Brook keeps her hold on me. She’s not going to let me go. "I've never seen Wyatt look at anyone the way he looks at you. Please don’t give up on him."
From inside the stall comes the sound of paper rustling, and Brook's voice drops even lower. "Don't let her win, Kinsley. Don't let fear make your choices for you."
The stall door opens, and Brittney emerges with a satisfied smile that falters slightly when she sees Brook standing there.
"Oh, hello." Brittney smiles. "You're Wyatt's sister, aren't you?" Her tone is different now, more careful and friendly. "Wyatt's told me all about you." She moves as if she’s going to hug Brook.
Brook glares at her and puts a hand up to stop her advance. “I sincerely doubt that.”
Brittney drops her arms. She opens her mouth to respond and then closes it again. She turns to wash her hands and Brook stares her down.
Brook has a level of freedom here that neither Wyatt nor I do. I’m stuck between him and the job I was hired to do. He’s stuck between what may be his future child and savingthe night I worked so hard to put together that should in turn save Stonegate Ranch.
The silence stretches uncomfortably until Brittney finishes washing her hands and heads for the door.
"See you out there," she says with forced brightness, and then she's gone, leaving behind only the lingering scent of expensive perfume.
Brook keeps her arm around me.
"I still have to convince the Senator to help us," I finally say, my voice thick with exhaustion. "I don't know how to work around this, but I have to salvage something. I didn't have a plan that included a pregnancy test, but I have to do something.” I know I’m repeating myself but it’s like my brain is stuck on a loop.
Brook holds me back. “Kinsley, you can’t possibly think that any of us expect you to grovel to that man or his daughter.”
“I have to do something,” I beg her. “This is what I was hired to do. If I fail at my jobandlose Wyatt…”
“Okay. Okay.” Brook nods with understanding. "Let’s go save a ranch," she says simply. "But if that woman comes near you, I will happily strong arm her to the nearest exit, pregnant or not”
Brook pushes open the door, and the noise of the party rushes in to meet us. I never thought the most impossible thing I'd have to do tonight was pretend my heart wasn't breaking.
Forty
LONG AS I'M BREATHING, YOU DON'T TALK ABOUT HER THAT WAY.
WYATT
Martinez doesn't waste time.
Brittney disappeared into the bathroom thirty seconds ago, and her daddy's already moving in like a coyote. "Son," he says, dropping his hand on my shoulder like he owns me. "You and I need to discuss your future."
I knock his hand off my shoulder hard enough to send a message. "There’s nothing to discuss. Brittney’s made this whole thing up." Even as I deny it, the question remains—what happened the night I can't remember?
Martinez doesn't back off. Instead, he steps closer, invading my space in a way that's meant to make me feel cornered. "The baby's real enough. I've seen the blood test."
I grit my teeth and hold my ground. "It's not mine." The seed of doubt wiggles in my mind. What if she's telling thetruth about being there that night? The thought makes me sick.
Every instinct I have screams that Brittney's lying. But Martinez is betting I can't be sure—and he’s right.
"I'm taking her word over yours," he says, reaching up to adjust my collar. His fingers brush against my throat before dropping to grip my shoulder again. I hate his hands on me. It feels like a vice and I want to beat him to the ground. "For whatever reason, she's set her heart on you, and I think she should have what she wants. Don't you?"
I step back, breaking contact, and his smile widens. He knows he's getting under my skin.
"No, sir, I do not."
His smile finally slips. "That's a darn shame." He glances around, taking in the crowd of ranchers and rodeo champions Kinsley worked so hard to gather. "You know… I know exactly why I'm here tonight. I know what that little woman wants from me, what your family wants from me, and I can save your family's ranch with a single phone call."
His fingers dig in slightly, just enough to remind me that he's willing to cause me pain.
My hands curl into fists at my sides. This is a game of chicken, and he's waiting to see who breaks first. All I’m seeing is red, but I hear him out.