Emerson checked her reflection in the mirror, trying to calm her nerves, which were jumping like a racehorse waiting to be let out of the gate. Riker would be here any minute now to meet her parents. She’d warned him about her mama—how she’d most likely be frosty and catty, but she assured him that her daddy would be congenial.

She touched her chest. Just breathe.

Miracle number two had happened yesterday with Riker and his family. She couldn’t believe the transformation that took place when Riker, his dad, and Marley came back into the house. Afterwards, Riker thanked her for insisting that they go to Marley’s birthday party.

Yep, definitely the best 295K she’d ever spent.

Now she just had to get through this evening. She was sure her parents would grow to love Riker. How could they not? This weekend, she and Riker were headed to Chattanooga. She laughed, doing a little twirl.

Life was good! So very good!

When Stein Ranch came into view, Riker did a double-take. The monstrous structure was impressive and intimidating with its stately white columns and sprawling landscape. His palms were sweaty, slipping against his handlebars. Emerson kept assuring him all would go well with the meeting tonight, but he wasn’t so sure. All day long, he’d had a pit of dread in his stomach. It made no sense. He’d gotten things worked out with his dad and Marley. Things were great with him and Emerson. They were going away together this weekend. Why did he feel like a sword was hanging over his head, about to fall?

He pulled into the circular drive and removed his helmet. His phone rang. He reached in his pocket and looked. It was his dad. “Hello?”

“Hey, Riker.” Long pause.

Riker’s heart clutched. Something was wrong, he could hear it in Dad’s voice. Had something happened to one of his brothers? Was that why he kept having this nagging feeling of impending doom?

“I had an interesting visit today from Ethan Stein, Emerson’s father.”

“What do you mean?”

“He came into the store.”

Fury twisted through Riker when he heard the whole story.

“Don’t do anything rash,” James warned. “Emerson’s a good girl. I feel sure that she didn’t have anything to do with this. Don’t let her father come between you two.”

“I’ve gotta go, Dad.” He ended the call, tucking his chin into his neck as he strode to the front door, preparing for battle.

A knock at her bedroom door caused Emerson to flinch. “Come in,” she called.

Angelica, the housekeeper, stuck her head in. “Your visitor is here.” Her eyes twinkled. “He’s gorgeous.”

She couldn’t stop the large smile from overtaking her face. “Thanks.” She ran a hand down her sundress. “Do I look okay?”

Angelica gave her a reassuring nod. “You look beautiful as always.”

“Do my parents realize that Riker’s here?”

“Yes, I told them. They said they’d meet him in the living room.”

Emerson took in a deep breath. “Okay.” I can do this, she kept repeating over and over.

She stepped into the living room, smiling. One look at Riker let her know that something was wrong. She halted in her tracks. “Are you okay?”

He was standing in the center of the room, his arms folded tightly over his chest, a scowl on his handsome face. “No, I’m not,” he shot back.

Her heart flew into her mouth as she touched his arm. “What’s wrong?”

Before he could utter a word, her daddy came into the room. He stepped up to Riker, extending his hand. “Hello,” he said with a friendly smile. “Welcome.”

For a split second, Emerson thought Riker was going to refuse to shake. What in the heck was going on? She gave Riker a questioning look, but he only shook his head, his eyes going back to her daddy.

“Have a seat,” Ethan said.

Riker’s jaw went hard. “I’ll stand, thanks.”

Okay, now Emerson was starting to get irritated. Riker knew how important this meeting was to her. Why was he cocking an attitude?

Riker gave Ethan a hard look. “I understand you paid a visit to my dad today.”

Emerson’s head whirled around to her daddy. “W—what?”

Riker turned to her. “Yep, sure did. Ethan walked right into the tractor supply store and told my dad that he wanted to sign an exclusive, three-year contract guaranteeing that Stein Ranch would only purchase from him.” He glanced at Emerson. “Of course, it was contingent on my dad’s assurance that I’d stop dating you.”

The breath whooshed out of Emerson as her knees buckled. Riker reached to steady her before continuing.

“When my dad refused, Ethan said something to the effect of, ‘Trust me, you’d rather have me as a friend instead of an enemy.’”

“Daddy, how could you?” Emerson cried.

Caroline rushed into the room, homing in on Riker, a savage look in her eyes. “How could you?” she seethed.

Riker rocked back. “What’re you talking about?”

She thrust a newspaper at him. He caught it before it toppled to the floor.

Caroline turned to Emerson, tears glistening in her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

Had the whole world gone mad? “What’re you talking about?” Emerson’s heart lurched when she saw the stricken expression on Riker’s face. Her throat went impossibly thick as she swallowed, feeling like invisible hands were squeezing her chest. “What?”

“The whole thing was a bet,” Caroline snarled. “How could you do this to my daughter?”

Emerson turned to Riker. “W-what’s she talking about?”

Riker’s eyes grew pleading. “It’s not how it looks.”

“Not how what looks?” Emerson clenched her fists. “Would someone please tell me what’s going on?”

Caroline’s voice rose, her hand going to her hip. “The way Riker met you at the rodeo …” she shot Emerson a scathing look. “I can’t believe you’ve been barrel racing behind our backs using an assumed name. We’ll discuss that later.” She waved a hand. “Anyway, it was all a sham. After Riker spilled food all over you, he made a bet with his girlfriend that he could get you to kiss him before the night was over.”

The icy fingers of terror picked at the base of Emerson’s skull as the room began to spin.

“I swear to you, it wasn’t like that,” Riker said.

Caroline scoffed. “Sure it was. You can read all about it in the article. His girlfriend’s name is Trisha Pennington. She went on record telling the whole story.”

A crazed look came into Riker’s eyes. “It’s not true.”

Emerson tried to make sense of what was happening. “Do you know this woman? This …”

“Trisha Pennington,” Caroline supplied.

“Yeah,” Riker admitted, “I know her.”

Emerson leaned into his personal space, daring him to tell her a lie. “Is she your girlfriend?”

“No … I mean we dated years ago in high school, but it’s been over for a long time.” His eyes searched hers. “You have to believe me.”

“Was Trisha at the rodeo the night we met?”

He rolled up the newspaper, clutching it in his hands.

“Was she?” Emerson yelled.

“Yes,” he said quietly.

The admission was a punch in the gut. Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away. “Did you make a bet with Trisha that you could kiss me before the night was over?”

The guilty look on Riker’s face let her know his answer. “Yes.”

Hurt spiked over Emerson, dicing her heart into pieces. With that hurt came a searing anger.

“But it’s not like your mother’s making it sound. Trisha came up with the idea, I just went along with it because it gave me another excuse to talk to you again.” He groaned. “Don’t you see what’s happening here? Your parents are trying to rip us apart?”

Caroline’s eyebrow shot up. “The only one who’s ripping anything here is you. You and your girlfriend have been in collusion the entire time.” She looked at Emerson. “Trisha was seen entering his condo the night of the Titan’s auction.”

Riker’s eyes rounded, the words coming faster. “Yes, that’s right. She was. Remember how I told you that a friend showed me the article with you and Finley? That was Trisha.”

“Figures,” Emerson spat.

A new light came into Riker’s eyes as he grew animated. “In fact, Trisha made a play for me that night, but I told her there could never be anything between us. She left furious. I’m sure that’s why she agreed to be interviewed for this article, to get revenge.”

An amused laugh trickled from Caroline’s lips. “You really expect us to believe that?”

“It’s the truth.” Riker asserted. His eyes held Emerson’s. “You have to believe me. I would never do anything to hurt you. I’m in love with you,” he blurted.

Tears burned Emerson’s eyes. She loved him too—thought she’d found the man of her dreams. And now? She kept thinking about that bet Riker made with another woman. It cheapened everything, changing the whole picture. She bit her lower lip, not sure what to believe.

“Think about it,” Riker continued. “What reason could I possibly have for going behind your back?” He glared at Ethan. “The question you should be asking here is who has the most to gain from all of this?”

Ethan’s brows bunched. “I don’t like what you’re insinuating.”

Riker pushed out a hard laugh. “Oh, I’m not insinuating anything. I’m saying it straight out. You went to my dad’s place of business and tried to buy him off. When that didn’t work, you threatened him.”

“You’re out of line here,” Ethan roared.

Panic welled inside Emerson as she looked back and forth between her daddy and Riker. The emcee at the auction had called Riker Captain America, and she’d thought that was a fitting description. Looking at him now, however, with his lean, strong jaw, blazing blue eyes, and blonde hair, he was more of a Greek God. Her daddy was an imposing force too—not used to being questioned. It was a Zeus versus Adonis scenario, and when the gods went to battle against one another, the outcome would never be good. She caught hold of something Riker said as she frowned. “Daddy, did you go to James’s store today?”

He looked her in the eye. “No, I did not. I’ve been here at the ranch all day long. You can ask any of the employees, if you don’t believe me.”

“Seriously?” Riker shook his head. “He’s lying to your face, Emerson.” He motioned at Caroline letting out an incredulous laugh. “They both are.”

Nothing was making sense. Her daddy wouldn’t outright lie to her, would he? She searched his face.

“I swear to you, Emerson. I did not go to that man’s place of business.” Ethan gave Riker a withering look. “I would never do something like that.” Emerson had seen that look on Daddy’s face a few times before when he was talking to employees. In the past, his authority had always ruled the day. The employees would immediately comply with Daddy’s wishes, but not Riker. He wasn’t quelled in the slightest.

“Not even to save your merger?” Riker shot back.

Ethan didn’t flinch. “No, not even for that.”

Riker chuckled darkly. “I don’t believe you.” He turned to Emerson. “Can’t you see what’s happening?”

She looked back and forth between the two men she loved more than anything in the world. “One of you is lying,” she finally said.

Ethan cast Riker a death glare. “Son, you’ve done enough harm. You need to leave.”

Riker’s head shot up, his eyes turning to balls of ice. “I’m not your son, and no, I’m not leaving. Not without Emerson!”

She jerked. “What?”

“Let’s go,” Riker said. “It’s time to face this head-on, to stop being manipulated by your parents.”

“You’re the only one manipulating anything here,” Caroline piped in.

The phrase, Would you rather drown or burn to death? raced through Emerson’s head. How could she choose between them? The answer came in a flash. She couldn’t. Not today. She swallowed. “I need time to think, to sort this out.”

“Don’t do this,” Riker said. “You know what your heart’s telling you.”

Did she? She’d only known Riker for a short period of time. How could she take his word over her daddy’s? If it had been her mama swearing to her about something, the choice would’ve been easy. But her daddy had never lied to her. He was the one constant she could count on in her life. She adored him. Emotion lodged thick in her throat. “I think you need to leave.”

Riker’s jaw went slack. “What’re you saying?”

“Just what I said. I need time to sort this out,” she croaked.

He scoffed. “They’re playing you, Emerson. You have to stand up to them. Don’t be a coward.”

The comment was a red flag in front of the bull. “Don’t you dare stand there and lecture me!” she screamed.

Riker rocked back, stunned.

“You admitted that you approached me because of a bet with an old girlfriend. That girlfriend was seen going to your condo. She went on the record saying you’re getting back together. Now you’re accusing my daddy of threatening your dad!” A chortle rose in her throat. “It’s all just a little too much to stomach right now.”

“Like I said, what reason would I have for deceiving you?” Riker’s voice sounded tired, defeated. He let out a breath, tossing the newspaper onto the floor. “You, better than anyone, know that stories can be manipulated. Think of all the crap about you and Finley.” He locked eyes with her. “When you came clean about yourself, I was understanding. All I’m asking for is the same courtesy. Is that too much?”

The air gulped in a startled breath, waiting for her answer. She was swimming in deep water, trying to stay afloat. True, he had been understanding about her assumed name and Finley. Her chest felt tight, weighted down with a mound of concrete. “I don’t know what to do.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I need more time.”

A shadow passed over his features. “I love you. I thought you felt the same way about me—that we could build a life together. I guess I was mistaken.”

The shadow grew to a massive black cloud from which they could never escape as he turned on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Emerson’s eyes were swollen, her head throbbing. Today was supposed to be a day for celebrating—the beginning of a fresh start with Riker. Then, in the blink of an eye, her bright future turned to ash. She drew her legs to her chest, hugging her knees. Her mind kept going in circles, coming back to the same point. Despite it all, she loved Riker and didn’t want to contemplate a life without him. These last few days had been the best of her life.

After Riker left, she read the newspaper article. According to Trisha Pennington, Riker first approached Emerson as a joke then didn’t know how to tell her the truth. “Riker’s like that,” Trisha said, “doesn’t want to leave anyone hanging. I’m sure he kept going out with Emerson because he felt sorry for her.”

Even though she’d never met Trisha Pennington, she despised her. Riker wasn’t with her because he felt sorry for her. Like Riker said, newspaper stories could be manipulated … slanted. She knew that better than anyone. Emerson needed to talk to Riker privately, away from her parents. She reached for her phone to call him.

A knock sounded at the door. “Who is it?” she barked. It had better not be Mama or else she’d rip her head off.

“Sweetheart, it’s me,” her daddy said. “Can I come in?”

She took a deep breath. “Now’s not a good time.”

“Please, it’ll just take a minute.”

She raked her hair out of her face, holding it over her head in a ponytail. “All right,” she huffed.

Ethan sat down on the edge of the bed. He gave her a fleeting smile. “How ya holding up?”

“I’ve had better days.” She rolled her eyes, letting go of her hair.

For a few seconds, he just sat there, stroking his chin like he was collecting his thoughts. Finally, he spoke. “I’m so sorry about what happened with Riker.”

She scooted to sit up, looking him in the eye. “Is what Riker said true? Did you try to buy James off and then threaten him?” Her body tensed as she awaited his answer.

He winced. “No, honey. I would never do that.” His eyes grew intense. “I swear it.”

“Then why did Riker say you did?”

Ethan shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe because he knew the story about him and that other girl had broken. He probably figured if he went on the attack first, it would cover up his treachery.” His voice went smooth. “You can’t trust those professional football players, cupcake. They’ll say and do anything to get what they want.”

She hugged her arms, biting down on her lower lip.

He touched her arm. “I know it’s a hard pill to swallow.” He gave her an affectionate smile. “Look at the bright side. You dodged a bullet. It could’ve been so much worse. Finley stopped by a little while ago, asked if he could see you.”

She jerked, horror trickling down her spine. “I don’t want to see anyone right now.” Her eyes narrowed. “Especially not him.”

James held up a hand. “Don’t worry, I told him you were resting.”

“Good.” She relaxed. Then she noticed his demeanor. He drummed his fingers on his pants, and she could feel the jitters jumping off him like grasshoppers from a burning tree. “What?”’

He let out a breath, shifting. “I’m not sure I should burden you with this right now.” He stopped, frowning. “What is that?” He pointed at the stuffed monkey Riker had won at the rodeo. It was propped on top of her desk, its back resting against the wall.

She glanced at the monkey’s fixed smile. It had seemed playful, friendly when she first got it. Now, considering all that was happening, the smile was sinister, macabre—a cruel reminder that everything she’d wanted was being ripped away. She tightened her jaw. “Never mind the monkey.” She leaned forward. “Tell me what’s going on,” she demanded, giving him a sharp look.

A pained expression came over his face as he rubbed a hand over his jaw. “This is not easy to say …” uncertainty crept into his eyes “… err … well …”

She stiffened. “Is this about Riker?” Surely, he didn’t come in here to dump on Riker some more.

Ethan shoulders sagged as he slowly shook his head back and forth. It seemed to take him forever to get the words out. “No, it’s about my business and the merger.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re bringing up the merger again?” This really was too much.

He held up a hand. “Just hear me out.” As she listened to him talk about his failing business and how desperately he needed the merger with Kenton Landers, ice pricked down her spine. Then, when he told her how Kenton had made the merger conditional on her marriage to Finley, her sense of horror grew. When he got to the part about her and Finley announcing their engagement this coming Friday the walls closed in on her and she felt like she couldn’t breathe.

“I’m so sorry about Riker,” her daddy said, shaking his head. His voice seemed to be garbled like she was hearing everything underwater. “But it’s probably for the best. Finley’s a great guy. Y’all are well matched. I know all of this is a shock to you, cupcake. Believe me when I say that I never meant for this to happen. The timing is lousy, and I apologize for that, but I felt like I owed it to you to let you know what was going on.”

She just sat there, stunned, her world spinning.

“Say something,” Ethan said.

“I don’t know what to say. How could your business be failing?” she sputtered. “You and Mama spend money like it’s going out of style.”

“Ranching is a turbulent business. I took some hard hits with the recession a few years back and I’ve never fully recovered. I had to borrow to keep everything paid—a rob Peter to pay Paul type of thing. Eventually, it catches up to you.” He stroked his chin, a speculative look on his face. “The merger will fix everything though. It’ll give me a cash infusion to get all the debts paid, and the software will revolutionize the way ranching is done. Our ranch will be the test. Once we get things blowing and going here, we’ll roll it out to ranches and farms throughout the US.”

As she sat looking at her daddy, she got the feeling that maybe she didn’t know him as well as she thought. She wondered if her whole life had been a lie. Anger spiked through her like a thousand needles. “Riker was right, wasn’t he? You set us up.”

He looked shocked. Tears rose in his eyes. “No, honey.” His voice quivered. “I would never do that. You have to believe me. I wanted you to find happiness. If I thought Riker Dylan was the stand-up guy you thought he was, I’d give you my blessing this instant.” He put a hand over his heart. “It cuts me deep to see you hurting.” His face twisted as a sob broke loose in his throat. He jammed a fist in his mouth to stay the emotion, tears spilling down his cheeks as he closed his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he finally said, taking in a labored breath.

The sight of her tough daddy falling apart was almost more than Emerson could take. Tears pressed against her eyes, her pulse throbbing like a hammer against her temples.

“When I think about how that boy lied to you … how he went after you because of some bet with his girlfriend.” He balled his fist. “I want to beat the living daylights out of him.”

Humiliation burned through her veins like a thousand bee stings. Her daddy wasn’t lying. She could tell. In that moment, her heart turned to stone, drying her tears. She wouldn’t be defeated by this. No matter how much it hurt, she’d hold up her head and move forward.

Ethan’s voice grew pleading. “Don’t you see? The power lies within you to fix this. All you have to do is get engaged to a wonderful, kind man who adores you.” His eyes narrowed. “And by doing so, you’ll silence any of those yee-haws who are laughing because some flash-in-the-pan football player made a fool of you.”

Her mind raced to come up with another solution. “What about my inheritance? I’ve spent very little of it. You can use it to pay the debts. I’ve always wanted to manage the ranch. If given the chance, I could turn things around.” She could put her energy into the ranch operation. Then she wouldn’t have to think about Riker’s betrayal or Finley Landers. Yes, that was the ticket. The idea was the one sliver of sunlight behind the leaden clouds.

Ethan’s lips formed a grim line. “Thank you, kitten, but your inheritance would only be a drop in the bucket. The only way this thing can be fixed is if you agree to marry Finley. We need that merger or else this boat’s going down.” He gave her a piercing look as he reached for her hands, folding them in his. “What do you say? Will you save us?”