Harlequin Love Inspired March 2021--Box Set 1 of 2 by Marta Perry

Author:Marta Perry [Perry, Marta]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

These feelings for Eden were another unrealistic expectation waiting to destroy him.

Tuesday morning Ryder and Chris rode behind several cows and their young calves, encouraging them to join the rest of the herd. It was a cool, windy day, and he wore a black sweatshirt to protect himself from the chill. He wished he had something he could put on to protect his heart from these inconvenient feelings he had for Eden.

“Looks like we missed a few.” Chris nodded to another small bunch of cows and their calves hiding behind a hill near a stretch of cottonwoods.

Ryder followed him to the group, and together they pushed them along with the rest of the stragglers. As his horse trotted, he kept an eye on the cattle and let his mind wander.

He’d enjoyed having Eden’s parents over on Saturday. They’d treated Harper and Ivy like they were family. They’d treated him like he was, too. And ever since, he’d been thinking he liked the idea of being part of a bigger family. He liked the thought of the girls having grandparents.

But that desire took a distant second to what he’d felt when Eden had taken him to that beautiful piece of land. He could see why she was drawn to the place, and he’d been honored when she’d opened up her private thoughts to him. Her claim about having unrealistic expectations had struck him to the core.

He’d been let down by unrealistic expectations his entire life.

And for whatever reason, acknowledging it there—on the hill overlooking the prairie full of grass and wildflowers—had sent his attraction to Eden to a whole new level.

He’d almost kissed her.

The only thing that had stopped him was remembering the twins’ third birthday when Lily had told him she was leaving him. He’d been blindsided. Looking back, he wasn’t sure why. They’d had problems for years. The relationship had been all but over a few months after the twins were born.

But still…hearing Lily tell him she was leaving him, watching the movers come and pack her things, knowing she would be living with another man from that moment forward… It had taken an emotional toll.

He couldn’t afford another crippling emotional event at this point in his life. The twins needed him to be strong. They needed their daddy. They certainly didn’t have a mother to rely on.

“If we push ’em to the gate, we can do a quick check on the forty-five tag.” Chris looked bright-eyed today. “Is something wrong?”

“No, I’m fine.” He had to get his mind back on the cattle where it belonged. “I’ll open the gate.”

When they’d gotten the cattle through, they checked on the calf and headed back.

“Is it okay for me to kick off a little early on Friday?” Chris asked.

“Sure. You have plans with Trevor, right?” Ryder asked as they loped across the land. Yesterday, Chris had asked for the weekend off. Ryder had no problem giving it to him. He could handle this place without Chris for a few days. He still had part-time ranch hands to help out, and if he got desperate, he could always call Mason.

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