I started reading and brace myself for the worst.
But it’s not what I expect.
There’s no mention of the previous scandal that threatened to ruin my career. There’s no twist of words. No cheap shots.
Just truth.
She wrote about the horses and the work I do with them. She touched on the history of the ranch, but not in a way that highlights the harsh history of our bastard father. Instead, the focus is on us. My brothers and I, working to build Rock Creek Ranch into something we can be proud of for generations.
Every line is beautifully painted with Kali’s words.
By the time I reach the end, my throat’s tight.
Wyatt and Travis are both leaning against the barn wall, their arms crossed over their chests.
Travis is the first to speak. “Pretty impressive piece, huh?”
I nod once, unable to find words.
“Not the only ones who think so either,” Wyatt says. “The phone’s been ringing all morning.”
I lift a brow.
“Studios,” my brother tells me. “Horse buyers. Investors and even people looking for a dude ranch experience.”
I don’t answer. I can’t.
Because all I can see are her eyes, wet with tears. The way she begged me to believe her.
It’s not what it looks like. You have to believe me.
Goddam it.
I rub a hand over my face, shame burning through me. “I screwed up.”
Wyatt smirks. “You think?”
I stare at the article again, her name on the title. Kali Collins. I trace it with my thumb, heart pounding. She did it. She wrote a career-changing article. And it’s all factual. She didn’t screw me over. It was never about that.
“I screwed it up bad.”
Wyatt shrugs and glances at Trav, who only nods before he says, “So fix it.”
“Yeah.” I roll up the magazine and slap it against the stall once before moving toward the door. “That’s the plan.”
Kali
It’s been two months, but the city that’s always been my home still doesn’t feel right. It’s too loud. Too busy. There’s too much traffic. The grey rain that never seems to end. Everything feels toomuch.
Too fast.
Too many people.
And not one of them ishim.
Cash is still all I can think about. He consumes almost all of my waking thoughts. It was a miracle I was able to get the article written. But I did it. And I’ve never been more proud of something I’ve worked on.
I sip my tea, wishing it were coffee, and scroll through the comments under the article that went live two days ago.Rock Creek Ranch: The Heart Behind the Horses.
