Second Chance Rancher & Fake Dating, Twin Style by J. Margot Critch

Author:J. Margot Critch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-01-20T19:59:37+00:00

* * *

As a rule, she never went to Nick’s office. Maybe it was because she still thought of it as her dad’s office, which was ridiculous, as her father had died eleven years prior, a few weeks before she’d turned eighteen. She had been a kid, but his death had turned her into an adult. Truth was, she didn’t remember the moment it had stopped being Dad’s and started becoming Nick’s,

The change had happened gradually. At first, Nick only took board meetings in the penthouse. Then he’d graduated to sharing drinks with customers or prospective clients, often Japanese businessmen or prominent members of the Texan cattle community. Before long, he’d restocked the minibar with his favorite whiskey and then begun replacing the art. Gone were the abstract paintings her dad had admired; now the office was plastered in photography. His favorite subject was horses, the most recent addition a large picture of the Pryor Mountain mustangs that Jackson, her second oldest brother, was domesticating on the wild plains to the east of their property.

Amelia shifted in the tufted vintage armchair opposite the large mahogany desk her brother occupied and tried to focus on what he had to say.

“So, you see, Amelia, with reservations plummeting and the Japanese interest in our Wagyu beef operation, converting the meadow to pasture would allow us to increase the herd by forty percent with minimal clear-cutting. It’s the only logical option.”

Amelia was sweating and hoped her brother didn’t notice.

“The only logical option,” she repeated.

“Mia, there’s no need to be dramatic. Besides, shouldn’t you be relieved? It’s not like you need to work.” Nick sighed.

“Is that what you think of me?”

Wasn’t that what everyone thought of her? Another rich girl living on her family’s wealth, good for nothing but photo ops and galas? And let’s not forget the embarrassing divorce that she couldn’t even manage to finalize on her own... Couple that with the extortion she was facing...

Nick exhaled a sigh heavy with expiring patience. “I thought you’d be relieved. To be honest, we all did—”

“You all did? The whole family got together behind my back?”

Was that why Evie had come home?

“There is no need to be dramatic about it. We were worried. You haven’t been yourself lately.”

“Well, you’ll excuse me if navigating the divorce process has left me a little less chipper.”

“Precisely. Maybe you should focus on yourself for a little while, let me manage the resort, wind it into the cattle operations, and give you more time to focus on what’s important to you.”

Because earning her own livelihood couldn’t possibly be important to her? Amelia twisted her middle finger, pulling it until she felt the satisfying pop of the knuckle. Saying nothing, she repeated the action again, watching as Nick flinched with each pop. He’d always hated when she cracked her knuckles.

“I handled things the way I needed to. My divorce was my business. For the last time, I don’t want to talk about it. And as for earning a living, I’m not asking for your understanding, so don’t ask me for an explanation.

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