Loving Laney. Harmony Evans

the fact that no one knows what Wes is planning on doing with his life, now that he’s decided to stop being a rancher.”

      Wes, Laney’s older brother, who was once dubbed one of Montana’s Most Eligible Ranchers, seemed to have his sights set on living and earning a living anywhere but Granger. He and his new fiancée, Lydia, who was Samara’s former assistant, had spent the past few weeks traveling in Europe. Their next move and the overall drama that had plagued the town for the past several months were the subject of many spirited conversations around the Broward family dinner table.

      Laney and Brooke sauntered out of the barn to the fence, taking their time to enjoy the feel of the spring breeze against their skin. They were both country girls at heart. There was no need to rush. Not when everything around them was so beautiful and peaceful.

      “I don’t think Jameson will ever truly forgive Wes for selling off his portion of the Broward land to Samara,” Brooke noted. “I’m sure my sister will sell Samara her half of the Palmer Ranch eventually.”

      Laney turned toward her. “Why would Meredith do that?”

      Brooke leaned against the fence and snorted. “Why wouldn’t she? She hasn’t set foot in Granger in ages! Plus, Jameson found out that Samara is offering way over market value for the land. My sister has never been one to turn down lots of cold hard cash.”

      Laney sighed. “Wes can be the same way. Hopefully, married life will soften him and help him rearrange his priorities. I love my brothers and I can’t stand when they disagree. I know their little feud keeps my mom up at night. And my dad, he just retreats into his office in the barn.”

      It hurt Laney’s heart to fathom the stress she was about to unleash on her mother and father. They were older now, and although they were still incredibly active, Laney worried about how everything that was going on in their lives was affecting their health. If anything happened to her parents, she didn’t know what she would do!

      Brooke cleared her throat, interrupting Laney’s mental stewing.

      “Jameson did tell me that you hired a private investigator, but he wouldn’t tell me why. Care to spill the beans?”

      Laney glanced away and took in a deep breath of air, which normally would clear her mind, but now it only made her thoughts more muddy.

      How could you, Jameson? she thought. She should have known better than to trust her brother with a secret. He was so damn honorable sometimes.

      She turned back to Brooke. “He wouldn’t tell you why because he doesn’t know the reason. It’s my business,” she stated, struggling to keep her voice even. She didn’t want to offend Brooke, but she had to ask the question.

      “As is my baby. Please tell me you didn’t tell Jameson my secret,” she implored.

      “No! I didn’t tell him anything,” said Brooke in a shocked voice. “But after all that he and I went through to be together, we’ve had enough secrets to last us a lifetime. And we really don’t need any more.”

      Laney bit her lower lip. “I know. I’m sorry to have put you in such an awkward position. I don’t want anything to come between you and Jameson. You guys are perfect for each other.”

      Brooke crossed her arms. “Believe me, I can understand why you want to keep this all a secret. But when are you going to tell your family, Laney? And more important, when are you going to tell him?”

      Him.

      Austin. The man who was no more than a family friend was now more intertwined with the Browards than anyone realized.

      Laney leaned over the railing. “Today. At the family meeting. Everyone will be there and you’re right. It’s time.”

      She stared down at her riding boots, caked with mud. Just thinking about telling her parents and her brothers that she was pregnant made her want to saddle up Stella Rose and ride off into the sunset.

      Unfortunately, she wasn’t sure that this time there would be a happy ending.