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“Anyway, I don’t know if my dad told you, but I actually opened a supply business in San Antonio.”
He knew that much but smiled at the kindness she’d paid him in changing subjects.
“I heard something about that. Well, if you’re not decorating houses, what do you do to feed that creative monster—what’d you name him? Fred?”
She laughed again and tossed the last bite of tart in her mouth. They’d joked about Fred the summer they’d been together and how, after Bennett got back from Texas Tech, they were going to invite the guy to live with them so Maggie could draw and design while Bennett took over his half of his father’s ranch.
Obviously, life had other plans for both of them.
“Man, I haven’t thought about Fred in so long,” she said through giggles. “He was always a hungry monster.”
“What do you mean, was? I’ve seen that guy eat. No way he’s not still chompin’ at the bit.”
The mood shifted, and Maggie’s smile went flat.
“He is. Just not in the same way. At some point I realized it wasn’t practical to keep feeding something that wasn’t going to pay off. So, I switched tack and gave the guy something else to munch on.”
Wow. The girl I loved would never have settled like that.
“Got it. Practicality over passion. Just never figured it from you if I’m being honest.”
Maggie’s eyes went wide, and her cheeks flushed red. Sitting there in her father’s robe, her hair a mess and her face contorted as if he’d physically hurt her instead of pointing out the obvious; she looked like the girl who’d left him behind all those years ago.
He opened his mouth to apologize for continuing to step in it with her, but she stood without making a sound and put her hands on her hips.
“I should’ve known,” she whispered. Her voice was quiet, but he wouldn’t dare describe it as meek.
“Known what?”
“That you’d be disappointed no matter how successful I became. I graduated first in my class in high school and college, started a business, all while helping my dad plan improvements for his ranch.” Her soft voice gave way to one a lot stronger—and lined with resentment. “But it’s not enough for you because I’m not all starry-eyed like I was back then. Well, you can keep your regret. I’m proud of what I’ve done. And more than that, I love it. You might not see Fred in anything other than my decorating, but he’s in every piece of machinery I touch, every design I come up with. Sorry my dream changed, Bennett, but I’m even more sorry yours didn’t. Because you sure don’t look like you love it anymore.”
“I’m sorry, Maggie. I—”
“Nope.” She shook her head. “You can keep that, too.”
He’d lost this battle. Time to concede. “Fine. I won’t bring it up again.”
“Why’re you here, anyway? ’Cause I’ve got plenty to do without you coming in and making me feel bad for doing the same thing you did.” She paused and took a deep, wavering breath.
Didn’t she know?
“To buy the ranch.”
They stared at each other.
“The ranch my father left me after dying less than a week ago? You’re sticking with that?”
He nodded. It was the truth, no use hiding from it.
Maggie paced behind the threadbare couch. “Jesus. Do you realize how insensitive that is?”
“I do, but I also know you have a life to get back to, and I can help that.”
She paused, and the air stilled. “How so? It’ll take at least a month to get this place in working order and to clear the violations with the board.”
“You’re right, but to be honest, even with help, it’ll take two months or more. This place is in shambles, Maggie.”
“I know.”
