He shoots us a grin over his shoulder completely oblivious to the storm brewing behind him.
Phern turns to me, planting her hand on her hip. Her sunglasses are perched low on her nose, but I can see the sharp glint in her hazel eyes, anyway.
“How bad was it when Uncle Carl showed up at the ranch?”
I swallow, forcing the words past the knot in my throat.
“Pretty bad,” I admit.
Phern’s jaw tightens.
“Did Liam show you the texts?”
I look down, shame creeping up my spine even though I have no reason to feel it.
“No,” I whisper.
Phern curses under her breath. “I wondered. You looked surprised.”
She hesitates again, then pulls out her phone with a sigh, opening the message thread. Without a word, she holds it out to me. I take it, my fingers trembling slightly as I scroll.
The texts slam into me like punches.
Uncle Carl, Sam, Liam, Phern
Now, you three better shape up. I’m the rightful owner of Stonewater and all of the land that comes with it.
I’m tired of being treated like an outsider.
Sam. Phern. What would your daddy and momma think of how you’re treating me?
They’re rolling in their graves knowing a Stone is not welcomed at the home they built.
Sam’s too busy breeding that horse… pardon… “woman” he married.
Phern’s too busy being a know-it-all.
And Liam. My pride and joy.
Wait. Strike that. More like the biggest disappointment in the world.
I’m honestly surprised Sam hasn’t taken control of Stonewater Rodeo Stock since Laim fucks up everything he touches.
And what in the hell is he doing with that fat thing that works for him? He can do so much better.
God knows he’s using her to make himself feel better.
Stop texting us or I swear to god I’ll find you myself and knock some sense into you!
I blink hard, willing the burning in my eyes to go away.
“Wow,” I murmur, my voice hollow. I hand the phone back to Phern, my hands suddenly cold. “No wonder Liam was so quiet after Carl left.”
Phern shoves her phone into her pocket with a snarl.
“I hate that man,” she growls. “I hate him with a goddamn passion. He better hope I don’t see him today.”
I force a shaky breath in, wiping at my face like it’ll erase the lingering ache.
