I shook my head, trying to clear those thoughts. They were dangerous, always had been. Instead, I focused on the practical problems. Where would I live once the ranch was donated? How would I make money? The only thing I knew was ranching and cattle and hard work. I wasn’t sure I had it in me to work for someone else. And what would happen to Evelyn? To the team I’d built and trusted to run this place?
My father had hurt them too. I wondered if he considered that before he wrote that stupid will…
As I crested the small hill that gave me a view of the main house, I stopped cold. There was an unfamiliar car parked out front. My eyes focused and I realized I’d seen it somewhere before, outside the lawyer’s office.
It was Jesse’s rental.
“Son of a bitch,” I muttered.
He was supposed to be at the hotel in town. I wasn’t ready for this confrontation, not yet, and definitely not this fucking early in the morning. But there he was, already making himself at home.
I considered turning around, heading to the south pasture instead to check on that pregnant heifer. But no. This was my ranch for the moment. I wasn’t going to hide from Jesse Harris on my own damn property.
Setting my jaw, I continued down the path toward the house, my boots leaving deep impressions in the soft earth. Each step felt heavier than the last, like I was walking toward an execution rather than breakfast.
The smell of coffee and bacon greeted me before I even reached the porch. Evelyn was cooking up a storm, which only meant one thing. She was happy to see Jesse. Of course she was. She’d always had a soft spot for him. Even so, it felt like a betrayal.
I paused at the bottom of the porch steps, drawing in a deep breath. I didn’t know why Jesse was here and I certainly wasn’t going to entertain some foolishness about him living here for a year. Whatever he wanted, he could say his piece and fuck off. I didn’t owe him shit. As much as it made my heart hurt, I didn’t care. I wanted himgone.
I pushed open the door, the familiar creak like a warning bell. The kitchen was warm and bright, filled with the scent of home that I’d tried so hard to forget. And there he was, sitting at the table like he belonged there, a steaming mug between his hands. I paused for a moment to hang my hat on the hook by the door. Jesse looked up when I walked into the kitchen, those hazel eyes meeting mine for a split second before darting away.
“Morning, Cole,” Evelyn said cheerfully, flipping bacon in the cast-iron skillet. “Coffee’s fresh.”
I grunted in response, not trusting myself to speak as I moved to the coffeepot, keeping my back to Jesse. The silence in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.
“Mornin’,” Jesse finally offered, his voice cautious.
I poured my coffee slowly, watching the dark liquid fill my mug, buying time before I had to turn around and face him. But that procrastination lasted for only a fleeting moment. Eventually, I had no choice but to face him.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice low and controlled despite the anger simmering beneath.
“I think that’s obvious,” he replied nonchalantly. “I’m staying.”
I turned then, leaning against the counter and taking a deliberate sip of my coffee. “For how long? Until you get bored? Until something better comes along?”
Jesse’s jaw tightened. “For the year. Like Dad wanted.”
“Don’t call him that,” I snapped automatically.
“Boys,” Evelyn warned, spatula raised like a weapon. “Not at my breakfast table.”
I glared at her, feeling betrayed all over again. “You’re taking his side? After everything?”
“I’m not taking sides,” she said firmly. “I’m making breakfast. And you two are going to sit down and eat it like civilized human beings.”
Jesse had the audacity to smirk at that, and I wanted nothing more than to wipe that look off his face with my fist. But Evelyn was the law in this kitchen. If she said this wasn’t the time or place, then that’s how it was.
“Fine,” I muttered, dropping into the chair furthest from Jesse. “But this doesn’t change anything. I haven’t agreed to this arrangement.”
“Neither have I,” Jesse said, surprising me. “Not officially. But I’m here, aren’t I?”
I studied him over the rim of my mug. He looked tired, with dark circles under his eyes and tension in his shoulders. Good. He should be uncomfortable. He didn’t belong here anymore.
“Why?” I asked bluntly. “You made it clear yesterday you didn’t want anything to do with the ranch. What changed?”
Jesse stared into his coffee. “I couldn’t just walk away. Not when it meant you’d lose everything too.”
I let out a harsh laugh. “Right. Saint Jesse, here to save the day.”
