toothpick. He coughed to clear it. “You think the same thing will happen to me and Magnolia.”
“Yes.”
Anger bubbled in Lucas’s chest. “You’re asking me to step down.”
A quiver rattled Oscar’s voice. “If you love Magnolia like I think you do, then you will look past your own feelings and consider her wellbeing.” He gave Lucas a pleading look. “Magnolia is fanciful, naïve.” He pushed out a dry chuckle. “She thinks love can conquer all. But one thing you have to consider is that Magnolia has never been without money. She doesn’t know what it’s like to have to scrimp.” His eyes hardened. “Don’t think for one minute that I condone what my parents have done because I don’t,” he clipped. “Magnolia should be free to marry whom she pleases.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Even if that someone is a small-town cowboy who mucks out stalls for a living?”
A dart of respect flicked through Oscar’s eyes. “As you so aptly pointed out over dinner, this country was built by hardworking men and women who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. I respect you for the man you are.” He sighed. “Under a different set of circumstances, I would be honored to have you as a son-in-law.” He paused, his eyes meeting Lucas’s. “I hope you realize that.”
Time stood still as they locked eyes. Lucas could tell that Oscar was a good man who was genuinely worried about his daughter. “I do,” Lucas said tersely, his mind reeling.
“My daughter’s future is in your hands.” Oscar gave Lucas a long look. “Please do the right thing.”
Lucas pushed out a short laugh as his hand went to his neck. His words came out in bitter chunks like rocks hitting a cement floor. “Is it right to just desert Magnolia and leave her to marry a man she doesn’t love?”
Oscar gave him a perceptive look. “Magnolia’s feelings are skewed right now. There’s so much riding on this, I doubt she hardly knows what she feels. She cared deeply for Roman once. They were happy together for a long period of time. Magnolia can develop that love for him again over time. Relationships are built on mutual understanding, with two people who share similar backgrounds.” He took in a heavy breath as he eyed Lucas. “You’re a good man. I’m just sorry that you got caught in the crossfire of all this,” he said solemnly as he strode out of the room, closing the door behind him.
For several minutes, Lucas felt numb. Then, when the gravity of the situation began to sink in, he went over and collapsed onto the couch. He buried his head in his hands. Was Oscar right? Would Magnolia end up resenting him because she’d given up her inheritance? The answer came in the hard punch that stole his breath. She would. His heart began to pound, sweat beads breaking over his nose. He was hot and cold at the same time. What he and Magnolia had was incredible, but it was fragile and new. They’d only been together a short period of time. If he left now and walked out of her life, she’d have a chance to start fresh with Roman. His insides shriveled. He couldn’t stand the thought of Magnolia with anyone else, least of all that frat-boy suck-up.
Tears burned his eyes. He had to do the right thing. He had to think of Magnolia. Oscar was right. She was fanciful and naïve. Magnolia was from a completely different world—a world that would be harsh when seen through the eyes of one who’d been born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
On the miracle that Lucas could purchase Arthur Vinson’s ranch, it would be a tough way of life. He’d have to work like crazy to build it up. Magnolia had her own career that paid well. Still, ten million dollars was an astronomical amount of money. Nothing that neither Lucas nor Magnolia could ever earn would come close to that. She would come to resent him. His gut churned. He’d lose her anyway. He couldn’t go through that again. He couldn’t put himself out there and enter into a relationship that was doomed. As excruciating as it was, it was better to end things now … when Magnolia could still get her inheritance. At least she would have a happy life.
Tears burned his eyes as he stood and went to the closet. He pulled out his suitcase and threw it onto the bed. He opened it and began