“Libby’s going to manage Casper, just as I wanted.” Her father sounded so pleased, Libby wished she could match his enthusiasm.
Her brother rummaged around the cabinet and pulled out a box of corn flakes.
“What does Libby want?”
“It’s all right, Doug. I’ve agreed to it.”
“What did he use? The I-don’t-have-long-to live argument?” he said, getting down a bowl from one of the open shelves.
“She’s doing what needs to be done for the family’s sake. As she always has and always will do. She’s a Brennan.”
Her father glanced at the rooster-shaped clock that hung above the sink. “I’ve got to run now. You officially start tomorrow, Monday.”
He leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. He carried the aroma of the coffee he drank by the gallons. Full-out caffeinated coffee, too.
“You should be glad your father has a business where he can offer you a job. There are plenty of daughters who would be grateful,” Sam said as he pulled his keys from one of the hooks by the back door.
Her father was a big man, tall and wide. He ate too much, drank too much, and cussed too much—but he was her father, the only parent she had left—and she loved him. And knew he loved her.
Too bad it was all or nothing with her father. You either did it Sam Brennan’s way or you were nothing. Compromise was not in her father’s vocabulary. When the door banged against the doorjamb, signaling her father’s departure, she turned to her brother, who had just dumped milk into his cereal.
“Don’t say it,” she warned, folding her arms across her chest. “I’m already on track for the mother of all bad days.”
Doug took a large spoonful of flakes and stuffed it in his mouth—and kept right on looking at her with cold blue eyes.
“I caved. All right? I admit it. Happy?”
“No. I’m not happy. And neither are you. One of us needs a spine—my money was on you,” he said, brushing hair from his eyes.
“At least you like selling cars,” she said, feeling defeated.
“I like making money. I’m not real particular in how I go about it—long as it’s legal,” he chuckled.
She didn’t find anything humorous. “He says the dealerships are losing money.”
“Cheyenne’s not. He doesn’t share with me what the others are doing, but it wouldn’t surprise me. It’s tough out there. Getting tougher every month.”
“Maybe I can help him,” she said, trying to drum up enthusiasm she didn’t feel.
“If he’ll listen to you. You know the real reason he offered you the job is so he can keep an eye on you. Keep you close. He’s worried that when you marry Ben, you’ll be tempted to leave the area. Even if Ben’s in Wyoming now, that drilling company has operations all over the world. Speaking of Ben, how did things go last night with Chance?” Doug leaned against the counter, shoveling the spoon between the bowl and his mouth like he hadn’t eaten in a week.
“Okay,” she lied. She didn’t want to discuss Chance or the divorce papers. Doug had always liked Chance. And never understood how she could have walked away.
Her brother’s mouth turned down in a skeptical half scowl. “Really? I saw you both on the dance floor. Things seemed a little tense. And then you disappeared. Next thing I know, there’s a text from you saying you’re heading home.”
“I was tired.” Which was the truth, even if she hadn’t been able to sleep when she got home. Seeing Chance again, kissing him, and then his ordering her out of the truck had sent her emotions seesawing.
“Tired? At least you’re going with me to the rodeo again today, right? I’ve got VIP passes—thought we could watch from behind the chutes. Thought you might like to see Chance win this one up close.”
He looked at her as if he expected her to be excited. After their encounter last night, being ringside when Chance took on a thousand-pound horse was last on her personal agenda, dead last. Chance had made it clear he didn’t want or expect to see her again. And then what if the notary showed up? She’d be happy to miss that scene.
“I’ll watch it on the local channel.” She glanced at the folder her father had left on the counter. “I’ve got some information to look over anyway.”
“TV? When you can see it live?” He gave her a considered look. “Guess things didn’t go so well between you two.”
“Let’s just say I’m waiting on the lawyer’s call.”
Chapter 4
Chance pulled the tape tight around his wrist, wrapping again and then again. Standing in the corner of the cement-block locker room, it seemed like everyone he knew was crammed into the tight space in some state of undress. Small talk added to the din of preparation.