This was more like the Kristi he fell for in the beginning.
His hands went to her hips and he pulled her closer. He liked her this way. He wished she were like this more often. “Work has been crazy. Several of my cases are moving to court at almost the same time. I’m swamped. We’ll have more time together soon.” That was a lie. His career was taking off faster than even he expected. There would be more cases. He’d have less time.
Kristi didn’t understand that. She didn’t want to hear it. “Maybe step away from the ranch business and focus on being a lawyer.”
“What? No. I’ve already given over most of the running of the place to the manager. But I like working the ranch when I have time. It gives me a physical outlet and time to not think but justbe while I’m tending the animals or riding horseback through the fields.”
She squeezed his arm. “I want more time with you.”
“I want that, too.”
She tilted her head and studied him. “Do you?”
“Yes. Absolutely.” But he didn’t want to give up the ranch.
Because it will give you an excuse to be with Brook?
Kristi let out a soft sigh and seemed to gather herself. “I understand how hard you’re working to build a career, and a life,for us.”
He already could more than support them.
He made good money as a lawyer and he loved the challenge and how he was building a name for himself. Not that he needed the money. His father had left him a wealthy man.
“After Brooke graduates, she’ll help me with the ranch, and I’ll have more time.”
Another thing he and Kristi didn’t see eye to eye on, because a piece of the ranch and his wealth had also gone to Susanne and Brooke. She thought it all should have gone to Cody. He didn’t mind that his father left Susanne, his devoted, loving wife, a share. But it really irritated Kristi that Brooke got a share, too. It made Kristi jealous and angry that there would always be a permanent link between him and Brooke through the ranch, the home, that tied them together.
Cody didn’t mind. His father had wanted to be sure that Brooke never had to rely on anyone to take care of her. After her own father left, she and Susanne struggled. Now Brooke would never have to rely on anyone for anything. It eased Cody’s heart, just as much as it did his father’s, to know that they’d provided that sense of safety and security to both of them.
It made him happy and secure to know Brooke would always call the ranch home.
Cody wanted to make Kristi happy, but he also wanted to make sure every guy in the room stopped hitting on Brooke.
Kristi grabbed his arm again, pulling him back because she didn’t want to share him. “Don’t do this. Don’t leave me to go to her. She’s fine. You'll see her tomorrow morning at breakfast.”
He gave her a quick peck on the forehead and extricated his arm from her grasp. “I told you upstairs I wanted to catch up with Brooke tonight. I’ll just be a minute.”
She frowned and her eyes narrowed to a cold glare. By the look in her eyes, she was building up to an explosive argument. Another one.
He didn’t want to fight with her. He wanted her to understand that Brooke was a part of his life. He shouldn’t have to choose when Kristi knew he was with her and Brooke was just a friend.
Cody pointed to his left. “Look, there’s your mom and dad with your boss. Maybe seeing you here will help him make up his mind about who gets the promotion at work.”
“Maybe. He’s traditional. He thinks young women aren’t dedicated to their jobs and that their husbands want them at home. If you’re with me and tell him how much you support me working, he’ll see that I’m dedicated to my job.”
“Okay. I can do that. Go say hi. I’ll join you in a minute.”
“Cody, please. Stop putting your stepsister before me. It’s not fair, and I’m tired of feeling like you don’t trust me and can’t confide in me the way you do with her.”
“You know that’s not true.” Another lie. The guilt soured his gut. Talking to Brooke was easy. He didn’t have to carefully choose his words or rein in his emotions the way he did with Kristi, so as not to upset her or make things worse. “I’ll catch up with you in a minute.” He walked away before she argued even more.
He just wanted to talk to Brooke and make sure things were as they had always been between them. That’s all he needed toknow, then he’d be the doting boyfriend and talk up Kristi to her boss like she always did for him.
Chapter Fifteen
Standing alone in the corner of the room, he pulled out his phone and checked out Brooke’s latest post. She must have sent it moments before walking down the stairs in that killer dress. Those legs! He could stare at them all day.
The picture she posted was of her up in her room standing in front of a full-length mirror. Hair and makeup making her even sexier.
