“You’re saying that making do and doing without build character.” It wasn’t a question. Steven flashed that slick defense attorney’s smile of his. “But appearances do count. Not just outside. But in here.” He tapped a spot on his chest where most people have hearts.
Whether Steven had a heart was yet to be proven.
Steven cast a disparaging gaze about the ranch, no doubt taking inventory of the rundown condition of the neglected property. “If you live the leader look, you’ll be a success.”
“Or go broke trying.” Hayden bared his teeth in a weak attempt at a smile.
Steven wasn’t fazed. “You know, I love my daughter. I want what’s best for her, the same way you want what’s best for Eve. If you truly loved her, that is.”
Hayden scowled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Evie’s ex studied him in silence for a moment before answering. “You rushed to the altar, and I don’t think you thought this through.”
“Typical lawyer doublespeak.” Hot air, as far as Hayden was concerned. He turned to go. “See you in two weeks.”
“Eve’s going to become a registered nurse,” Steven said in a knowing voice. “Because Eve’s smart. And then, all this will change.” His gesture encompassed the ranch. “She’ll get a job somewhere else. She’ll work long hours.”
“That’s her dream.” To help people heal.
“But if your relationship isn’t solid, your marriage will fail.” Steven spoke in a hard voice, as if this was a hard truth Hayden needed to learn. “Even if you did love her, her absence would derail your marriage.”
“Which is why you never supported Evie’s dream.” Things were beginning to come together. “Because you loved her so very much.” Like a possession. Hayden smirked.
Steven looked as if he wanted to fling a scathing retort at Hayden, but Evie returned to the porch, the screen door slamming behind her. All he said was, “Just wait,” before opening his car door.
Hayden couldn’t let the man have the last word. “I will wait. I’ll see things through with Evie. But just so you know, you’ll need four-wheel drive to pick up Katie safely come winter. We won’t put our girl at risk. I think the judge will agree, don’t you?”
Steven got into his fancy car and slammed the door shut. The engine roared to life. He turned the car around too fast, kicking up gravel that might mar that once-pristine, sparkly red paint job of his.
Hayden smiled. Finally, something that felt like a win today.
Evie came down the steps to join him. “Did you get it all out of your system?”
“Meaning?” Hayden faced her.
Evie looked tired, like she hadn’t slept well. “Did you get the frustration out over what I said last night?” She nodded toward Steven’s cloud of retreating dust. “Seems like you tried to take it out on Steven.”
“You’re wrong,” he lied. “I took it out on cattle all day.” And Roddy. And Rhett.
“In a real marriage, folks talk out their frustrations. They don’t take them out on others.” Evie turned, as if to go. But then she swung back around to face him. “Dinner will be ready soon.” Then she headed back inside.
Leaving Hayden to realize on his own that the big blowout conversation he’d been expecting, the one he’d imagined all day would put an end to their marriage, wasn’t going to come.
We’re just going to pretend Evie never confessed her feelings?
He stared at that receding dust cloud, not knowing if that was good or bad.
Chapter Eighteen
After lunch on Monday, a truck and horse trailer pulled into the ranch yard just before Eve began an online quiz. The name on the side was Bentwood Livestock Auction.
“Were we expecting a livestock delivery, Gran?” Eve asked, setting her nursing notes aside and rising from the couch. “Hayden didn’t mention anything to me.”
They’d barely talked since she’d told him she loved him. He and Roddy were taking the last of the cattle to the auction yard for tomorrow’s event and hadn’t mentioned anything about a delivery. Rhett and his twins had gone to a cowgirl museum outside of Marietta. Katie seemed tired after preschool this morning. She was sprawled on the couch, petting Poppy. It was the perfect time to take the quiz Eve had been studying for.
“I don’t know boo about stock deliveries.” Irene was playing with the kittens, dangling a bit of string for them to leap after. She wasn’t having the clearest of memory days.
“Well, we can’t leave the driver out there.” Eve slipped on her shoes and went outside.