Page 129 of Sunrise & Serenity

I take a hard step forward. He’s asking for trouble speaking to her like that, especially when he doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about.

“Moving forward is what’ll keep ranches alive.” The words come out rougher than I intend. “The world is changing. You think if we want to survive, we’re not going to have to change with it?”

He scoffs. “By turning it into a playground for rich city people?”

“No,” I shoot back. “By not sticking our heads in the sand. By adapting before we all go under.”

Sage keeps her voice even when she addresses Gage. “Guest ranches aren’t uncommon.”

“Some of us still have to make our money off cattle,” Levi interjects.

“Selling the life to city tourists while real ranchers fight for water’s a nice touch.” Resentment roughens Gage’s voice. “Though I guess you wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

The atmosphere shifts again, the air thick with animosity. Quinn and Chance have drawn in behind us, and River’s no longer lounging but standing at attention at my shoulder. “Careful,” he warns.

But Gage keeps looking at Sage, his lip curled, as if her presence has anything to do with his grievance with us. For the first time in weeks, she looks uncertain, as if she feels out of place.

I fucking hate it.

My hands clench. “Maybe your family could learn a lesson about adapting and moving forward instead of blaming others for your problems.”

River mutters “Jesus Christ” under his breath.

Because yeah. That landed badly.

Jaw locked, Gage steps closer to me—and to Sage. She stiffens, and I have one hand fisted in his shirt before he can make another move. It’s enough to change the temperature immediately.

Gage looks from me to Sage, understanding spreading across his face.

“You defending Wild Ember, McBride?” he drawls with a cocky smile. “Or your girl?”

Everyone in the place is watching. Allie too. She’s focused on us, her arms crossed. She deals with cowboys enough not to bother interfering unless punches are exchanged.

Gage looks down at my fist twisted in his shirt, then back at me. Like he’s waiting for me to swing first so he can claim to be the victim.

Behind me, tension rolls off my brothers. Quinn ready to jump in, River probably enjoying this too much, Chance dead quiet.

And Sage, her small hand on my back. Not pulling me away, just there, grounding me.

“Do you want to let go of him?” she asks softly.

She’s not scared or self-conscious, and that might be worse than if she were. Because all I can think about is the look on her face a minute ago when Gage made her question herself.

Gage smirks. “What’s the matter, McBride? Hit a nerve?”

My lip curls, and I tighten my grip on him.

Tessa’s voice cuts through the charged moment. “Oh my god, Gage, shut the hell up already.”

He shoots her a withering look. “Stay out of it.”

“No,” she snaps. “You’re acting like an idiot in public again.”

A few people nearby laugh quietly. Even River snorts.

Gage’s glare sharpens. “Are you done?”

“No.” She elbows her way next to him and nods at me. “Are you going to hit him or just wrinkle his shirt?”