Christmas With The Cowboy

“Separation, not quitting. It was time” was his flat response.

Time for what?

Aloud she simply said, “Okay.” Though, in truth, it wasn’t okay at all.

While Zach’s face remained expressionless, Emma’s gut said that something wasn’t right, and it involved his obvious injury. After all, this was the guy who ate, drank and slept navy for twelve years.

“What are you going to do next?”

“I’m tossing around a few options,” he returned.

Her eyes widened as she latched on to his response. “You have RangePro. That’s an option.”

In an instant, he tensed. Then he glanced around. “Really, Emma? You want to do this here? Now?”

“We’re only talking.”

He rubbed the dark shadow of a beard on his jaw. “Talking, huh? Feels more like an interrogation.”

“Don’t exaggerate.” She began to turn away, taking the stroller with her, when Zach’s hand caught her arm.

“Emma, RangePro is Steve’s company. Not mine.”

She eased from his touch. “Legally, you’re a partner. Fifty-fifty.”

Zach met her gaze. “I haven’t cashed a single check you’ve sent me. What part of ‘buy me out’ don’t you get?”

“Did you look at any of the paperwork I mailed you?”

“I’ve been all over the globe the last few years. I don’t have the time or desire to shuffle through paperwork about a company I don’t want anything to do with.”

She took a deep breath. “The terms of the will state we own together or we sell together.”

“Great. We sell. I’m sure the money will come in handy for you and your girls.”

“It’s not about the money. I am not selling what Steve worked so hard to build.”

“RangePro was Steve’s dream, and Steve is gone,” he returned, his voice sober.

Emma bit her lip as she glanced down at her daughters, but she said nothing.

“Come on, Em. I’m not interested in RangePro and you’ve got to be way too busy with the ranch and the twins to run a livestock software company.”

“If you’d give me a chance to show you—”

“Emma, it’s a desk job. No way am I riding the range behind a laptop.”

“That’s not necessarily true.”

“Not interested.” Zach raised both hands. “And not staying long enough to care.”

His eyes became steely and the set of his chin obstinate. The discussion was over. For now.

Frustrated, Emma turned away.

Three years after his brother’s death and Zach was back. Though the thought of him being around permanently unsettled her, Emma would do whatever it took to save the legacy of her children’s father. She knew what it was like to have your parents’ memory swept away as though they never existed. No, she refused to be the one to auction off Steve’s life work to the highest bidder, as though it meant nothing.

* * *

Zach tugged his leather gloves into place and adjusted the reins on the chestnut gelding. He had completely underestimated Emma. And her effect on him.

She was as beautiful as ever with dark tumbling hair that framed an oval face. If only he’d remembered not to look into her chocolate-brown eyes.

The moment he did, it was all over. He was lost. A teenager again, following her around like an overgrown Labrador retriever. The moment he realized that she had eyes only for Steve he’d respected her decision. Yet, that never stopped him from pining from afar like a sap. It wasn’t coincidence that he joined the navy soon after Steve and Emma called to announce their engagement.

Although it was a secret he kept hidden, the truth was that he had wasted too much of his life in love with Emma. He refused to allow this trip to dredge up feelings he had purposely tossed overboard years ago.

Her entreaty from this morning echoed in his head, making him feel like a jerk all over again.

He was here and Steve was gone. How was it his brother managed to shadow his life, even after death?

And why couldn’t she let it go? RangePro. Like he needed another guilt trip. The irony burned and had dogged him every single day since the car accident that claimed his half brother’s life.

The whys were doubling up on him.

Why was he still alive? Why had he made it out of Afghanistan and why hadn’t his best friend?

God hadn’t been forthcoming in the answer department of late.

Zach looked up at the jingle of tack and met Travis’s smiling face as his friend approached on a black mustang.

“How do you like Zeus?” Travis asked.

“A little headstrong. So we’re well matched.”

Travis laughed. “Our equine manager, Tripp Walker, is pretty intuitive. He paired you up with a horse that suits your disposition.”

“Quiet guy, that Tripp.”

“To say the least.”

“If you’re the boss around here, why are you working on a Sunday?” Zach asked.

“I could give you a dozen reasons.” He began to tick off on his fingers. “Getting married and going on a honeymoon put me behind on everything, for one. Then there’s fall calving season. Oh, and preparation for the Holiday Roundup. That’s gearing up here real quick, too.” Travis shook his head. “I start my days behind.”

“Holiday Roundup?” Zach asked.

“Christmas, pal. Huge around here.”