Warmth spread through him. He hadn’t known they’d thought of him like that. He’d always been a little self-conscious since the guys came from big, happy families, and he’d only had Sam. How many times had Jaime left practice early because his mom wanted him home for a birthday or graduation party? Or couldn’t hang out after school because he had to take his sister somewhere, or his brother needed help breaking a mustang?
He’d envied their obligations. Worse, he’d found it embarrassing that he didn’t have any. Not that he hadn’t loved his grandfather. He had. But it had just been the two of them.
“I can’t believe you thought Kurt would give the biggest privately-owned piece of land in Wyoming to someone he felt sorry for.”
“Like I said, he wanted back-up in case his daughter tried to sell it.”
Jaime nodded. “And he chose you because you’re the best of all of us. You’re the honorable one, the guy with the best judgement.”
“Oh, come on. Booker was the Valedictorian. He was the superstar. He’s the only one of us who got drafted out of high school.”
“Yeah, he’s driven to succeed. But you’re driven to do what’s right. And that’s why Kurt chose you. But also, let’s just be honest here for a second. You were drafted, too. You just wanted to go to college first.”
“Okay.” He’d already been determined to win the contest, but Jaime had just reinforced it. “I’ve got to get back to work.”
“See, that right there. You’re honoring the terms of the will. Not everyone would do that. I’ll bet the daughter’s not doing shit.”
He thought about her sitting in the shade and selling lemonade.
But then he thought about her parents, how they’d cut her off for not marrying a rich guy. And how she not only lost her dad, but he was making her fight for her rightful inheritance. “She just lost her father.”
Jaime waved a hand dismissively. “She blew him off a long time ago. Did you see her shed a single tear during that funeral?”
Declan hadn’t cried, either, but that’s because there was something missing in him. Every day after his parents died, he’d walk to the end of the driveway and wait for them to come home. People tried to explain that they’d never come back, and he’d ignore them, convinced the next car would be their white KIA.
The adults would sit on the porch and discuss him. Why’s he doing this? How do we get through to him? Has he cried yet?
And he’d never forget his grandfather’s response. “That’s one determined kid. His will’s so strong, I half-expect them to come back myself.”
He didn’t say any of that to Jaime, though. Instead, he said, “We all process grief differently, and she’s got a lot to deal with.”
“Come on, she’s a gold digger. She’s here for the money.”
“Hello.” Phinny.
Her voice sent a shockwave through him.
Holding a cake box, she stood beside the table with a bright smile. She thrust her hand out to Jaime. “I saw you in the lawyer’s office yesterday, but we haven’t properly met. I’m Seraphina Crutchley, the gold digger.”
Chapter Seven
Jaime got up so fast, his chair screeched on the hardwood floor. “Jaime Dupree, local asshole. I’m sorry about that. I don’t know the first thing about you.”
“You know that I blew Kurt off a long time ago, and you were close to him, so I understand where your loyalties lie. And considering I do plan to sell the ranch when I win the contest, I’m quite sure no one here will think highly of me. But it’s not a popularity contest, is it?” She turned to Declan. “I just wanted to let you know I picked up the cake. I’ll wait outside for you.”
With her scent lingering, Declan watched her go, his opinion of her changing with every encounter.
“She’s really going to do it.” Jaime looked almost fearful. “She’s going to sell Kurt’s ranch?”
“Not on my watch.” He got up. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
“Come by the rink tomorrow. Meet the guys.”
“Will do.” Declan headed out into the bright sunlight and found Phinny sitting on a bench right outside Calamity Joe’s. A group of backpackers loaded up a van, and several people gathered around Coco’s Chocolates’ kiosk.
Standing behind her, he looked down at the top of her head. Sunshine gleamed on the naturally blond locks. “You ready to shop?”
“Sure am.” She lifted the bakery box. “I had them take it off your credit card, and I paid with mine.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
She got up and looked across to the town green. “I don’t remember it being so busy here.”
She was right about that. Calamity had seen explosive growth over the years. Everything was much more upscale. Now, they had a gourmet food store and a charming, European-style chocolate shop.
“My mum always called it a low-end ski town.”
“Low end? No, it’s never been that. Look at those mountains. Calamity’s always been a destination for hardcore skiers.” Her mom had done a number on her. They got back in the Jeep and headed out of town. “This is some of the most radical terrain you’ve ever seen.”
“You ski?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“You do all the dangerous stuff, huh?”
“Used to. Not so much anymore.”
“The most dangerous thing I’ve ever done is ride a horse.”
“I thought it was defying your parents?”
She cut him a look, clearly still not sure she could trust him. But when she saw his teasing expression, she relaxed. “You’re right about that. I never in a million years thought they’d cut me off from everything.”
“It doesn’t make a lot of sense. They raised you to be a certain way. If they wanted to teach you a lesson, why not do it gradually?”
“Because they really, really wanted me to marry Cameron.”
“Yeah, but this isn’t the eighteen-hundreds. We don’t marry for business alliances anymore.”
“It’s more than an alliance. My stepfather’s business hinges on theirs. And I did date Cameron for three years.”
“So? People date for longer than that and don’t wind up married.”
“Everyone had expectations, and when I broke them …” She hunched a shoulder. “I guess I came off looking like a frivolous party girl who’d used and abused the great Cameron Lumley. It’s complicated.”
“Is it, though? If your kid said she didn’t love some guy, would you get all bent out of shape and cut her off?” He slowed for a red light.
“No, I wouldn’t.” Smiling, she tipped her head back and closed her eyes against the bright sun. “Thank you. I didn’t know how much I needed to hear an outsider’s perspective on it.”
When it turned green, he accelerated. “Look, clearly, Kurt didn’t know your financial situation when he wrote up his will. I’m not going to hold you to working on the ranch if you need to get a full-time job.”