Page 33 of Unyielding (Poplar Springs #3)

THIRTY-THREE

SHANNON

M y stomach flip-flopped as I waited for Josh to say something.

We were crowded in his small office and he was staring at the last slide from my presentation, the one that graphed out my projections for my business profits over the next five years based on the changes I’d made.

Josh probably wasn’t expecting a formal presentation when I’d called the meeting, but I wanted to prove to him that things were different now.

This was my do-or-die moment, where I’d find out if the changes I’d been implementing would be enough to convince my brother that I was headed in the right direction.

I’d been so proud when I’d started off, but his steely expression had chipped away at my confidence as I worked my way through the slides.

“Listen, I’m really sorry, Shannon…” he began, still not looking at me.

His tone immediately made fear with an edge of despair swirl up inside of me.

How would I respond to him turning me down without breaking down in tears?

I’d worked so hard to modernize the breeding program.

I wasn’t yet all the way to where I needed to be but I was a whole lot closer than I’d been when I’d started, and I was actually enjoying myself.

He opened his mouth to speak again and I held my breath. No, no, no. Don’t turn me down.

“I’m really sorry that I ever doubted you,” Josh finally continued, his face breaking into a smile.

“You’re nailing it. I mean, you’re not where you need to be yet, but everything you’ve been doing is having a positive impact, and you’ve definitely shown that it’ll all pay off in the long run with your estimates and contingency plans.

I still can’t believe that not only are you considering AI, but you’ve already tried it.

That’s fantastic. I can see how buying that mare is a good move now, not later. The money is yours. Do it.”

My mouth dropped open. “Seriously?”

“You should know by now that I never joke about money. You earned this one. Nice work, Sis.”

“Thank you!” I closed the distance between us at top speed and threw my arms around him, making him chuckle before I sat back down and pulled my laptop closer to me.

I couldn’t believe he said yes. A part of me was waiting for him to take it back.

Not that my brother would ever do that unless it was an emergency.

I was about to give Declan more of the credit, given how much he’d helped me, but I didn’t want Josh to think that his input was the only reason things had turned around.

He’d gotten me started, sure. In fact, he’d lit a fire under me, but I’d done a lot of my own research, and I’d been the one to actually implement all the changes.

Besides, I was doing my best not to think about Declan too much.

Things between us felt… unpredictable. Like we were rarely on the same page at the same time.

But when we were on the same page? Perfection. Blinding hot perfection.

“You spending the money already?” Josh asked, startling me out of my thoughts. “Your face looks weird.”

“No. I mean, yes,” I stammered. “I hate to end this, but I need to run. I’ve got the Cattlemen’s Association meeting this morning. They’re planning on talking about the rodeo and how we can participate. You going?”

Josh shook his head. “Too busy, but send my best to everyone and take good notes.” He paused. “Shan, you’ve done good. I’m proud of you.”

I ducked my head. It was silly, but getting his approval felt amazing. He was my brother, and we were only a year apart in age, but at times like this, he also felt like a father figure.

“Thanks for giving me a chance to sort through my bullshit.”

“Stop, it wasn’t bullshit. It was… memories. I get it. I’ve been there. You wanted to preserve Mom. But the best way to honor her—and gran’s—legacy is by keeping the business thriving. And now I can see that you’re doing exactly that.”

I sniffled. “Stop. You’re making me emotional.” I swatted his arm.

“Sorry, hate it when that happens,” he joked. Josh glanced at the time on the screen. “You need to leave now if you want to make the meeting.”

“Right, right.” I hopped out of the chair. “I still can’t believe that I get to buy Sunshine! I’m so happy.”

I practically skipped out of Josh’s office.

I grabbed my phone out of my back pocket and automatically started dialing Declan’s number but stopped when I realized that we’d only been texting and hadn’t actually spoken in a few days.

It would be weird to call him up out of the blue, especially when I didn’t know if he was in the middle of an appointment.

I considered how things were going between us as I grabbed my bag, then headed for my truck.

Off and on, hot and cold, highs and lows.

I couldn’t make sense of it all, but I wasn’t about to try to dissect it with him.

The last time we’d been together, in the loft, had felt magical, but he’d been so busy in the days that followed that we’d barely had a chance to connect.

He’d sent me cute photos of him cradling a new lamb and sitting next to a litter of kittens, so I knew he was working hard.

I tried not to miss him too much or think about why he hadn’t asked to see me.

We still hadn’t defined what we were to one another.

He didn’t owe me anything. But it didn’t stop me from missing him or wanting to share things with him that I couldn’t share with my siblings or best friend.

I knew Declan was planning on showing up at the end of the meeting to shake hands and smile at everyone like a politician. I could tell him the good news about Sunshine then.

If he could tear himself away from his campaign to have all the ranchers eager for his veterinary services.