Rough, Raw, and Ready (Rough Riders #5)(83)

Chassie frowned. “But I thought your family wanted that section?”


“Fuck my family. Maybe it’s time they realized they can’t always get what they want just ’cause their last name is McKay.”


His vehemence surprised her.

Colt paced. “Do you really think we need another coupla thousand acres? No. But McKay Ranches would snap it up just because they could. That acreage won’t take a nickel away from our livelihood, but it sure as hell will make a huge difference in yours and Trevor’s. And honestly, I’ve done enough shitty things to people I care about to last me a lifetime. Jesus, Chassie, you’re one of the few that’s not on the list of folks I’ve wronged and I’d like to keep it that way. Takin’ this land out from under you feels wrong.”


Chassie placed her hand on his arm, stopping his nervous activity. When Colt looked at her, Chassie finally understood this offer was about more than money. It wasn’t about charity. It wasn’t really about guilt. It was about Colt proving he’d changed, probably when no one in his family believed he could. Proving that same streak of decency running through his brothers ran through him too, even if he and Chassie were the only ones who were aware he’d acted on it.

Colt’s problems with his family were not her issues, but a niggling voice pointed out by Colt coming to her, he’d taken on the responsibility of helping her overcome her family issues—chiefly financial, by bucking his own family’s best interests.

“If I take the money, what will you want in return?”


Colt blanched. “Nothin’. I swear.”


“No unlimited grazin’ rights? Water rights? Mineral rights? Huntin’ rights?”


He shook his head.

Seemed too good to be true. “I’ll have to clear it with Trevor.”


“I’d expect nothin’ less. I wanted to talk to you first.”


Chassie yelled, “Hey, guys, come here.”


“Guys? But—”


She locked her gaze to Colt’s. “Edgard is a permanent part of the operation and of our life now.”


After a second, Colt nodded.

That wasn’t so hard. She expected it’d get even easier in time.

When Trevor and Edgard ambled over, Chassie and Colt explained the situation.

No surprise Trevor was adamantly opposed. “Absolutely not. Like you said, Chass, if we can’t come up with the cash ourselves then ownin’ that place wasn’t meant to be.”


“You’d’ve had no problem borrowin’ the money from your dad,” Chassie pointed out.

“That’s different,” Trevor said.

“How so?” Colt demanded. “A loan from family is a loan from family. I’m Chassie’s family, which makes you family too.”


“So you’re lendin’ us the money?” Trevor asked.

“I sure as hell ain’t givin’ it to you.”


A sharp bark of laughter. “That’s a big relief.”


Colt relaxed slightly. “Think of it as a long-term investment.”


Trevor studied him distrustfully, not because Colt was dishonest, but because in Trevor’s mind, all dealings with family were suspect. “If you ain’t gettin’ interest on the loan, then what’s in it for you short term?”


“I dunno.” Colt scratched his cheek thoughtfully. “I’m lookin’ to diversify my part of the herd. How about you gimme first pick of your male calves durin’ brandin’? They’re worth about a thousand bucks at that age.”


“You want all twenty-five this spring?”


“Nope. One or two a year’ll be just fine.”


Chassie gawked at her cousin in disbelief. “But that’ll take years!”


“Like I told you, I’m lookin’ at long-term.” That flash of shame appeared in his eyes again, but he soldiered on. “Ask me where the money I’m lendin’ you came from, Chassie.”


“Where?”


“It’s what I would’ve spent on booze and women in just the last year. It’s sittin’ there starin’ me in the face like guilt and blood money. I wanna invest it in something I believe in, which is a family ranchin’ operation.” Colt looked across the field, but Chassie knew he was looking far beyond what she could see. “So many of my friends are gone to greener pastures. I couldn’t stand it if you were another one of ’em to leave, and not out of choice.”


Chassie was one of the few who knew Colt’s life hadn’t been as carefree as people assumed and he’d had fewer choices than any of his siblings.

“Anyway, when I build a house on the frontage between the creek and the bluff, we’ll be even closer neighbors, so it makes sense we look out for each other’s best interests.”


“Got a flesh and blood woman all picked out to settle down with in this phantom house you’re describin’?” Trevor prompted with a wicked grin.

“Possibly.” Colt shrugged. “Mostly I’m tired of livin’ at the Boars Nest. I want my own place. Chet and Remy drew up specs and we’re just waitin’ on the county to clear the permits.”