Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(188)

”


“Seeing how protective you are of Ben might make me change my mind about you.”


Oh, goodie. That’s what she needed. Rielle’s approval.


“The McKays are taking cattle to market. He’s supposed to be home Friday night.”


So much for getting this all straightened out today.


“Did your fight with Ben have anything to do with the land issues coming to a head?”


“Land issues?” Ainsley repeated.


“Him and his cousins made a fair play for my land by offering to catch up my payments

at Settler’s First. I appreciated Ben’s offer. But Gavin’s was better.”


Ainsley squinted at her. “Wait a second. I’m confused.”


Rielle explained and Ainsley felt guiltier and guiltier. Ben been dealing with such a

shit storm in his life the last night they’d seen each other and she hadn’t noticed.

She’d just added to it.


“But it was the best way for me to save face, keep out of bankruptcy and not be

beholden to a McKay.”


Her gaze snapped up. Had she said that to Ben? Impugned his family name? “You are

talking about Ben’s brother Gavin, right?”


“Yes. But he isn’t anything like the rest of them.”


“Didn’t your decision cause problems between you and Ben?”


She tossed her head. “Yes, Ben is pissy with me. Which is why I came over and checked

on his place. It’s a neighborly thing. You wouldn’t understand.”


Ainsley wasn’t about to back down. “I understand perfectly. You’re expecting the

betrayal of your friendship with him will just go away if you show up with a pan of

homemade muffins? Wrong.” She held her hand out. “Give me the damn key.”


“But—”


“Right now.” Surprisingly, Rielle slapped it in her hand. Then Ainsley got in her

face. “Go home. Your relationship with Ben will never be the same.”


“Because of you? Now that you’re in the picture you’re warning me off?”


“I’m telling you that I know Ben on a level you never will. You were his friend. And

now you’re just another person in a long line of people who have used and hurt him.

Well, guess what, Rielle? I’ll never be that person. Ever. And yes, I plan on being in

the picture for a long, damn time. So get used to it.”



Rielle didn’t utter a word. She drove off.


Ainsley would make it right with Ben, no matter what she had to do.


She called Layla on her way home. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said

today. Yes. I agree.” She laughed. “Well, funny you should ask…I need a huge favor.

”


Chapter Thirty-Three


Dead tired after four days of loading cattle, taking them to market, and making the

drive back, all Ben wanted was a shot of whiskey, a hot shower and a solid night’s

sleep.


And his soft Ainsley curled beside him.


Might as well wish for a million bucks.


Ben trudged to his front door and shoved his key in the lock. Ace and Deuce saw

something by the barn and raced off. After being cooped up in the truck for the past