The Rancher's Surrender

But there was no bank that would take them, and Zoe became insane with worry. To her shame, it had taken several days before she realized both Delia and Maddie had been uncharacteristically quiet.

'Your turn to spill it, guys,' she demanded over breakfast two days later. She was dressed for work, as she and Cliff were going to tackle the barn and finish getting it ready for the animals she hadn't yet figured out how to afford.

But there was plenty of time to be stressed-out over that. 'What is it?'

Maddie bit her lip and looked down at her plate filled with steaming pigs in a blanket. The pancakes were fluffy and light, the scent of the sausage causing Zoe's mouth to water.

Delia coolly drank tea.

'I've never known you to pass up a reason for telling me what you think of me,' Zoe said, trying to tease them into answering.

A flash of humor hit Delia's serious eyes. 'It's not easy to figure out where to start.'

'That good, huh?'

'That bad.' Delia's lips curved as she sipped tea.

It was impossible to be calm about this. She couldn't handle it if she'd finally caused them to turn away from her. 'Please tell me,' Zoe found herself saying hoarsely. 'Are you both mad at me for keeping us here? Is that it?'

'Hon, don't be stupid,' Delia said kindly, ignoring Zoe's dangerously narrowed eyes. 'Come on, Zoe. Do you see me tied here, kept against my will? Do I even look like the kind of woman you could hold to a spot she didn't want to be in?'

'You know what I mean.' But already Zoe felt a relief she didn't want to think about. She looked at both of them, unconsciously holding her breath. 'Are you… happy here?'

'Happy is a relative term,' Maddie said quietly. 'I'm with both of you, that's all that matters to me.'

'But you could be in Los Angeles, cooking in some fancy restaurant.'

'Yes, and fighting off a boss who thinks he can sexually harass me because I look like a victim.' Maddie shook her head. 'I love the air here. The space. And the freedom.' She reached across and took Zoe's hand. 'Zoe, sweetie, I can cook wherever I am and be happy, as long as we're together. I just want to be with my family.'

'Dee?' Zoe looked at Delia. 'How about you? Miss shopping?'

'Oh, I miss shopping,' Delia assured her. She dipped her fork into her bowl of fruit, shuddering in distaste when Zoe poured butter and syrup in excess over her own plate. 'I miss freeways and gorgeous men jogging on the streets. But you're purposely missing Maddie's point.'

'Well, if someone would tell me the point, I couldn't miss it, could I?'

'Don't get defensive, it gives you wrinkles.'

'I'm getting pretty tired of people telling me I'm acting defensive.'

'Then stop doing it,' Maddie suggested, reaching for Zoe's hand.

'Tell me what's wrong,' Zoe begged. 'Oh God.' She nearly choked on a bit of pancake. 'Cade called, didn't he? This is all a mistake and we have to leave-'

'No!' Delia laughed and shook her head. 'Relax, Zoe, this place is still ours.'

'Then for God's sake, tell me what is wrong.'

'Look, the truth is we're worried about you,' Delia said bluntly.

'Me?' Zoe laughed. 'I'm fine.'

'You're not. You're taking this all on yourself, the success of the ranch, the money, even our happiness. And that's just dumb. Okay? We're in this together. We fail together, we succeed together. And we're happy together. Got it?'

'Well, we're going to be happy going bankrupt together.' Horrified, she covered her mouth. 'I'm sorry.' She rubbed her head, stress pounding through it. 'Oh, hell. I'm so sorry. I'm just so worried about this. We can't get a loan.'

'Zoe.' Delia took a deep breath. 'We know how bad it is. And we don't want to give up, but you have to let us take on some of the stress or you're going to blow up. Stop protecting us.'

'But-'

'But nothing. You have options. It's just for some reason, you're too stubborn to take them.'

'There are no options,' Zoe said flatly.

'We could borrow the money from Ty,' Maddie said quietly. 'I don't understand why you won't let us do that.'

'Haven't we had enough of charity to last us a life-time?' She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth, as both sisters paled, but she wouldn't take them back. She'd had enough to last a lifetime.

How could they not feel the same way?

Delia made a noise of frustration. 'It's a loan, Zoe. Just like you would have from the bank. This place means freedom to us. It's our inheritance and we won't lose it. What's a little pride, hon, when it comes to that?'

Zoe drew a ragged breath. 'I just… You make me feel so stupid. Don't-' she said quickly when Delia grinned and opened her mouth. 'Don't say it.' Her fingers dove into her hair as her thoughts raced in tune to her pumping heart. 'I hate needing money. I hate that we have to ask for it. And those banks…' She slumped. 'I would have begged, that's what's so disgusting. If I thought it would have done any good, I would have gotten on my knees and begged for the money.'

'Zoe.' Maddie's eyes were dark and warm. 'Ty would never make us beg. He's already offered.'

'I could ask him,' Delia suggested. 'So you wouldn't have to, though why you can't be nice to that man is beyond me. He's-'

'I know,' Zoe broke in quickly, knowing exactly what Ty was. 'He's generous.'

'He's gorgeous,' Delia countered.

'Delia.'

'And smart.'

'Delia-'

'He's also the most open, sincere, compassionate, sweet human being I've met in a long time.'

'Ty?' Zoe gasped with laughter over that one. 'Sweet?'

'He is,' Maddie insisted.

'He's sharp, I'll give you that,' Zoe admitted. 'He's also fierce, intense, dangerous… and altogether a pain in my you-know-what.'

Delia shook her head in disgust. 'You wear blinders with that man, and if I didn't know better, I'd think you were falling for him. But you're impervious that way, men never seem to penetrate through that shield you wear.'

Insulted now, Zoe sniffed. 'I'm sure not falling for him.'

'Then you're the idiot,' Delia said. 'Because I'm telling you, he's just about perfect-'

'Please,' Zoe complained. 'I'm trying to eat.' Maddie watched the exchange with a mixture of amusement and affection. As usual, when she spoke, she went right to the heart of the matter. 'We don't want to leave. We need the money. The banks won't give it. There's only one thing to do.'

They were right, but God, she didn't want them to be.

'So… who's going to tell him?' Delia asked.

Two pairs of eyes turned to Zoe and she let out a groan. 'Fine. But I'll do it in my own good time.'

'Fine,' Delia said.

'Fine!'

'And don't shelter us any more,' Delia ordered. 'We're in this equally.'

'Fine,' Zoe snapped again. 'And I hope you get a gray hair over this.'

Maddie smiled. 'She'll just dye it. We love you, Zoe,' she said softly. 'The sooner you get that through your thick skull, the better.'