Cowboy Casanova - Lorelei James [111]
But he knew he’d never hear the end of it.
“These two are gonna tell me every fuckin’ thing they kept from me while we clean up the shit piles in Dad’s house since he ain’t here for awhile.”
When Dalton opened his mouth to protest, Brandt sent him a death glare.
Fun times.
Ben did call Quinn. He was pissy, in that silent, simmering silent way of his, which bothered Ben far worse than if Quinn had yelled and screamed.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The Wetzlers’ place was in view and against his better judgment, Ben pulled into the drive.
The trio of dogs yapped, but he shooed them aside, as he started up the porch steps.
Rielle stepped outside, and leaned against the porch support, her expression a mix of annoyance and wariness.
“I thought we had a deal, Rielle.”
“We had no deal.” She folded her arms over her chest. “I thought what we talked about was confidential.”
“It was.”
“Then how come your McKay cousins showed up, all charming cowboy smiles, with the aw-shucks, we’re all just neighbors attitude as they were mentally leveling my goddamn creek front and trying to decide how many cows they could run?”
“I’m not my cousins, Ree. You know that. I thought we were friends.”
“I thought so too.” She tossed her head, trying to keep the wind from her face. “But you have enough friends these days. New friends.”
“What?”
“Don’t play that game. I know you’re sleeping with Ainsley Hamilton. I’ve seen her car at your place several times in the last few weeks. And isn’t it a coincidence the bank she runs wouldn’t lend me the money I needed to keep my land? But I’ll bet she was more than happy to loan money to you so you could buy it.”
“So you’re what? Punishing me?”
“This isn’t about you, McKay.”
“I didn’t get you into the financial mess you’re in,” he retorted hotly, “and you don’t honestly believe I had dishonorable intentions when I offered to help bail you out of that situation.”
Rielle shivered. “I didn’t know what to believe. That was the problem.”
“Who’d you sell to?”
It appeared she wouldn’t answer and then she said, “I sold it to Gavin.”
Ben’s mouth nearly hit the porch slats. “Gavin? As in my brother Gavin?”
“Yes. He made me an offer…the same day you did, actually. I told him the same thing I told you. I’d think about it. Your cousins coming by last week made my decision. I called Gavin, we came to a verbal agreement and he paid off my note, that day, in its entirely, in cash. He’s having his real estate lawyer draw up the terms of sale.”
“Jesus. And you just trust him? You don’t know him, Ree. Not like you know us.”
She glared at him. “I’m not stupid, Ben. I’ve hired my own attorney to look over the agreement, and you can bet your ass that lawyer is not Ginger McKay.” Rielle shook her head. “Sorry. That was uncalled for. You have no idea how hard this has been on me.”
“Didn’t hafta be.”
Her eyes connected with a point over his shoulder. “Did I ever tell you the last thing my daddy said to me? Don’t sell the land to the McKays.”
“But you did anyway.”
“No, I sold it to Gavin. That man is about as far from a McKay as you can get.”
Stung by her cutting words, he shot back, “Sorry we’ve been such horrible neighbors for the last thirty years. Bet you won’t miss that.”
“Don’t say that,” she implored. “This is just business.”
Hadn’t Dalton and Tell said the same thing?
“Besides, I’m not going anywhere.”
“What?” Ben stared at her suspiciously. “You’re not moving out and Gavin is moving in?”
“No. Gavin agreed to divide the land. The creek front is mine so eventually I’ll be able to build on it. Since he’s not sure of his plans, long-term or short-term, I’ll continue living in the house just like I’ve been.”
“So nothin’ has changed for you,” he said dully.
“Everything has changed for me.”
Ben was at a loss. Feeling betrayed on many levels, by his cousin’s accusations, by his longtime friend, and by his brother. And since he didn’t know what to say, he turned and walked away.
Rielle’s shouted offer to finally pay him for the beds fell on deaf