“Wow.” She got up. “Wow, wow, wow. Five seconds ago, everything was so perfect, and now…I don’t even know what to say.” She dragged her fingers through her hair. “I have to work this out. I’m nowhere near the right person to take over for Kurt, but then again, if I give you the land, you won’t have the money to start the training camp, so—”
Declan shook his head. “No. Take me out of the equation.”
“What? No, it’s something we should talk about.” He saw the plea in her eyes. Talk to me.
But something hardened in him, and he didn’t know why. All he knew was she had to make this decision on her own.
As she paced to the window, Declan noticed the attorney’s strange expression, and it made him realize he’d turned cold. He didn’t mean to do that. It was an automatic thing for him. But he couldn’t behave like that if he had a hope in hell of staying with her. He had to communicate. If they were a couple, they had to make decisions together.
But his legs felt like sandbags, and he couldn’t get up. He couldn’t even look at her.
His heart beat painfully. He almost didn’t want to hear her decision. He’d rather stay in tortured limbo than hear a choice that might destroy the only true happiness he’d ever known.
Because from the very start, he’d believed once she had the money, she’d leave. And as close as they’d become, as much as he trusted her feelings for him, his gut told him she just didn’t belong here.
She’d been thrown into a strange situation, forced to stay, and Phinny wasn’t the type to whine or feel sorry for herself. She was an optimist. She had a cheerful nature. Like her parents cutting her off, she’d made the best of this situation.
And if it came with an accommodating roommate who liked to give her orgasms, then all the better. But he wasn’t a good enough reason to stay in Wyoming. Not only were they too different, but this place would get boring fast. Eventually, she’d go back to her posh life in London, marry someone from her world, and live her mom’s life of philanthropy, travel, and social events.
The walls closed in, and his clothes grew tight, itchy. He wanted to get out of this office. Change. Get back out on the ice. Hockey, he understood. Skating fast and hard cleared his thoughts, wiped his emotions.
“Okay.” She faced them with a smile that radiated confidence.
In a game, right before he got slammed into the boards, his body girded for the hit. It was doing that right then—as it heated up, his knuckles turning white where he gripped the armrest—right before she said the words that would seal his fate.
Choose the land.
Choose me.
For fuck’s sake, Phinny, choose us.
“I’m going to take the money. And give Declan the ranch.”
Phinny had expected him to be thrilled—he got the land that meant so much to him—but on the drive home, Declan was quiet. Contemplative.
The funny thing was that it hadn’t been a hard choice at all. Once she’d calmed down from the shock of it all, she’d known exactly how it needed to go.
Or at least she thought she had. “Hey, did I make the wrong choice?”
He pulled up to the gate and waited for it to swing open. “There was no wrong choice. So, what’re you going to do with the money?”
“Never eat ramen again?”
He didn’t even smile. Just tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
“I’d like to start that business.”
He nodded, hitting the accelerator and driving through.
“I know I don’t have experience, but like you said, I can hire an attorney and an accountant.” She didn’t even know what she needed. That’s how ignorant I am. “I’ll talk to Glori. She’ll help me come up with a game plan.”
Not all the RVs had left yet, and a group of people sat on picnic tables laughing and telling stories. Adorably, the two women with the loom still wore their costumes.
“Declan? You don’t seem happy.”
He reached for her hand. “Sorry. It’s been a hell of a month, and this was an outcome I hadn’t anticipated.”
“No, me neither. But can you at least tell me what you’re thinking?”
“Owning Kurt’s ranch is a big responsibility.”
Oh, God. What if she’d misunderstood? He’s a hockey player. What if the last thing in the world he wants is to run a ranch? “Did I get this all wrong?” Maybe he’d only wanted the land to keep her from selling it. Wasn’t that why he’d worked with her this whole time? So she could learn about her history and ultimately win? He’d wanted her to keep up her dad’s research and everything that went into creating a model of future ranching and farming technology. “Have I just burdened you?”
“Not at all. I’m honored to continue this for him.”
“Then what’s wrong?” She lifted a knee onto her seat and turned toward him. “Please tell me.”
“Nothing. I’m just looking forward to telling everyone they’re not losing their jobs. It’s all good.”
“Yes, that’s good, but I’m not so sure we are. You’ve pulled away.”
In the driveway, he cut the engine but didn’t get out. “That’s fair. It’s just…you’ve got a lot of money now.”
“Yeah. So?” That’s a good thing, right? Oh, wait. Of course. He had the land but not the funds. He needed to borrow some of it. “How much do you think you’ll need for the training center?” She didn’t think the investment would earn out anytime soon, but she’d help him however she could. “I’d like a nest egg of ten million dollars or so that I never touch, but I’d be happy to help however I can.”
“What? No. I don’t want your money. I don’t ever…that’s not what I’ve been thinking about.” He leaned over and kissed her on the mouth. “I’m sorry. I’ve been in my own head.” He blew out a slow breath. “Instead of asking you, I’ve been making assumptions about your next move. I know you’ve had a good time out here, but it’s not home. It’s not the lifestyle you’re used to. And you’re never going to find that here.”
“Oh, I get it. So, what you’re saying is I’m rich now, I can call up Verity and the girls and see if they want to hang out. I can hire a cook and a driver and spend my days shopping. God, Declan. Is that really how you see me?”
“No. Of course not.” He almost sounded offended.
“Then what?” But she didn’t give him a chance to answer. She was too worked up. “My thought process was that we’re in this together. That’s what you said, right? We’re in this together. So, I thought about our highest values. For you, it’s roots. For me, it’s financial security.” Okay, you know what? Nothing she said would convince him she’d changed, so she’d have to go with actions.
Pulling out her phone, she searched her recent calls. She hadn’t told him yet—things had been crazy between the festival and the contest—but she’d gotten the job. Mrs. Lumley had left a voicemail two days ago saying they could offer her a small stipend. She hadn’t responded.