Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(157)

It appeared she wouldn’t answer and then she said, “I sold it to Gavin.”


Ben’s mouth nearly hit the porch slats. “Gavin? As in my brother Gavin?”


“Yes. He made me an offer…the same day you did, actually. I told him the same thing I

told you. I’d think about it. Your cousins coming by last week made my decision. I

called Gavin, we came to a verbal agreement and he paid off my note, that day, in its

entirely, in cash. He’s having his real estate lawyer draw up the terms of sale.”


“Jesus. And you just trust him? You don’t know him, Ree. Not like you know us.”


She glared at him. “I’m not stupid, Ben. I’ve hired my own attorney to look over the

agreement, and you can bet your ass that lawyer is not Ginger McKay.” Rielle shook her

head. “Sorry. That was uncalled for. You have no idea how hard this has been on me.”


“Didn’t hafta be.”


Her eyes connected with a point over his shoulder. “Did I ever tell you the last thing

my daddy said to me? Don’t sell the land to the McKays.”


“But you did anyway.”


“No, I sold it to Gavin. That man is about as far from a McKay as you can get.”


Stung by her cutting words, he shot back, “Sorry we’ve been such horrible neighbors

for the last thirty years. Bet you won’t miss that.”


“Don’t say that,” she implored. “This is just business.”


Hadn’t Dalton and Tell said the same thing?


“Besides, I’m not going anywhere.”


“What?” Ben stared at her suspiciously. “You’re not moving out and Gavin is moving

in?”


“No. Gavin agreed to divide the land. The creek front is mine so eventually I’ll be

able to build on it. Since he’s not sure of his plans, long-term or short-term, I’ll

continue living in the house just like I’ve been.”


“So nothin’ has changed for you,” he said dully.


“Everything has changed for me.”


Ben was at a loss. Feeling betrayed on many levels, by his cousin’s accusations, by

his longtime friend, and by his brother. And since he didn’t know what to say, he

turned and walked away.


Rielle’s shouted offer to finally pay him for the beds fell on deaf ears.


So he’d called his father to share the love. “Ben. What’s up?”


“My curiosity mostly.”


“Well, your tone don’t match your words. You sound mad as hell, son.”


“I am.” He counted to fifty. “I just left Uncle Casper’s house where I had to keep

Brandt, Tell and Dalton from beating the tar outta Colt.”


No response.


“And you don’t seem particularly surprised about that.”


“Not much surprises me these days.”


“It sure shocked the shit outta us,” he snapped.


“Before you chew my ass, lemme say Casper’s private business is not mine to share

with you or with them.” A pause and Ben heard the squeak of his dad’s office chair.

“So I take it Casper’s boys just found out?”