LITMIR.BIZ

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she locked her car. She should have swallowed her pride and taken it. It would have put her in a better position than she was in now. How could she let him live on her property? What kind of life would that be, going about her business, caring for her animals, with Tyler there?

      One that she may have to endure because unless some miracle came out of nowhere in the next three days, that was exactly what was going to happen.

      Maybe Tyler’s offer is the miracle.

      Was this what her life had come to? A place where Tyler Hayward was her miracle?

      She jerked open the back door of the café and stepped into the small room that led to the kitchen. She hung up her sweater, pulled her freshly laundered apron out of her tote bag and tied it on.

      He might be her miracle, and she might be grateful to the soles of her shoes, but it was never going to sit well with her. He said he was doing this for Mason. Probably out of guilt.

      Yes.

      She yanked the bow at the back of her apron tight.

      That was it. Guilt.

      She could live with that motivation. It wouldn’t make it any easier having him on the place, but she could save her money, maybe get that second job she’d talked about. Pay him back super fast.

      Get her ranch back...get her life back, such as it was.

      “Are you okay?” Chloe called from the register, frowning at Skye’s puffy face. A night of cleaning and crying did no one any good.

      “My horse died yesterday.”

      “Ooh.” Chloe wrung her hands together then settled them on top of her pregnant belly. “I’m so sorry.”

      Skye nodded in acknowledgment rather than speak and risk tearing up. Chloe reached down and pulled Skye’s notepad out from under the counter.

      “Kind of empty today,” Skye said as she slipped the book into her apron pocket. As in totally empty, which was a bummer. Tips wouldn’t go far in helping her out of her present situation—but they would put some gas in her car.

      “The breakfast rush was good. Thanks for letting me work that half of your shift. I’ll split the tips with you.”

      “Not necessary. I’m sure lunch will be good, too.” Skye traded Chloe shifts, or half shifts, if necessary, on the days Chloe had OB appointments, and today it had worked out because after her cleaning frenzy, Skye had fallen into bed around 3:00 a.m. and managed a couple hours’ sleep, which she wouldn’t have gotten had she opened at 5:00 a.m.—even though she’d been awake at that time and on the phone with Angie.

      Speaking of which...

      “Where’s Angie?”

      “She’s running a quick errand. Something to do with her sister’s wedding. She should be back any minute now.”

      Skye hoped it wouldn’t be awkward, just the two of them and no customers, but knowing Angie, she’d already moved on from their early morning conversation.

      “Angie said that Tyler offered you a loan.” Skye waited, but instead of mentioning the clear-conscience aspect, Chloe shot her a curious look as she undid her apron and slipped it over her head. “Is everything okay?”

      “Couldn’t be better,” Skye said. Then, figuring she may as well start her own rumors and have them be truthful, she added, “We’re going into business together.”

      The heavy ceramic mug Chloe was holding slipped out of her hands, landing with a thud on the Formica countertop. “What kind of business?”

      “Ranching.” Skye looked past Chloe to an older couple that had just pushed through the door. “I’d better seat them.”

      Skye seated the couple, got them water and menus, then drifted back to the register. “Nothing firm yet, but we’re in discussions.”

      “Why would you do that?” Chloe asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

      Skye smiled at her. It felt like a weary smile, a smile one might find on a woman who’d lived for eighty decades instead of almost three. “Sometimes life backs you into a corner and all you can do is graciously say yes when someone offers you a way out.”

      * * *

      “I DON’T SEE this ending well,” Jess said to Tyler as they stood side by side, leaning against the rails of Hennessey’s outdoor practice pen. Bull-riding practice would move to the indoor facility once the weather grew inclement, but Ty didn’t think he’d be home all that often during that time, but if he was home it was going to be grand having a place to live where he wasn’t practically on top of his brother. That was the only part of the plan that Jess did fully approve of.

      “I’m not taking advantage of her. I’m helping her in the only way she can accept.”

      “Offer her the loan again.”

      “No.”

      “Why?” Jess tipped back his hat as he turned to eye his brother.

      “Because this works for both of us. Skye gets out from under the debt and I get a place to put my money.”

      “And a place to live.”

      “The best part of all.” He raised his chin as the chute across the pen opened and a young riderless bull charged out, twisting and bucking. “He has potential.”

      “That he does. I like the new lines Hennessey is breeding.”

      So did Tyler, although he’d be retired from riding before most of the young stock was ready to buck for real. Once the young bull had disappeared through the gate and the crew started loading another, Tyler shot his brother a look. “You know that I’m grateful that you gave me a roof. I’d do the same for you.”

      “If things don’t start looking up, that may happen sooner than you think.”

      Jess’s job wasn’t all that stable, which was one reason he was living as cheaply as possible, and in Ty’s way of thinking, that opened up opportunity. “Then you can try your luck on the circuit guilt free. You aren’t shirking your duty. Your duty shirked you.”

      Jess was not impressed with his brother’s argument. “Look.” He paused, and Tyler prepared himself for the lecture. “Look” followed by a silence meant something important was about to be imparted.

      “Don’t do anything to mess up Skye’s life. She’s had enough trouble.”

      Tyler waited for the rest. Nothing. He tilted his head, frowning a little. “Do you honestly think I want to mess up Skye’s life?”

      “I know you’re irritated at her for thinking the worst of you.”

      “Totally guilty.” He looked back across the arena as a bull came down the alleyway. “But I see this as an investment and a business proposition. If Skye’s life gets screwed up, so does mine.”

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