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“Hear ive ranch life a try But things haven’t worked out between you and me, and it’ll be even etvet, a family man, who’ll lease her house and clinic and take over her practice And I’ve accepted an offer fro September first”
There was dead silence around the table Will’s taut voice broke it “You know the terms of Dad’s will If you leave, your share of the ranch drops to twenty-five percent”
“I’ fine on whatever’s left to me Believe me, twenty-five percent of this place isn’t worth my sanity, or my family’s future”
“What about Natalie?” Will argued “She’s built up her practice here”
Beau’s hand moved to Natalie’s shoulder “We’ve talked about this There are plenty of ani horses When Natalie’s ready, she’ll have no trouble finding work Meanwhile, she can focus on resting, getting ready for the baby, and being a mother”
Will was silent, but Lauren could sense the explosion building Erin was close to tears Lauren knew Will’s daughter had been excited about having her new little cousin close by Tori looked stricken Surely Natalie would have shared this news ahead of time, but it didn’t appear that way
Will stood, quivering with anger too long held back “Dammit, Beau, I need you! The ranch needs you! You can’t just sto through a bad tiet to take your place?”
Beau’s reply was glacial “Get anybody you want With you around to boss them like you did me, half the cowboys on the ranch could do my job Flip a coin Draw straws I don’t care”
Lauren glanced at Sky Seen in profile, his face revealed nothing But he had to be hurting This was his flesh-and-blood faht to interfere She ached for him
Will glared down the table at his brother “This has always been your way, hasn’t it, Beau? When things get tough you walk away, just like you did eleven years ago Dad never let on how h ways, he loved you—maybe because you were the most like our mother But you didn’t care All you could think about was yourself—and you haven’t changed”
“Say anything you want to, Will” Beau’s voice was strained tight “I’ives you ale my mind”
“Fine,” Will snapped “Do whatever you want You always have” He took a step toward the front door “I’ve got work to do If anybody needs me, I’ll be up on the caprock with the cattle”
He stalked outside, sla the front door behind him Seconds later his pickup roared away from the house
The stunned silence hanging over the table was broken when Erin burst into tears
Stella sat alone at the bar in the Blue Coyote, s the Sunday paper—a day late since it was Monday, but what did it matter? The bar wasn’t set to open for more than an hour, but today she had plans to carry out She would need towent down as it should Split-second ti would be critical