“Nah, I told him we weren’t interested and never would be. I made it crystal clear he was wasting his time. We’ll only have to worry if they actually manage to pressure any of the surrounding ranches into selling to them. Once they get their hands on one ranch, they’ll think they have the upper hand. Still, we have the most acreage. We’re the big get.”
She pauses, tapping a manicured finger on the table. She doesn’t want to say whatever it is she’s holding back. My instinct is to take her hand or rub her back, but with all eyes on her my only option is to press my thigh against hers under the table. She lets her leg rest again mine, continuing the contact as she exhales.
“The thing is, he didn't give me the vibe that they use lawyers to get what they want. He gave me gangster vibes. I have a bad feeling about all of this. I don’t think they’re used to taking no for an answer. He emailed the next day to remind me of his offer and that the next one wouldn’t be so nice.”
“You’ve watched too many movies, little sister,” Angus chimes in from across the table.
Daisy’s intuition is right on, but I don't say that. If Daisy knew I had intervened, she would be far from pleased. But she has good intuition. There was an edge to the man.
It’s Sharon who chimes in next. “It’s not the first time big shots have waved their money in front of us. But your father and I always dreamed of this ranch being passed down to future generations. Eventually, it will belong to all of you. It’s as much your decision as it is mine. If the four of you want to sell, it’s your choice to make.”
“This is your home,” Cal states firmly.
“You can’t be serious?” Daisy implores.
“We’re not for sale!” Angus huffs, standing from the table.
But Knox stays silent. His wheels are turning. Working out a solution in his mind. Likely, because he’s the only one with the money and lawyers to combat the problem.
“It’s a lot of work, kids. You may change your mind,” Sharon says, defending her statement. “Angus and Mia, you live on this land. It’s yours too. And Cal, you have a home here as well. You may not live in it, but it’s yours, as is the land it sits on.”
Sharon’s referring to the house Cal built and lived in with his first wife. He found her mid-fuck with his cousin in that same house and has refused to live in it since.
It’s Daisy who replies. “Mom, they want to destroy the land. We could never let that happen.”
“Alright, everyone settle down. I just wanted you all to know that we decide things together. As a family.”
Cal’s eyes sweep over each person at the table one by one before addressing the group. “So, we’re all in agreement that McKinnon Ranch is not for sale, right?”
Ryan, Charlie, Mia, and I stay quiet as each of the people whose name is on the ranch utters their agreement, and that’s that.
With dinner done and the intense discussion over, I stand, hand Daisy the dog leash, and start clearing the table. I don’t cook, and Sharon won’t let me do dishes, but after years of insisting, clearing the table has become my thing.
On my way to the kitchen, I see Knox and Charlie whispering in the family room. She was his lawyer for close to a decade, so with his money and her expertise, I can’t help but hope they’re coming up with some sort of contingency plan. Just in case these fuckers keep pushing.
I’ve dropped off my first round of plates and am opening the back door to the porch when I spot Daisy and Maui traipsing away toward the barn. Seeing the two of them together loosens something in my chest, and I breathe a little easier. But my brainwastes no time reminding my heart that they aren’t my reality. They aren’t my girls.
Not yet anyway.
After clearing the table, I make my way outside where the two of them are walking between the barn and the roping ring. One of the sexiest things about Daisy is that when she shows up at the bar in her cowboy boots, they aren’t just for show. Daisy rides better than most and is as comfortable in the saddle as she is driving her truck. She’s the girliest girl you’ll ever meet, but she also isn’t afraid to get dirty or work hard. Seeing her here at the ranch, her boots in the dirt, in her element, is yet another thing about her that turns me on.
But what doesn’t?
While making my trips from the table to the kitchen, my interaction with that prick at the restaurant played on repeat in my head, and I’ve realized I can’t keep what happened the other day from her. I value her trust too much. So, now it’s my boots in the dirt on my way to the girls.
Daisy is praising Maui as they work on her sit and stay skills. The woman may claimnotto be co-parenting with me, but if that’s the case, why did she show up tonight with a baggie of training treats?
Sure, Maui sleeps at my house, but she’s just as much hers as she is mine.
“Hello, ladies. How goes the training?”
When she hears me, Maui jumps up from her perfect down position and does her adorable floppy run over to me.
“It was going just fine until you stole her attention away. Such ayouthing to do.” She sounds irritated, but the sparkle in her eyes and the slight upward tick of the corner of her mouth say otherwise.
“And what exactly are you implying?”
“That you love attention and make sure you get it wherever you go.”
