Broken Love (Broken #4)(57)

Ugh.

Before she could see me, I quickly turned and headed back into the house.

“Ava? Ava wait!”

Shit. Put on your happy face, Ava.

Plastering on a fake ass smile, I turned to face her.

“I thought that was you. I see you got your cast off.”

The way she made her breasts bounce when she walked turned my stomach. She was the last person I wanted to see and probably the only reason I would not ever move into this house permanently. “Yep, I got it off about two weeks ago.”

She let out a fake chuckle. “I bet you’re happy to get it off.”

I wiggled my eyebrows and replied, “I am. It makes everything so much easier. Even Ryder agrees.”

Her smile faltered for a moment. “What brings you and Ryder here?”

I could tell her Ryder was here for a lunch meeting, but I thought I would put this bitch in her place once and for all. “Lucy has a friend who is making my wedding dress.”

Her mouth dropped open. “Your what?” Shaking her head, she let out a dry laugh as she said, “I swear you said wedding dress.”

Holding up my left hand, I smiled as big as I possibly could. I could have let out my old cheerleader personality with an Oh my gawd, Ryder asked me to marry him! Ahh! Instead, I simply said, “You heard right. Ryder and I are getting married on Valentine’s Day.”

I don’t know why, but her deer-in-the-headlights look made me want to do a little dance. I wonder if I asked her to give me a tour of my future home again if she would be down for it?

“Vanessa? Are you okay? You seem a little … stunned.”

Her eyes flicked between the ring, the house, and me. Clearing her throat, she forced a smile. “I’m fine. I was just taken aback I guess. I didn’t realize he was that serious about you.”

You. Did. Not. You. Bitch.

Narrowing my eyes at her, I stated, “I didn’t realize you were that close to him to make that assumption.”

With a look that honestly should have had me falling over dead, she screwed her face and shot daggers at me. “We’re not. I just didn’t picture Ryder settling.”

“You mean settling down.”

“No, I meant settling.”

Oh, hell no.

Walking toward her, I stopped just short. “Listen here, Vanessa. I’ve got your number. I grew up with a brother and a best friend who taught me how to throw a right hook, and trust me when I say I am not afraid to use it.”

Her mouth fell open. “Are you threatening to hit me?”

“I’m just telling you that if you think you can f*ck around with me, I’m here to tell you you cannot. I love Ryder and he loves me. I’m wearing his ring on my finger and if we’re going to be neighbors someday I suggest you get it through your damn head now that you will never get your greedy little paws on this house or my fiancé. Am I making myself clear?”

Vanessa took a step back. “I’ve never.”

“And you never will.” Lifting my hand, I waved my fingers and said, “Bye, neighbor.”

Spinning on my heels, I couldn’t help but do an internal jump and fist pump. I’ve always wanted to tell someone off. Damn, it felt good; she was the first one I tried it out on.

Glancing back to where she had been standing, I smiled when I saw her walking away. Looking forward, I made a mental note to tell Walker his baby sister was a bad ass!





I STARED AT the middle of the table as my father spoke about the use of vaccines on the cattle being raised on organic farms.

My head was going off in a million different directions as I tried to focus on what my father was saying. It’s not like I could afford to be daydreaming. If I planned on running the ranch someday, I needed to stay focused.

The next thing I knew, Dad was standing and thanking everyone for taking the time out of their busy day.

When the last person left, he turned and looked at me. “Where in the hell where you during that?”

I pulled my head back and looked at him like I had no clue what he was talking about. “Don’t pull that look with me Ryder. I’m not your mother. You were a million miles away.”

Pushing my fingers through my hair, I blew out a breath. “Dad, if I tell you something, will you swear not to share it with Mom?”

He lifted a brow. “It depends. If I deem it something she doesn’t need to know, then yes.”

“Well, how do I know if you will deem it something she needs to know or not before I tell you?”

He shrugged. “Don’t know. Guess you’ll have to tell me to find out.”

Letting out a frustrated sigh, I shook my head. “Never mind. I’ll deal with it.”

The papers he had been looking at dropped to the desk. “Would it make you feel better if I promised not to tell her?”

“Yes. It really would. I’m not even sure I should be telling you.”

He leaned back in the chair and rested his chin on his fingers like he always does when he is intrigued. “Well hell, now I want to know.”

I shook my head. “I’m not sure you do, but I feel like I need to tell you.”

He dropped his hands. “Ryder, is everything okay? You look a bit lost.”

Swallowing hard, I took in a deep breath. Was this right of me to be telling my father Kate was pregnant when she died? I’d hardly slept a wink last night thinking about it. If it would have been my daughter, I think I would have wanted to know. My mother on the other hand, I didn’t think she should know. It would only make the loss that much more.