Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
And it feels good. It’s nice the way he looks at me, the way he touches me. The way he stands up for me. I don’t need him there lurking behind me and glaring at Daisy and my uncles—but I sure as hell like it.
After another hour of work, War finally tosses a book aside and puts his face in his hands. “I can’t keep doing this.”
“You’re dismissed then,” I say and wave at him. “Feel free to go.”
He glares at me. “This isn’t getting us anywhere.”
“Then what do you have in mind?”
“I don’t know,” he says and stands, heading over toward the window. He squints outside for a few second before gesturing for me to join him. “Who’s that?”
I get up and stand by his side. A woman’s riding one of the old mares in the paddock, and it takes me a second to recognize Kerry. She hasn’t been around much and I only saw her once when we first arrived, but it’s definitely her. “That’s my cousin.”
“Maybe we can talk to her.” He glances at me. “Think she’ll know something?”
“It’s not a bad idea,” I admit. “I’m not super close with her but she’s been around all this time.”
“Think she’s on Daisy’s side?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
“Then let’s go find out.”
Chapter 18
Melody
Kerry dismounts and waves as we approach. She stands behind an old mare, a pretty horse with a good temperament. Kerry’s brown hair blows in the wind and she tries to smooth it back, but the strays keep circling her head like a halo. I give her the best smile I can and take the lead with War straggling after me. I hope he’s not scowling and looking all intimidating. I was never close with Kerry when I was younger, but she also wasn’t one of the loud voices denouncing me and making my life hell when all that crap happened. She mostly kept to herself, and I’ve always respected her for it, even if I wish at least one person had come to my defense.
“Hey, Kerry,” I say and wave. “How are you?”
“Doing good,” she says and pats the old mare’s flank. “Just taking Lily here for a little walk.”
I approach Lily and gently stroke her side. She’s a sweet old thing, very loving and gentle. “Do you ride often?”
“Not as often as I like.” She takes Lily’s reins and starts walking. “How about you?”
“Constantly,” I admit. “I still work with horses.”
“Lucky you. I got a job in marketing at a little boutique agency with headquarters not far from here, so I’m in the office most of the time.”
My eyebrows raise in surprise. “Wow, that sounds great.”
She gives me a tight smile, and I get the feeling that it’s not actually great at all. “Pays the bills at least.”
“Since when did anyone in this family need to pay the bills?” War asks, about as tactful as a sledgehammer to the face.
Kerry gives him a hard look. “I’m not sure what you mean. Nothing’s free, is it? Sorry, what was your name again?”
“War,” he says, flashing her a smile. “Pleasure to meet you. And I meant that I thought everyone in the family was taken care of.”
“Not everyone,” Kerry says, staring straight ahead. “And things haven’t been the best around here these days.”
I give War a dirty look and he only shrugs like he doesn’t understand why Kerry’s getting all defensive. “Sorry about him,” I say before War can make things worse. “He has basically zero tact and we’re just trying to get a feel for how the ranch has been since I left.”
Kerry glances at me, expression softening. “Honestly? It hasn’t been all that great. There was a really ugly period after everything went down and you moved away, but Daisy’s got the place stabilized, except apparently we can’t afford to employ everyone anymore. Which means cousins like me had to get jobs.”
War’s expression practically lights up as he shifts closer. “What do you mean, cousins like you?”
Kerry rubs a hand over her face. “I know what you two are doing,” she says.
“Sorry, Kerry, I don’t—”
“It’s fine,” she says, tone sharp. “Seriously, I don’t care. I know you’re not getting along with Daisy, and I guess you’re trying to find out what the deal is with everything around here.”
“Pretty much,” War admits and I give him a hard look, but maybe he’s right and being straight up and honest is the best approach here.
“We’re not trying to get anyone in trouble,” I say and pat Lily’s flank. “It’s just, so much has changed and I don’t understand all of it.”
“I wish I could tell you more, but I haven’t been very involved with things around here for a few years. Daisy took over, a few of us were cut out, and the rest all closed ranks around her.”