Dallas earlier this afternoon. Cash sat beside me for all three hours it took to go through everything and sign the necessary documents. The team doesn’t typically work on Saturdays, but they made an exception for me.