He shook his head.
Seemed too good to be true. “I’ll have to clear it with Trevor.”
“I’d expect nothin’ less. I wanted to talk to you first.”
Chassie yelled, “Hey, guys, come here.”
“Guys? But—”
She locked her gaze to Colt’s. “Edgard is a permanent part of the operation and of our life now.”
After a second, Colt nodded.
That wasn’t so hard. She expected it’d get even easier in time.
When Trevor and Edgard ambled over, Chassie and Colt explained the situation.
No surprise Trevor was adamantly opposed. “Absolutely not. Like you said, Chass, if we can’t come up with the cash ourselves then ownin’ that place wasn’t meant to be.”
“You’d’ve had no problem borrowin’ the money from your dad,” Chassie pointed out.
“That’s different,” Trevor said.
“How so?” Colt demanded. “A loan from family is a loan from family. I’m Chassie’s family, which makes you family too.”
“So you’re lendin’ us the money?” Trevor asked.
“I sure as hell ain’t givin’ it to you.”
A sharp bark of laughter. “That’s a big relief.”
Colt relaxed slightly. “Think of it as a long-term investment.”
Trevor studied him distrustfully, not because Colt was dishonest, but because in Trevor’s mind, all dealings with family were suspect. “If you ain’t gettin’ interest on the loan, then what’s in it for you short term?”
“I dunno.” Colt scratched his cheek thoughtfully. “I’m lookin’ to diversify my part of the herd. How about you gimme first pick of your male calves durin’ brandin’? They’re worth about a thousand bucks at that age.”
“You want all twenty-five this spring?”
“Nope. One or two a year’ll be just fine.”
Chassie gawked at her cousin in disbelief. “But that’ll take years!”
“Like I told you, I’m lookin’ at long-term.” That flash of shame appeared in his eyes again, but he soldiered on. “Ask me where the money I’m lendin’ you came from, Chassie.”
“Where?”
“It’s what I would’ve spent on booze and women in just the last year. It’s sittin’ there starin’ me in the face like guilt and blood money. I wanna invest it in something I believe in, which is a family ranchin’ operation.” Colt looked across the field, but Chassie knew he was looking far beyond what she could see. “So many of my friends are gone to greener pastures. I couldn’t stand it if you were another one of ’em to leave, and not out of choice.”
Chassie was one of the few who knew Colt’s life hadn’t been as carefree as people assumed and he’d had fewer choices than any of his siblings.
“Anyway, when I build a house on the frontage between the creek and the bluff, we’ll be even closer neighbors, so it makes sense we look out for each other’s best interests.”
“Got a flesh and blood woman all picked out to settle down with in this phantom house you’re describin’?” Trevor prompted with a wicked grin.
“Possibly.” Colt shrugged. “Mostly I’m tired of livin’ at the Boars Nest. I want my own place. Chet and Remy drew up specs and we’re just waitin’ on the county to clear the permits.”
That surprised her. Chassie wondered if his family was privy to his plans to move away from the McKay stronghold.
“So do we have a deal?” Colt asked.
“Yes!” Chassie launched herself at Colt, hugging him tightly. “Thank you. You have no idea what this means to us.”
“Yeah, little cuz, I believe I do.”
“Contrary to what you think, you are a good guy,” she whispered. “A credit to the McKay name. Dag would be proud of you and I’ll try like hell to live up to your faith in me.”
“The fact you were one of the few who never lost faith in me is worth every damn penny.” He hugged her and climbed in his truck without another word.
“That bastard stole my thunder,” Edgard groused.
“What?”
“I’d planned on talkin’ to you and Chass about me making the down payment for Gus’s place with the money from selling my ranch in Brazil.”
Trevor caught Edgard’s golden gaze. “You serious?”
“Serious enough I spoke to Gus yesterday and guaranteed you and Chassie had the cash and asked him not to contact the McKays.”
Trevor didn’t—couldn’t speak.
“Hell, you ain’t mad, are you?” Edgard twisted the toe of his boot into a pile of snow.
“Not mad. Just wonderin’ why you did it.” Wondering why Ed hasn’t said anything when they’d talked last night.
“Time was running out. You were both preoccupied with family shit and I couldn’t stand it if we lost out on something important to all of us because of pride or fear or mixed signals. I waited until Chassie got home to discuss it because it’s her future too.”
Trevor’s heart damn near danced out of his chest. Everything he’d ever wanted was within reach; he just had to grab it with both hands. He circled one arm around Chassie’s shoulder and the other around Ed’s. “Come on inside. Too damn cold out here.”
In the kitchen, Chassie said, “Trev, what happened with your dad?”
Trevor poured milk in Chassie’s favorite cup and put it in the microwave. “Pa’s fine.” He relayed the trip, detailing events even when he’d rather avoid discussing them.
“Hope you didn’t have your heart set on cozyin’ up to my family.”
“You’re my family. You deserve better than the way they’ve treated you and I’m damn glad you didn’t knuckle under.”
“Amen.” Edgard gently swept a piece of Chassie’s hair away from the bandage on her forehead. She smiled, showing her acceptance of Ed’s easy affection. It also showed Trevor how badly Edgard needed to share that side of himself with someone who not only welcomed it, but appreciated it and reciprocated.
It brought a lump to Trevor’s throat and a balm to his soul to think Chassie was the bridge that allowed him to connect to Edgard. Without her, he’d be lost on so many levels. She’d taught him he was worthy of love. She’d showed him how to love without conditions. She’d proven understanding and acceptance were not parts of love that could be parceled out, but real, honest love needed all those components to be successful, fulfilling and long lasting.