Hard-Riding Cowboy (Kinky Spurs 3)

Megan dropped her cheek onto Emma’s shoulder. “This baby is doing weird things to me.”

“Emotional things aren’t always bad things,” said Emma, leaning away. “What happened?”

“Nothing to warrant the waterworks,” Megan said, moving to the bar. “I was thinking about how things used to be when you two worked here and how much has changed.” She paused, feeling that same strangling sensation rise up in her throat. She cleared her throat to wash it away, and asked Harper, “I take it you also heard what happened with Nash and my dad and that’s why you’re here?”

Harper smiled softly. “Just doing what good friends do and checking in.”

Oh, no.

More tears flooded Megan’s face. She laughed, slightly unnerved by the number of tears she’d shed lately. “I don’t even know who I am. This baby is making me so mushy. Thank you for being such good friends.”

Emma gave Megan another quick squeeze. “Well, you’re a good friend back, so we’re all a lucky bunch.” She returned to the stool she’d been sitting on, her purse resting atop the bar.

Megan took the chair at the table closest to them. A sudden bout of heartburn shot up her throat, causing her to clear it again. She reached into her purse and popped a couple of antacids into her mouth.

“That’s new,” Harper pointed out.

Megan nodded. “Just this morning. I really hope it doesn’t last. It feels like my throat’s on fire.” She exhaled deeply then shook her arms out, forcing the unexpected emotion away. “So, I guess you want to know what happened, right?”

Harper nodded.

So did Emma, leaning forward with interest. “I only got bits and pieces of everything from Shep.”

Megan relaxed back in the chair and crossed her legs. She gave Bethany a wave as she stocked the bar, then looked back at the girls. “Before we get into all of the family stuff, the sellers accepted my offer on the house. Now I’m waiting on all the financing stuff.”

“That’s amazing news,” Harper said.

Emma nodded. “So super-exciting.”

Obviously understanding that the conversation was private, Bethany headed into the backroom. Harper waited for her to vanish through the door, then her expression turned curious. “Did your dad help you out with the down payment, then?”

Megan went to smile and speak, but her voice came out in a choked sob. “I’m sorry,” she eventually managed. She drew in another long breath then admitted the hardest truth. “I sold my grandmother’s ring to the pawn shop this morning to get enough for the down payment.” She glanced down at her bare hand feeling naked. Exposed. In the worst way possible. “It’s the right thing to do, I know that, but selling the ring . . .” She inhaled and exhaled slowly. “The ring wa

s really special to me. But everything’s just crazy with Nash and my dad, and I need to have this safe space the baby and I can live in.”

Harper gave a soft nod. “You’re doing what a good mom does.”

Emma nodded too, albeit with the saddest eyes Megan had ever seen. “I’m sorry that this is all happening to you. But I feel like this is a good step in the right direction.”

“Yup,” Megan agreed, even though nothing really felt right. “We tried to make it work, right? I can’t fault either Nash or my dad for that, but it’s not going to happen. They cannot get along, no matter what I do.”

Harper frowned.

Emma looked full of pity. She finally inhaled sharply and gave a bright smile. “It’ll be okay. I just know it. Things always work out for good people, and you are good people, Megan.”

“Always the optimist.” Megan forced a smile.

Emma gave a small shrug. “Someone’s gotta be, and I feel it in my bones; this is all going to work out just fine. Besides, you’ve got an awesome house now that you love. You’ve got this amazing bar that everyone in town enjoys. You’ve got Nash, who has always loved you like crazy. A family who adores you. And you’ve got this sweet little baby on the way.”

Megan nodded, placing her hands on her ever-growing belly. “Yes, I do.” That was what occurred to her when Nash showed up at the farm, ready to decapitate her father. For as long as she could remember, she’d endured the feud. Hated it with a passion. But endured it. She didn’t need to anymore, she realized.

All she had to do was make the choice to stay out of it. And now she had. On her terms. And that felt good.

“Fudge nuggets.”

Harper burst out laughing.

Emma snickered, a hand over her face.