Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 114068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
“Preston Rankin.” He gives me a once-over before shoving his hand in my direction. “Huh. A real cowboy.” He glances at Wheeler. “Didn’t think you were telling the truth.”
I give him a handshake that’s firm enough to border on pain. “I’m a real cowboy, yes. Nice to meet you, Preston. I’m Duke Rivers. Welcome to my family’s ranch.”
“It’s so beautiful!” Mrs. Rankin lifts her arms, clearly inviting me in for a hug. “You are too, Duke. Goodness, Wheeler, you should’ve warned me he was this handsome.”
“Fran,” the man behind her groans. He’s a rotund version of Preston, right down to the polo embroidered with a country club emblem and those dumbass boat shoes.
Who wears those things to a ranch?
“It’s all right.” Laughing, I give her the hug she’s looking for. “I see where Wheeler gets her good looks from. Y’all could be sisters.”
“Shameless,” Wheeler says, but when I lean back, I see that she’s smiling. “Haines! Hi!”
Her younger brother launches himself into her arms. “God, I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.” Her voice is a little thin.
Haines gives me a hug next. “You sure you’re ready for this?” he whispers.
I laugh. “I’m sure.”
He steps aside, but Mr. Rankin stays awkwardly in place.
“Sir.” I extend my hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Eyeing me, he takes my hand. “Tim Rankin.”
“I’m grateful y’all took the time to come all the way out here. How was the drive?”
“Oh, I drove. Please call me Frannie, by the way.” Wheeler’s mom smiles up at me. “And the ride was fine.”
Interesting. This man has the gall to not even split the drive with the woman he’s put through hell.
“Glad to hear it. Why don’t y’all come inside?” Patsy opens the door a little wider. “We’ll get you settled, and then we’ll get you fed.”
Tim makes a noise, like he’s already fed up. “Not sure that we’re hungry.”
“Dad, if you wanna lie down, go lie down. The rest of us will eat.” I can tell Haines is trying very hard not to roll his eyes.
I grab Wheeler’s hand again. Preston watches me do it, his expression carefully neutral.
“I need to use the facilities,” he says, then brushes past me inside. Tim follows closely behind.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Frannie says. “I just need to get our luggage—”
“I’ll get your luggage.” I glance over my shoulder. Were Tim and Preston going to come out after lunch to get the bags? Or were they really going to let Frannie carry it all in?
“Tim has a bad back,” she says, reading my mind. “And Preston will help after he uses the restroom. I don’t mind, really—”
“But I do mind you carrying everyone else’s bags.” I meet eyes with Wheeler. Her jaw twitches. I get why she’s pissed. “Y’all head inside. I’ll set your luggage in your rooms and meet you in the kitchen.”
Wheeler’s brows curve upward. “You sure? I can—”
“You won’t. And yes, I’m sure.”
“I’m sorry they suck,” she says.
“Wheeler.” Frannie gives her a look.
Wow, lots of family dynamics happening here. No wonder Wheeler’s been such a mess.
We have the world’s most awkward lunch ever with my brothers and their wives and girlfriends in the kitchen. My family is predictably loud, but they also go out of their way to be friendly. Ava tries to engage Tim on his work, but he responds with one-word answers. He also takes one bite of his chicken salad—I made it with red grapes, walnuts, and celery, and it’s out-of-this-world good—then drops his fork and pushes away his plate, clearly pissed.
Sawyer meets my eyes across the table. What’s his deal?
Wheeler, meanwhile, is literally sweating as she tries to keep the conversation going. Preston quietly sips his water as his gaze wanders around the kitchen. I’m sure he’s assessing how much everything costs and in turn how wealthy we are.
A lot richer than you, dickhead.
Haines is the first to jump up and offer to help do dishes. Grateful the meal is finally over, I start to grab plates too. Wheeler tries to help, but I shoo her away.
“Rest.” I place her plate in the crook of my elbow. “Go put your feet up if you need to, yeah?”
That’s when I catch Tim watching me, his eyes narrowed.
Shit. Did I just give us away? Wheeler told her parents we were dating, but they obviously don’t know about the baby yet.
“I know everyone’s tired,” I add swiftly. “Your rooms are ready, so feel free to lie down for a bit.”
Cash stops me on the way to the sink. “You got this?” he murmurs, glancing over his shoulder. “Seems like a tough crowd.”
“I’m fine. It’s Wheeler I’m worried about.” I look at my girlfriend, whose posture tells me everything I need to know: stiff expression, shoulders slumped. Defeat is written all over her.
My chest clenches. If I didn’t know why Wheeler loved travel before, I do now: she wanted to get the hell out of the house she was raised in.