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Harley’s eyes flitted to Anthony. She couldn’t believe he was doing this. If she got her inheritance before they were married, she wouldn’t have any reason to tie the knot with him. He’d be out a wife, a mother for his daughter, and any access to her inheritance.

“Why are you doing this? Is it so you can have access to the money as well?” Blaire asked.

“On the contrary, you’ll see that if she receives it before the wedding, then the prenuptial agreement will make it easier to split our assets in a way that makes more sense.” Anthony had everything figured out.

Harley’s dad looked at his wife. “Blaire, just sign it. We’ve held onto it longer than we should have. Clearly, Harriet has turned out better than we thought possible after her visit with your uncle. Even if she doesn’t marry Anthony, I think it’s safe to say she’s not going to spend it all on something frivolous.”

Harley glanced at her father, surprised by his perspective. He reached for a pen and signed the document before Blaire had a chance to stop him. When all eyes turned to her, she huffed.

“I don’t think this is a good idea, but I can see that I’m outnumbered.” She snatched the pen from her husband’s hand and signed the paper. That was the last barrier that would prevent Harley from having her funds released to her bank account. The weight on her chest lifted. She was free. There wasn’t anything else she had to do.

“Now, let’s discuss the wedding,” Blaire continued.

Anthony pushed away from the table, much to the surprise of her parents. “On the contrary, I don’t think we have anything further to discuss. Harley, it was lovely to get to meet you. I know you will do great things with that money, and I can’t wait to see it.”

“I beg your pardon!” Blaire shot to her feet. “You can’t just—”

“With all due respect, Mrs. Pembrooke, I agreed to this wedding under the assumption that it was what Harley was willing to do. I thought she was open to marriage because she wasn’t in love with anyone else. I do not fault her for that misunderstanding. I blame you for not knowing your daughter well enough.”

“Harriet is my daughter, and I know—”

“Harley is what she prefers to be called. And she is far more generous than you will ever know. She’s compassionate, and she’s interested in making a difference. I refuse to let you or myself stand in her way. I hope you can forgive us for breaking off our engagement.” He turned to Harley and reached for her hand, pulling her to her feet. “I wish you every happiness—wherever that might be.” He winked. “And if you need a flight anywhere, you can borrow my plane anytime.” Anthony lifted her hand to his lips, and he brushed a kiss to her chilled hand. “Goodbye, Harley.”

She watched him leave with his lawyer in tow. Her mother gave Harley one flabbergasted look before she took off after them.

Left alone with her father, Harley expected a lecture. Instead, he chuckled. “Looks like you got to outsmart her one last time.”

“There was too much riding on this to not try…” she whispered.

“Really?” he murmured with curiosity.

“Really.” She glanced at her father, joy starting to build in her heart.

“Well, what are you going to do with this new chance?”

A smile tugged at her lips. “I’m moving to Colorado.”

31

Mason

Mason grunted as he lifted a bale of hay from the back of his truck and dropped it just inside the barn. Being here without Harley present was more difficult than he could have ever prepared himself for. He half-expected Harley to walk around the corner at any moment.

Footsteps approached. They were slow—not the pace that Harley used. As they got closer, they shifted into multiple sets of footsteps. Mason wandered to the doorway of the barn and found Vern and Henry heading his way.

Now that Abrams was on his feet again, he was slowly getting back to the full workload he once had. It was still hard to read him; his expressions remained guarded no matter who he was speaking to.

He stopped and gestured toward Mason and muttered something before turning and heading back to the house.

Henry waited until Vern’s back was turned before a smile stole across his face, and he picked up his pace. When he reached Mason’s side, he slugged his shoulder playfully. “I know you told me that he doesn’t like people that much, but that right there is ridiculous. The man doesn’t even know when to crack a smile at a good joke.”

Mason gave his brother one of the looks he usually got when he overstepped. “Please tell me you didn’t tell him one of those jokes you find hilarious. No one agrees with you.”

“What? My jokes are hilarious! He should be so lucky to hear them.” He slugged Mason again. “Hey, have you heard about the cowboy who drove his herd of sheep through town?”

“I’m not interested in hearing about some dumb joke—”

“He got arrested for making an ewe-turn.” Henry threw back his head and laughed. “See? That’s a good one because it’s ewe, as in sheep.”