I want to offer him something in return. “About the lawsuit, I found an old case that might help us. It sets a precedent for water rights, which means you and everyone else here could have a case against the Tomahawk Corporation. I want to meet with one of my colleagues to make sure I understand the implications correctly.”
“Us against Tomahawk?” He looks dubious, but there’s a new glint in his eye. “David and Goliath?”
“It’s possible. I don’t want to promise anything until I know all the parts and pieces, but I’m…cautiously optimistic.”
Fitz closes his eyes and gives me a tight smile. “I appreciate you wanting to help. I’m running out of time with global warming being what it is. You've seen the weather patterns around here. We either need to change the way we grow everything, embrace full-on dry farming, or find water from a new source. But that's expensive, and I don't want to bankrupt the land that’s been entrusted to me and lose everything.”
“I get it. I feel the same way about my family. My parents died when we were little on 9-11. A lot of people died. Obviously, it was a horrible day for my family, but my grandparents have been amazing. They raised five girls, and we always knew we were loved.”
“I’m really sorry, Tessa.” He hasn’t used my actual name much, and it sounds oddly formal.
“Thank you. We were lucky. We had the best role models. And I knew my parents would want me to step up and take care of my sisters. It's just the way I am. I worry about them andlook out for them, and I probably always will. Maybe that's why it never felt like the right time to be a mother. It always seemed like I was doing the job already, and I didn't want to spread myself too thin. Plus, you know, holding out for the handsome prince.” I laugh as though I’m kidding, which I am. Mostly.
“Doesn’t sound like you’d have time for the prince even if you found him.” I glance at him for signs of a smirk, some small suggestion that he’s referring to himself, but he seems focused on the view.
“Probably not. And now I’m thirty-five, so…time to start writing my story.”
“How does the story end, Duchess?” He leans back on the blanket, a little more carefree now. And completely unaware that he just asked a question I have no idea how to answer.
I shake my head and push away the wave of sadness that my story won’t end with the two of us together. “I wish I knew. For now, though, this is pretty darn good.”
I lean back too. The sky is cloudless, and the horses graze and whinny behind us. Fitz tips his cowboy hat back, and I get a good view of his chiseled face in the waning light.
Pretty darn good.
CHAPTER 21
Tessa
It’s official.Texting is my new favorite form of communication.
Fitz:
How did you like your first cattle drive?
Me:
I loved it
Fitz:
Sorry you didn’t get to drive them in a car *wink*
Me:
*facepalm* Are you ever going to let me live that down?
Fitz:
Nope
One DayLater
Fitz:
How did you sleep?
Me: