“It was very brave of you to say that,” he said, a hint of awe in his voice. “I know you’re aware of the stakes. What if I decide to screw over your town now that you’ve rejected me?”
Brenne came forward and wrapped her arms around his midsection. Putting her head against his chest, she hugged him tightly. “You’re not like that. I know you. You might be eccentric and much too smart for your own good, but you’re not evil by nature.”
“I don’t consider what my company does to be evil,” Gavin said with frustration in his voice. “Most towns welcome us with their arms open wide. We bring opportunity, wealth, and stability to the places where we build.”
“I know you do,” Brenne said, “but Whiskey River isn’t like those towns. We’ve got all the opportunity we need, and we’re wealthy in community. We’ve been stable for over a hundred years, and we’ll see the next hundred just the way we are.”
“That’s why I bought that farm. I think your prediction will turn out true. And I hope you don’t mind that I still plan on keeping it. It will be my base of operations from which I can speculate at cattle auctions.”
“I think you just told a joke,” Brenne said, poking him gently in the stomach. “Stick around this town much longer, and soon people will accuse you of having a sense of humor.”
Gavin placed a kiss on her forehead. “Whiskey River is special, just like you’re special. I’m not going to build my new green headquarters here because you’re right. The people who live in this town should have the only say in its future.”
Brenne smiled up at him, and Gavin grinned. She was about to thank him, but before she could, she was interrupted by the sound of someone clapping. Brenne turned to see Alex entering the stables. “Looks like the God of Commerce has smiled on us,” he said, his mouth smiling but his eyes full of fury. “You’ve deigned to let us mortals keep our paradise.” He bowed deeply as he came to a stop in front of them.
Brenne stepped away from Gavin, feeling like a rock was sitting inside of her stomach. Gavin, for his part, wasn’t pleased at the veterinarian’s entrance. “Doctor Parsons. Isn’t it a little late for house calls?”
“Says the billionaire who can’t seem to keep away from a lowly cattle ranch.” Alex looked him up and down, then turned his gaze on Brenne. “Well, it seems you both got what you wanted. Let’s see if you still want it, now that you’ve got it.”
“Alexander Parsons, what in the world are you talking about?” Anger flamed up inside her, but she tried to temper it for Gavin’s sake.
Gavin, however, seemed disinclined to continue the conversation. With a restrained look at Alex, he put his hands on her arms. “You should probably get changed if we’re going to make our reservations. I’ll go wait for the helicopter.” He gave Alex another look, then added, “I can’t wait to hear your opinion on which interior designer to hire for the new place. I’m sure you’ve got ideas.”
She was a little surprised at the addition, but Gavin had apparently known what he was doing because Alex’s face turned red. What is going on here? Brenne watched him leave the stables, making sure he was gone before turning back to Alex. “What has gotten into you?”
“I know all about your sordid little plan,” he said, his voice full of disgust. “My sister told me everything. The way you two schemed to seduce poor Gavin and convince him not to build his headquarters here.”
He was more agitated than she’d ever seen him. Alex threw up his hands, his voice growing louder. “My sister said you were going through with it, and I didn’t want to believe it. What a fool I was.”
“I’m not going through with it, dummy!” She put her hands on her hips so she didn’t strangle him with them.
“I just heard him tell you that he was going to build his company elsewhere. Then he said you’d talk about hiring an interior designer. Let me guess, for the Hough’s farm? We know he just bought it. Now it makes sense. You two needed a little love nest, didn’t you?”
“You’re an idiot,” she said, hanging the last water container in place. “Unfortunately, I don’t have time to play with you right now, Alex. You heard the man. We’re going to be late for dinner.”
CHAPTER 35
ALEX
Alex felt like he’d been run over with a two-ton tractor. His conversation with his sister had stirred up a hornet’s nest inside him. It had stung at his insides all day, until he knew he had to do something about it. After his last house call, he made a beeline for the MacAllen ranch, to put things to rights once and for all.
His plan had been to confront Brenne, to tell her that she didn’t have to seduce a billionaire to save the town. He hadn’t believed she’d do it, not really, but when he’d arrived and seen her in Gavin’s arms, he’d lost all rational sense. Jealousy had eaten him alive.
Worst of all, he was too late. Gavin was already hooked, promising to leave the town alone. Now Brenne was bound to him, regardless of what she really felt, because the town relied on her staying on Gavin’s good side.
Soon enough, she’d be moving into the Hough’s place and shacking up with Gavin. Until he eventually whisked her away to somewhere else. Somewhere expensive, where the menus were filled with unpronounceable words and silver spoons were ubiquitous.
Gavin Jeffries had won.
His gut was filled with acid, devouring him from the inside out. Alex watched her leave the stable, defeat holding him back. No, an inner voice counseled. There’s still no ring on her finger. Fair game.
Alex followed her, his long strides allowing him to catch up easily. “You don’t have to do this.” His voice was urgent. “We’ll figure something else out.”
“There’s nothing to figure out,” she said, picking up her pace. “You heard Gavin. The town is safe. Nobody has to worry anymore. So you can go home and rest easy tonight.”
“Brenne, just stop and talk to me.” His frustration was palpable. “You’re going to move in with him, aren’t you? You don’t have to sacrifice yourself for Whiskey River. There’s no—”
“I’m not a goddamn martyr, Alex. No one is sacrificing anything, except maybe you sacrificing your dignity right now. And if I did decide to move in with Gavin Jeffries, it would have nothing to do with saving the town.”
Her words were like a knife in his gut. “You’re saying you’re not with him because of the town then? You’re with him because you want to be?”
“Alex, I’m not having this conversation right now. I’m busy.” Brenne’s face was harder than a stone wall.
“You can’t expect me to believe you’re satisfied with him,” Alex blurted. “Not after the times we’ve been together. You left your date to make love to me in the Grange office, remember?”
“And you’re going to spend your life throwing that in my face?” She let out a groan of pure angst. “Get the hell away from me, Alex Parsons!”
He ignored her, grabbing her wrist to slow her down. “Brenne, you’re never going to convince me that you love that man. I would sooner believe that you were with him for his money.”