Page 17 of Falling for the Cowgirl

Jericho was surprised at how calm her voice remained.

“I didn’t either.”

Ivy was silent for several heartbeats. “I’ll match the offer.”

Steele picked up a pen, completely ignoring the bag of coins. “As willing as I’ve been to consider this deal without saying anything to your brothers, I’ve been up-front with you about my hesitations.”

“I know, but—”

“As a woman, you’ll soon be married and will have your home and children to take care of. You won’t have time for ranching.”

Jericho’s gut pinched. Soon be married? Was Ivy already serious about someone? She hadn’t mentioned a fellow. Neither had anyone else. Then again, she wouldn’t have invited the barber to come calling on her tonight if she was engaged, would she?

“My sister-in-law Savannah has a baby and owns the Double L now.” Ivy’s tone contained a note of desperation.

“She’s also got a husband and a ranch manager.”

“I don’t see what that’s got to do with anything.”

“It has to do with the fact that once you get married, yourhusband will have his own occupation and won’t want to be saddled with your ranch.”

“He won’t be. I’ll run it myself.”

With each passing second, Jericho’s muscles tightened with the need to rise to Ivy’s defense. Ivy was as skilled a rancher as any he’d ever met. In fact, she knew more than most about the operations of a ranch. She deserved a chance at making her own way as much as any fellow.

Steele tugged at his collar as if it were strangling him. “Ivy, I’m sorry—”

Jericho pushed the door and stepped out of the shadows. Steele glanced up, and Ivy spun.

Her eyes widened upon him, and she half jumped. “Holy Saint Peter, what are you doing here, Jericho?”

He pressed his lips together, not sure how to inform her of his objectives.

Ivy studied his face, then glanced at Steele before looking back at him. “You? You’re the buyer?”

He didn’t have to say anything. He guessed she could read the answer in his expression.

She strode to him and lifted her hand as though to slap his cheek again.

Might as well let her take her frustration out on him. He braced himself.

Stopping in front of him, she started to swing but then halted. Her body was rigid, and her beautiful face etched with anger.

“Let me explain.”

“You’re despicable.” Her words came out an anguished whisper.

“It’s not what you think—”

“I took you for a good man.”

“And I am—”

“But I shoulda known you wouldn’t care a lick about what I want.” Her hand, poised in the air, trembled. She lowered it and retreated a step, her eyes blazing with contempt.

A strange disquiet pierced his soul. He’d riled up Ivy plenty of times in the past, but her eyes had always retained a measure of admiration. She’d looked up to him the same way she had Dylan.

The contempt was something new. And he didn’t like it. Not in the least.