Stealing Hearts (Wild at Heart #1)(14)

“What are you gonna do? Living with the Walker brothers won’t be easy. They’re messy, loud, and handsome as hell.”

“They’re definitely messy.” There are toys everywhere, mud on the floor, crumbs on the island, and dishes in the sink. But if Rhett pays me to work in the office, I suppose I could help out in the house too. I can’t judge him. Running this ranch is a lot, and between that, raising his kids, and dealing with his father’s passing, I’m sure it’s been overwhelming.

She gets quiet. “Is Maverick home yet?”

Baylee’s always had a thing for the youngest Walker brother, who’s our age. They call each other their best friends—other than me, that is—but they have crazy sexual tension. But Mav’s not ready to settle down, and Baylee won’t put up with him having extracurricular activities. Not that they’ve ever discussed it. They just dance around each other in this weird love-hate relationship.

“No, he’s not back. Mav’s probably still partying at school.”

We both know what that’s code for—hooking up.

“Whatever. I’ve decided to get on dating apps. I’m gonna get over that asshole once and for all.”

“Good for you.”

“Okay, enough about my sad love life. What are you going to do about your Walker brother problem?”

“I’m not sure it would be healthy to stay. I don’t want to get wrapped up in Rhett again.” I glance around the beautiful log house. It’s old and worn down, but the bones are great. I’ve always loved the Walker Ranch. They have acres and acres of rolling hills that sit along the western part of the Eden River where we all used to go rafting on lazy Sunday afternoons.

When I was young, I used to fantasize about living here. Rhett and his brothers always made me feel so safe, and when I’d visit, I could envision a life free from Irma and her toxic ways.

Running through the pasture and riding horses felt like coming home. The memory of Rhett smiling at me when I learned to trot one of the horses was the image I’d conjure when Irma would go off on me in her drunken rants. In my mind, I’d escape to the Walker Ranch where I’d raise chickens or cook one of my mama’s recipes I found hidden under the kitchen sink.

As I got older, that morphed into having a family and life here with Rhett.

Which was pure delusion.

Now it feels like some cruel joke. Do I even want that for myself anymore?

Those can’t be the reasons I do this.

It’s fake, Paige. Not real. You’ll get a job and physical therapy while Rhett saves his ranch. It’s what Danny would’ve wanted.

I rub the steady throb against my temple.

Baylee hums. “So… would this be a platonic situation, or would you fuck Rhett’s brains out?”

“There would be no fucking of any kind. This is a business deal. He even spelled it out for me. Six months, we get his banker Harlan to buy into this, I rehab my ankle, and then we file for divorce.”

“Harlan Calhoun? My mother went to him to get a loan for our salon, but he turned her down. So if he’s willing to give Rhett a loan, he must believe in him.”

I believe in him too. I’m not sure how their financial situation got so bad, but I do know how hard he and his brothers work. Rhett breaks his back every day to keep the ranch running. I knew that even as a child.

The thought of him losing this place chokes me up. What would he do if he didn’t have the ranch? Where would his brothers go? Could that jeopardize Rhett’s custody of his boys?

Do I want to be responsible for letting that happen?

A door slams outside, and I lean up to see a shiny Audi parked next to Rhett’s old truck. A beautiful blonde steps out of it. Amber.

“Hey, the Wicked Witch just got here. I need to go hide.”

She chuckles. “Really? I’d pounce on Rhett, climb him like a koala bear, and give him an open-mouthed kiss that would set her hair on fire.”

I shake my head. My best friend is crazy. “Go back to your convention. I’ll call you later.”

“Love you.”

“Love you too. Be safe.” I hang up and tuck my phone in my bra.

Another car door slams, and two little boys go bounding toward their father, who kneels down to hug them. When he stands, they’re still clinging to him.

The look of pure joy on his face squeezes something in my chest. The front window is cracked open, and I can hear his sons’ laughter.

But the smile on Rhett’s face freezes when Amber sidles up to him. “I need to pick up the boys’ sleeping bags.” She toys with a long strand of hair. “What are you doing this week? Wanna come with us to the lake?”

I thought Rhett hated Amber. Why is she inviting him on her vacation?

“Amber, we talked about this,” he says gruffly as he steps around her.

“Why can’t we spend time together as a family? Why is that so bad?”

There’s a pleading in her voice that surprises me. Why is she begging Rhett to hang out when she’s the one who cheated?

I can hear his frustration when he grunts, “I’m not doing this with you again.”

“You know what? Forget it. You never had time for me when we were married, so I don’t know why I thought you’d have time now.”

Ouch. As much as I dislike this woman, a part of me feels bad for her. Maybe she regrets cheating on Rhett.