Have Mercy - Christina Lee Page 0,19

surfaces as if to test their sturdiness, then looked straight up to the cylindrical ceiling. For Ainsley’s part, she had wandered back outside to explore with the pigs. She knew better than to lead them toward the road.

“What’s your vision?” Julian asked, and I wondered if Sienna noted the gleam in his eye.

Sienna motioned with her hands. “Shelving and counters to soften the industrial feel of it, plus a grander entrance.”

He spun around as if trying to envision it, and when his face broke out into a grin, I knew she had him. “It would be pretty cool.” He loved this sort of shit. Good to know.

And when Sienna squealed and clapped her hands, I felt such relief. She deserved everything. Not only after what I’d put her through, but because of what Ainsley went through as well. We almost lost her, and that devastating feeling would never leave us. We still felt like we were walking on thin ice.

When Julian met my gaze, I motioned toward Sienna, who was now rummaging through a box, and mouthed, “Thank you.”

Pink crawled across his cheeks as he dipped his head, then turned away to ask more questions. They had all summer to figure it out, and by the time of a grand opening, Julian might already be on a plane back to the city. So why did I have a feeling this summer was about to become way more interesting with him around?

7

Julian

“What’s Kerry like?” Caitlin asked in a hushed tone.

We’d had a couple of video calls since my arrival in Wyoming almost two weeks ago. This time I was in my room after dinner, hoping to take a shower, then play around on social media before bed.

I had fallen into a routine of sorts the past several days. I woke up naturally at dawn—sometimes from a nightmare, other times from the rooster’s call—poured some coffee, then went to the barn to help milk the cows or whatever else needed done. After breakfast I’d head to the silo, where I was slowly chipping away at clearing the space of all the stuff that’d been stored there. Sienna or Kerry would inevitably show up to tell me what should be saved and what should be discarded and hauled to the junkyard in one of their trucks.

It was hard work, but I was glad for it, plus being in the space really helped me get a feel for Sienna’s vision, which was fast becoming my own. I could picture the layout and how cool the concept would be if I could pull it off. I’d never doubted myself when it came to this type of work, so I wasn’t sure why I would be now.

“Let’s see…” I answered Caitlin, glancing at the door to be sure I’d shut it behind me. “He’s a hard worker, dotes on Ainsley and the animals, and is actually pretty charming once you get past his quiet demeanor.”

And really fucking hot. Good God, he was growing more attractive by the day. Which was so not a thing I should’ve been thinking about, but I couldn’t seem to help myself. The more we interacted, which was normally in close proximity, the more I looked forward to his company. And if I could get him to laugh, it was even better. His whole face lit up, which was how I’d discovered he had dimples. In fact, when I’d pointed them out, he blushed, which softened his rougher edges. And when he took off his cowboy hat to wipe his brow? All of those tawny waves came tumbling out, and I probably gaped before turning away.

Christ, I had a crush on my cousin. Well, my ex-cousin-in-law. Still, not a good idea. At all.

Thankfully, Caitlin hummed, dragging me out of my thoughts.

“So he’s not a complete asshat?” she asked, and I could hear the smirk in her voice.

What in the world would she say if she knew I was hot for an unattainable cowboy in Wyoming who also used to be married to Sienna? Not that I wanted to bang the guy, maybe just fantasize about him a little out here in the middle of nowhere without feeling totally guilty about it.

Christ.

“I mean, a divorce always causes heartache, right? And of course, Aunt Maggie would protect Sienna; we all would want to”—I lowered my voice—“not that she needs defending, because she’s pretty badass. But it seems they’ve worked through it.”

At least it appeared that way to me. There didn’t seem to be any