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Bennett laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Of course. He wants her land.”

“Bingo. So, what’s your plan?”

“I don’t have one. I played my hand and I lost.”

“Please. Since when did my big brother give up so easily?”

Bennett stood and brushed off his jeans. The sun was high in the sky and the days were longer and warmer than they had been a week ago. With any luck, the rains would come soon, but until then, they were in for a hot, dry summer. Maggie would need to take advantage of the creek and the shade of the small fields along her span of the canyon if she wanted to keep her herd safe.

It was a risky move if there was a fire, but better in every way if not.

Would she make that decision or let one of her new ranch hands talk her into something more conservative?

Groaning, Bennet kicked at a clump of dirt until it broke over his boot. “What do you suggest?”

“Same plan Mom suggested. Jump in and help Maggie out. Best case scenario, she sees how much you love her… land,” Jax teased.

Bennett just rolled his eyes.

“I’m serious. If she’s bent on leaving once Carl’s ranch is the way he wanted it, don’t you think she’ll want to sell it to the person who helped it get there?”

Jax had a point. Except…

“If she sells, she’ll—she’ll leave.” His pulse kicked up a notch.

“Yep. And you get your dream property, canyon and creek included. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”

Bennett nodded, even though it didn’t sound as appealing as before.

“Besides, she owns a business in San Antonio. Pretty darn successful business, I might add. She was always going to leave.”

“Yeah. I guess you’re right.” Time to forget that kiss and remember your plans.

“And, if she gives her operation to Johnny, he’ll turn it commercial like he did upriver. Think of what that’ll do to Deer Creek to have all those tourists coming in to try out dude ranching for a weekend.”

Bennett snorted. “Johnny doesn’t bring tourists in—he brings drunk, noisy frat guys that tear up the land with ATVs. The river’s turned into a dumping ground for bottles and cans and the rest of whatever those guys think ranching means. Pshhh. Tourists would be good. This ain’t that.”

“Hmm. So, it would suck if she sold to him, huh?”

“Yeah. It’d suck.”

“So, go spend time with your old friend and convince her you’re the best option to sell to.”

“You know, Jax, for all the grumbling you do about running a ranch, you’re pretty decent at it.”

Jax laughed. “Careful, Benny. That sounds an awful lot like a compliment. And it ain’t gonna change my mind. Now get outta here. I’ll make this look presentable so Mom doesn’t murder you in your sleep.”

Jax tossed Bennett his keys and nodded to the MBE truck he’d driven over to their mom’s. Bennett caught them and jogged over, leaving the rest of the flower bed for later that weekend.

“Thanks.” Bennett threw the truck into drive and sped down the dirt road leading from his mom’s house to the east end of the property where his land met the Newmans’. He only had to stop once for a small family of three javelina crossing the path.

He arrived at the bunkhouse and set eyes on Maggie as she talked outside with an older rancher. Her hands waved over the land and her eyes laughed as much as her smile. He rubbed his chest, which ached watching her. Had things gone differently, they’d be doing this together.

“And anyway, like you can see, there’s a lot that still needs to be done to get the place in working order, but I’d like to start with the penalties. I’ve got a list here and there’s a board meeting next Friday. Think you and the guys can make the repairs by then?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll get them on it right away.”

“Thanks, and I meant to tell you, I love the beard, Marty. I’ve always found them to be masculine and rugged.”