Page 50 (1/2)

When Dalton opened his lare

Fun times

Ben did call Quinn He was pissy, in that silent, si silent way of his, which bothered Ben far worse than if Quinn had yelled and screamed

Chapter Twenty-Six

The Wetzlers’ place was in view and against his better judgs yapped, but he shooed them aside, as he started up the porch steps

Rielle stepped outside, and leaned against the porch support, her expression a ht we had a deal, Rielle"

"We had no deal" She folded her arht e talked about was confidential"

"It was"

"Then how co cowboy shbors attitude as they wereto decide how many cows they could run?"

"I’ht ere friends"

"I thought so too" She tossed her head, trying to keep the wind froh friends these days New friends"

"What?"

"Don’t play that ga with Ainsley Hamilton I’ve seen her car at your place several times in the last feeeks And isn’t it a coincidence the bank she runs wouldn’t lend me the money I needed to keep my land? But I’ll bet she was more than happy to loan money to you so you could buy it"

"So you’re what? Punishing et you into the financial mess you’re in," he retorted hotly, "and you don’t honestly believe I had dishonorable intentions when I offered to help bail you out of that situation"

Rielle shivered "I didn’t knohat to believe That was the problem"

"Who’d you sell to?"

It appeared she wouldn’t answer and then she said, "I sold it to Gavin"

Ben’s mouth nearly hit the porch slats "Gavin? As in my brother Gavin?"

"Yes He made me an offer…the sa I told you I’d think about it Your cousins co by last week reement and he paid offhis real estate lawyer draw up the terms of sale"

"Jesus And you just trust hilared at him "I’m not stupid, Ben I’ve hired reeer McKay" Rielle shook her head "Sorry That was uncalled for You have no idea how hard this has been on me"

"Didn’t hafta be"

Her eyes connected with a point over his shoulder "Did I ever tell you the last thing my daddy said to me? Don’t sell the land to the McKays"

"But you did anyway"

"No, I sold it to Gavin Thatby her cutting words, he shot back, "Sorry we’ve been such horrible neighbors for the last thirty years Bet you won’t miss that"

"Don’t say that," she implored "This is just business"

Hadn’t Dalton and Tell said the sa anywhere"

"What?" Ben stared at her suspiciously "You’re not reed to divide the land The creek front is mine so eventually I’ll be able to build on it Since he’s not sure of his plans, long-ter in the house just like I’ve been"

"So nothin’ has changed for you," he said dully

"Everything has changed forbetrayed on time friend, and by his brother And since he didn’t knohat to say, he turned and walked away

Rielle’s shouted offer to finally pay him for the beds fell on deaf ears

So he’d called his father to share the love "Ben What’s up?"

"My curiosity mostly"

"Well, your tone don’t match your words You sound mad as hell, son"

"I am" He counted to fifty "I just left Uncle Casper’s house where I had to keep Brandt, Tell and Dalton fro the tar outta Colt"

No response

"And you don’t seem particularly surprised about that"