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She hadn’t planned on enjoying being with Corbin.
He turned out to be different from the other boys Belle had dated. He hadn’t been all wrapped up in sports or his looks or trying to get in her jeans. He’d been thoughtful and kind and listened intently when she spoke. He’d talked more than he had in school, about math and books and the old westerns he enjoyed. He was funny in a dry wit kind of way that took her by surprise. Time had flown by. When he’d walked her to the door and looked at her with those cobalt-blue eyes, she’d forgotten it wasn’t her he liked and had leaned in and kissed him.
And not just once.
On that warm night in May, they had stood on the porch and kissed repeatedly until she felt as weak as a newborn calf. She would have kept kissing him all night if Mama hadn’t flashed the porch light. And it was a good thing her mama had. Corbin hadn’t wanted to kiss Belle. He’d only wanted to see how far she’d go to try and convince him she was Liberty.
“He’s a handsome man . . . if not a little angry.”
Mimi’s words startled Belle out of her thoughts and she realized she was staring at Corbin. The icy disdain was still there. She pulled her gaze away and turned to her grandmother.
“Keep your voice down, Mimi.”
“He can’t hear me all the way at the other end of the table.” Mimi’s eyes twinkled. “Which doesn’t explain why he keeps staring down here at you. Did something happen in the barn?”
“Nothing, besides him letting me know in no uncertain terms that he has no intentions of giving back the ranch.”
“Then it’s a good thing we have a plan.”
Belle stared at her. “A plan? What kind of plan?” It was never good when Mimi came up with plans. Her last plan to save the ranch had been marrying off one of her granddaughters to a Remington. Which hadn’t saved the ranch at all. “I hope you don’t think one of your granddaughters is going to marry Corbin because that’s not going to happen.”
Mimi chuckled. “Of course not. But it wouldn’t hurt for you to become Corbin’s friend.”
“Is that why you, Mama, and Daddy haven’t moved out yet? You’re hoping to become Corbin’s friends so he’ll let Rome buy the ranch? Because that’s not going to work, Mimi. Corbin doesn’t want a Holiday as a friend.”
Mimi got the stubborn look on her face she always got when she was determined to see something through. “Maybe he thinks he doesn’t, but he just doesn’t realize what good friends we Holidays make.” She raised her voice. “Hey, Darla! Cut Corbin a piece of that pie you baked this mornin’.”
Corbin certainly seemed to enjoy the pie. He didn’t leave a buttery flake or cherry on his plate. Or maybe eating gave him something to do since he didn’t seem to want to participate in the conversation. He spoke when asked a direct question, but other than that he didn’t speak at all. She remembered him being quiet in high school as well. Which was why she’d been so surprised on their date. After a few awkward moments, he had opened up and become a completely different person. Belle couldn’t help wondering if that person was still inside somewhere.
Not that she would find out. She wasn’t about to do what her grandmother asked. Corbin didn’t want her as a friend, and to be honest, she didn’t want him as one either. He wasn’t the same sweet boy she remembered. He was a vengeful man she wanted no part of. As far as she was concerned, it would be best if her family just accepted they were losing the ranch and moved out. She planned to tell her sisters just that at the next Secret Sisterhood meeting.
Her thoughts about Corbin and the ranch were interrupted when Liberty and Jesse got to their feet.
“Now that we’re all finished with dessert,” Liberty said. “Jesse and I want to tell you about our surprise. But first, I need to get Noelle and Hallie on the phone.”
A few seconds later, Hallie’s voice came through the speaker of Liberty’s phone.
Loud and clear.
“Hey, Libby! I hope you’re calling to tell me that the lowdown snake Corbin Whitlock is giving us back our ranch.”
Everyone at the table cringed. Everyone but Jesse and Sunny who both threw back their heads and laughed.
“Nope,” Sunny said in between snorts of laughter. “The lowdown snake and his sister are still here.”
“Damn,” Hallie grumbled. “Thanks for the warning, Libby.”
Liberty rolled her eyes. “If you had given me a chance, I would have told you that everyone is here.” She glanced at Sunny and Corbin. “Forgive my outspoken sister. But Hallie talks smack about everyone. Including her family. And pretty soon you and Sunny are going to be part of that family.” She exchanged smiles with Jesse before she held out her hand to display the ruby ring on her finger. “Jesse and I are getting married!”
The entire room erupted with congratulations and the sound of chairs scraping back as everyone got up to offer hugs and handshakes to the happy couple.
Everyone but Belle.
She couldn’t move. She was too stunned.
Married? Liberty was getting married? Belle felt like she was going to pass out. Or throw up. And not wanting to do either in front of everyone, she got to her feet and quietly slipped out the back door.
The storm had moved through, all that remained of it was a smattering of dark clouds on the eastern horizon. On the western, a brilliant sunset stretched its reddish-orange rays across the sky. Belle leaned back against the side of the house and took deep gulping breaths.
