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Good thing Dr. Curry is a friend of the family and knows the moment that man returns to the ranch, he’ll try to work it. I doubt they will release him anytime soon.
“Oh no,” Jess gasps as the doors to the elevator open.
“What happened, baby girl?” I ask, looking over my shoulder as I step out.
“I forgot my textbook. I need to go back.”
“I’ll come with you,” I say, turning to get back in the car.
“No, you get the truck. I’ll be quick. I don’t want to wake Pop-pop. I just need to grab my book.”
“All right, I’ll be waiting out front.”
I need to make some calls to check in on a few sites. We have a couple of houses going up and a new building downtown. I haven’t been on site in a few days.
I pull my phone and start for the parking garage. I’m sending off a text when I overhear a male voice ask for the room of Moses Galveston. I turn to find a big burly guy at the reception desk.
He looks around, and his green eyes land on me. He gives a nod, and I return it. I don’t know him, but he looks a bit familiar. I shrug it off as I reply to a text that comes in. Then my phone rings with a call I need to take.
I walk outside and head for my truck, my mood still sour from not getting to see Cakes. I can’t help wondering how long she intends to be here. I hope I have time to work my shit out.
Lynn
I slept like crap. My mind has been racing with what my daddy will need. Who’s going to take care of the ranch? How long will I need to be here? Then the worse part.
Will I make it back home without running into Trevor? And how is his daughter so close to my family? I mean, it was so clear to see she knows my grandmother and father intimately. Like family.
What has been going on here in my absence? Now that the shock has worn off, I’d like to ask the girl so many questions. I know that’s the coward’s way out.
Asking her is easy. She clearly doesn’t know our past and she can’t force information I don’t want on me. Not like if I ask Elise, Maggie, or my family.
“You better get moving,” Elise calls into my bedroom.
I’m sitting on the edge of the bed looking crazy. I tossed and turned all night. Wanting to see my daddy to at least know what’s going on, I drag my exhausted body from the bed and head for the shower. Hopefully some hot water will release some of this tension and relieve these aches in my bones.
“I’m in Texas,” I breathe to myself as the water cascades down my body.
The weight of that statement only increases the heaviness I feel. I work through my shower in a daze. Concern for the ranch really begins to set in.
My father doesn’t have anyone to pass it down to. I would be next in line. It’s been so long since I’ve allowed myself to even think of my family’s ranch.
I know mama and daddy would never force me into running the ranch, but if I don’t, then who? It’s been in our family for so many generations. I wouldn’t want to lose that. I need to talk to Matthew and see if he can help me figure out my options for my family’s legacy.
I’m lost in thought as I step back into the bedroom. I nearly jump out of my skin when I find Maggie waiting for me. Startled, I place a hand over my heart and try to catch my breath.
“Why so jumpy?”
“I have a lot on my mind.”
“Like a certain sexy-ass blue-eyed construction worker?”
“Don’t you start too. I told you guys I don’t want to know anything about him,” I mumble.
“Girl, that ship has sailed. You do know that was his oldest last night. Them babies love your family. You’re gonna run into them even if you manage to avoid their daddy,” she says as she places her hands on her hips.
I throw my hands in the air. “And how the heck did that happen?”
“You gave him up. That’s still family to your folks. Them kids didn’t do anything. They shouldn’t be punished. Trev needed help, and your folks stepped in.
“I’ve wanted to tell you for years. Trev is?—”
“Not another word. I don’t want to know. What am I wearing?”
Maggie sighs, then mumbles under her breath. “I can’t wait until he gets his hands on you. Grr.” She then turns and picks up the outfit she laid out for me. “Here, I’ll tackle that head once you put this on.”
I take the high-waisted jeans and top she hands me, noting the heels she placed at the foot of the bed for me. I get dressed and shake my head. The jeans are skin-tight, and the top is a crop top baring my stomach.
