Catching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #2) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,83

is John. Maize’s eyes soften, though.

Silence cuts through the room as my heart erratically beats. I never thought Rowan’s and my relationship would be announced like this, especially since she’s not even here, but I’m glad the news is out there finally. Assuming she’ll give us another chance, I’ll fight to prove how much she means to me.

“Is that the truth?” Riley asks me.

“I swear. I would never do anything to hurt Rowan, man. I’m in love with her and have been for years. She’s the only woman I’ve ever felt that way for. I love her,” I confess, then wait for Riley to say something. But the only sound heard is a loud gasp behind us.

We turn around, and that’s when I see Rowan standing at the top of the staircase, looking as beautiful as ever with her hair down and pushed to the side. Her eyes are bloodshot, like she’s been crying. I fucking hate knowing I upset her. She stares at us, and I know she heard what I said by the shocked expression on her face. I’m not sure if it’s because of what I just said or the fact Riley knows about us now. Either way, I’m in love with her, and I want the whole goddamn world to know.

Chapter Eighteen

ROWAN

Maize refused to let me go home to an empty house for the rest of the morning, though I had every intention of doing so. She threatened to come over, but she had work to do. So instead, she suggested I hang out at the B&B and even bribed me with my own personal breakfast full of strawberry pancakes, bacon, eggs, and homemade hashbrowns.

One thing’s for certain—if Maize Bishop ever volunteers to cook something special for you, you do not deny her. It’ll be one of the best meals of your life. She should open her own restaurant but enjoys working for the family too much. Maize acts modest, but she one hundred percent knows she could win contests with her food, and people drive over an hour away to eat it.

When I arrive, she’s wearing an apron with her name embroidered across the chest. Her dark hair’s in a high bun, and though she’s smiling, there’s also a sad look in her eyes. She pulls a tall barstool up to the prep table and pats it for me to sit as she prepares my breakfast. She listens to me spill my truths as she shreds a potato, mushes fresh strawberries into the batter, and warms the skillet. It doesn’t take long before I have a beautiful picture-worthy plate of yummy food to eat. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until she put it in front of me. I’m happy we’re alone, and I can speak so candidly about what’s happened over the past few months. It feels good to tell someone because I’ve kept this tucked deep inside for way too long.

“I’m so upset, Maze. Diesel hurt me more than Nick ever could, and I think it’s because I didn’t actually love Nick. I was just infatuated with the thought of us being together, though he never treated me right. I was always too much for him to handle, and he tried to mold me into something I wasn’t—a housewife. I’ve never felt so defeated in my life. Diesel likes me for who I authentically am. I didn’t have to pretend to be anyone other than myself around him. Do you have any idea how that feels? To be yourself in front of a man because that’s what he loves about you? I actually feel sick talking about it,” I explain. She pushes my plate closer and hands me some syrup she hand mixed.

I force a smile and take a bite. It’s comfort food at its finest.

“I’m gonna chop off his balls and make a gumbo out of them, then I’m gonna make him eat the whole damn pot.”

I snort. “You wouldn’t.”

“I would, and I am. He better not show his stupid face in the B&B for the rest of his life, or we’re gonna have words,” she threatens, snagging a piece of my bacon, but I can’t even be mad about it. She made way too much anyway, but that’s just how it is here. Full plates are an everyday occurrence.

“First, he strings you along and gets you to have sex with him. Then his baby mama just shows up with his kid in tow, and he screws her too? This is