Page 10 of The Mountain Echoes

“Get the fuck outta here,” I groan. “I don’t need to see you both behaving like teenagers.”

As Elena tugs Duke away, she laughs. “You coming to the auction?” Duke asks over his shoulder.

“Yeah, I’ll see you there.”

He’s talking about the early-spring Canyon Heritage Sale—mostly cattle, a few bulls, some high-end breeding stock: good cattle, clean lines, no bullshit. You learn a lot about a ranch by what they bring to auction—and how they stand behind the rail.

This is where real ranchers show up and real money gets exchanged.

I know Wilder Ranch will be selling, which means I’ll be buying.

I walk around, make small talk, and occasionallybump into Celine and Hudson, who are making the rounds.

People are sympathetic and kind. Like I said, Wildflower Canyon likes Celine—sees her as a little vapid but sweet.

I talk to plenty of people—except the one I want to.

Where the fuck are you, Aria Delgado?

I go up to Kaz, who’s arguing with Bree as they bothalwaysseem to do.

I wish the two would just fuck and get it done with.

“Tell him that what I do with my land is none of his business, Mav,” Bree drags me into their discussion.

I raise my hands, palms out. “I’m Bennet, and I’m not in it!”

Kaz laughs.

Bree makes a sound that’s a cross between a screech and a sigh. She walks away.

I turn to Kaz. “I hear you know the older daughter.”

He quirks an eyebrow. “I do.”

“What’s she like?”

He gives me a puzzled look. “You worried she isn’t going to sell?”

No, I’m curious as fuck about her, but let’s go with that!

I nod.

“It’s been a while…so…I can’t really say. But from what I know from Bree, she’s pretty well settled in Napa. Has a senior position at a vineyard and makes decent money. I doubt she wants to come here and give all that up,” he muses.

“What does she do there?”

His brows draw together. “Fuck if I know, Mav.”

I’m about to probe some more when I seeher. She’s got on a black cardigan over her dress, and she’s wearing Ugg boots over her tights.

I almost smile.

She finally gave up fashion for comfort.

Maybe she’s more practical than she appears, which means I have a good chance of convincing her to sell.

CHAPTER 3