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“I see.”

“Can I ask you for discretion, please, while I figure stuff out?”

“About last night? Seriously? I won’t say anything to anyone about what we shared, Maggie. I’d never intentionally hurt you.”

Like you did to me, she heard, even though he hadn’t actually said as much.

“I know. I trust you, Bennett.”

“Just not enough to be with me.”

The sadness in his voice tore a hole in her chest. Maybe they should talk about this after the meeting.

She couldn’t finish her thought though, because the microphone screeched as Cal called the meeting to order.

“I’ve got to join them. I’ll have Jackson get in touch about moving the cattle tomorrow. Good luck tonight, Maggie.”

He walked away, and even though the room grew silent so the board could introduce themselves—again—her head buzzed noisily.

What had just happened? Had she and Bennett broken up?

Her heart wailed at the idea but, as she’d taught it to do, her head silenced it.

We have work to do. Business first, grieving later.

If only she could convince her body to stop the ghost pains that kept cropping up every time she recalled Bennett’s hands, mouth, and body on hers.

“Okay, the first order of business is Margaret Newman from Steel Born and her update on the fire suppression system at the entrance to Jenson Canyon on the east end of Newman Ranch. I’ll let her explain what’s going on with it and y’all will have a chance for questions when she’s done.”

She shook off the argument with Bennett and took a steeling breath. The only hurdle in the way of appreciating this night was knowing her dad would have been so proud.

“You’d have loved this, Dad,” she whispered as she took the mic. She cleared her throat and tried to push down the well of hurt that consumed her. “Thanks, Cal. Well, I have some good news. This suppression system was slated to be installed in partnership with the Deer Creek Fire Department on the fourth of this month, but we’re ahead of schedule, so it’ll begin on the second. Construction will take about a week and there will be a four-hour window where the water for ranches and homes from Long Bow Street east is off. We’ll do our best to make sure it’s as quick and painless as possible.”

Unlike the past twelve hours of my life.

Hands shot up.

“Remember, there will be time for questions at the end. Let’s let Ms. Newman get through her update first,” Cal spoke up.

“That’s okay, Cal. I’m happy to take questions as they come up. Y’all should feel comfortable with this since it’s your town and your families’ safety.”

Maggie pointed to the woman who’d raised her hand in the middle of the crowd. “Go ahead.” The woman stood, but so did Bennett, moving everyone’s attention to him.

“Sorry, Patricia,” he said, addressing the woman he’d cut off. She looked familiar, but Maggie couldn’t place where from. One of the businesses in town, but none that she frequented like Mae’s or Harvey’s. “I just have a quick question for Ms. Newman.”

“Of course, Mr. Marshall.” Patricia’s voice triggered Maggie’s memory of where she was from. She was Bob’s partner on the morning radio show Maggie listened to while she walked the property fence line checking for gaps. She’d met the woman only once at the studio, but Maggie had come to look forward to Patricia’s show since it covered what was going on in ranching communities outside Deer Creek, including San Antonio. It was Maggie’s touchstone to the outside world.

“Actually, I’d like to hear what Patricia has to say.”

“And you will,” Bennett said. “I was just curious about your choice to address this project as your town and your families’ safety. That makes it sound like you’re not planning on sticking around after this project is complete.”

A tremor of fury blossomed in her chest, sending heat racing through her limbs. “I didn’t hear a question in there, Mr. Marshall.”

His lips flattened and there was a glint in his gaze she’d never seen before. “Are you planning on remaining in Deer Creek once the Steel Born equipment deal and this little pet project of yours are complete, or are you using this town to further your own gains?”

The anger that had been building dissipated instantly, leaving her empty, cold, and trembling. What was he doing?

“I don’t know how that is any of the board’s business.” Or his.