Surrender (Steel Brothers Saga 6)

“They are. That’s Bay Crossing. But they also own a couple thousand acres that Angie’s ma inherited from an uncle. They live there now. Angie and Harper went to high school in Bakersville. Angie was in Chad’s class.”

“Was she after you then?”

“Heck no. She was too young, and I already told you I didn’t have any luck with girls in high school.”

“I still don’t understand that.”

“I was all arms and legs, darlin’. Didn’t fill out till later. Plus my eyes.”

“I love your eyes.”

“I’m glad. But most girls were just freaked out by them. I remember a certain little golden-haired tomboy who didn’t much like them.”

“Because you told me they’d melt my brain, you big bully!”

“Touché, darlin’. Anyway, Angie’s ma and my ma became good friends and decided it would be a really great thing to combine the two ranches. Well, neither my pa nor Angie’s would think about selling or partnering, so the women decided to push Angie and me together. This was a couple years ago.”

“Why you?”

“Dallas was already married to

Chelsea, and Chad was involved with someone else then.”

“And?”

“And I wasn’t seeing anyone at the time, and neither was she, so we decided to give it a try.”

“Were you attracted to her at all?”

“She’s a pretty girl. Not as hot as Mary Ann,” he teased. “We found out later the scheme wouldn’t have worked. Although I’d inherit my third of McCray Landing, Angie wouldn’t get her ranch. It will go to Harper. Angie and her sister Caitlyn will jointly inherit Bay Crossing, the one on the western slope.”

“Angie’s mother didn’t know any of this?”

“Nope.”

“But it was her ranch.”

“Owned jointly with her husband. Some men don’t confide in their wives.”

“Will you?”

“Darlin’, you’ll know everything that I do. Which sometimes is precious little.”

“So what happened? Why did Angelina break up with you?”

“She said she didn’t think I loved her.”

“Did you?”

“No.”

“So that’s how you come off bad in the story. You were willing to marry a woman you didn’t love.”

“I didn’t know what I was missing. I never loved anyone until you. Angie and I, we got along all right, and our mothers are so close, it just seemed the thing to do. I had affection for her.”

“You were willing to spend your life without love?”

“Why not? I didn’t know any better.” He grinned at her. “I do now.”