“Not private enough,” Della counters.“Next time, maybe try closing the tack room door.Especially if Dylan is going to be wandering around here.”
My face burns hot.“That’s just it.She wants nothing to do with me, and she’s not really too keen on Dylan spending time with me either.”
Della’s brows pinch together in confusion.“Why not?”
“She thinks I’m going to disappoint him,”
Realization floods my sister’s features.“Russell really put her through it, Maddox, and I’m guessing Dylan felt some of that too.If you’re serious about her, then you need to be patient.She’ll come around.”
“You sound sure of that.”
She shrugs.“I think deep down Amelia has always wanted the fairytale.The question is, do you?”
“I wanther.”
Period.End of story.
I want to give her the life she deserves and love her better than she thinks is possible.
Della and Judy exchange a look but say nothing.
“I’m willing to put in the work.”Pushing away from the table, I drain the rest of my coffee before walking the empty mug to the sink.“I gotta make a call to Lucifer.Tell him there’s been a change in our agreement.”
I set the mug in the sink and turn to my sister.“We’re still on the same page, right?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll check in with you later.”I glance back at Judy.“I’ll take a raincheck on breakfast.”
I head out the back door, letting the screen slam behind me as I stride across the yard toward the barn.The morning sun already beats down on my shoulders, promising another scorcher of a day.It’s too early in the season for it to be this hot.
Inside the barn, I pull out my phone and dial Lucifer’s number.My pulse quickens as I listen to it ring, knowing this isn’t going to be a pleasant conversation.
“Maddox,” his gruff voice answers.“I’ve been waiting for your call.You sure now how to keep things suspenseful.
“I apologize.It’s been a rough couple of days.”
“I heard about your sister getting bit by the rattler.Also heard she got discharged, so I’m assuming you got news for me.”
“Yeah.”I clear my throat.“But it’s not what you’re hoping for.Della’s not selling her share.”
A long beat of silence stretches between us, broken only by the sound of Lucifer’s heavy breathing.
“That wasn’t the arrangement,” he finally says, his voice dangerously low.
“I know that.”I pace the length of the barn.“But she’s my sister, and I can’t force her to sell if she doesn’t want to.This is her home, and I’m not going to steal it out from under her.”
“You sure as hell were singing a different tune the other night.”
“I know, but that was before I spoke with her.Some things have come to light, and I can’t ignore them,” I pause in front of one of the stalls.“We gotta figure something else out.I know we can make this happen, you just need to be a little more flexible with me.”
Another long silence.
“I need to talk to my brothers about this,” he says finally.“But I’m not happy, Maddox.Not happy at all.”
“I get that.Just...see what they think.Call me back when?—”
The sound of tires on gravel cuts me off.Through the open barn door, I spot Amelia’s car pulling into the drive.
