Emerson smiled replying to Riker’s text. They’d been going back and forth since yesterday. This time, he asked about her favorite foods. She put pizza and sushi.

He responded back with a string of emoji faces with grimaces. Can’t do sushi, but I like pizza.

She replied. Oh, I like barbecue too.

He gave her a thumbs up emoji. I can’t wait to see you at church

She texted back. Can’t wait to see you either. I’ll be the freckle face in the green dress.

Love those freckles! I’ll be the one with the goofy grin thinking how lucky I am to have such a beautiful woman by my side.

The compliment warmed her through to her toes.

THANK YOU! she put in all caps.

They’d decided to meet in the church parking lot. Riker asked if he could pick her up at her home, but Emerson said it would be easier to just meet there. She was going to have to come clean about her identity—sooner rather than later, especially if this thing with Riker continued. Who was she kidding? Just thinking about seeing him again was turning her into a bundle of nerves. Of course, she wanted to continue it.

She applied her mascara and brushed powder over her face. The final touch was cinnamon lipstick. She fluffed her hair and sprayed a few squirts of hairspray. The trick would be getting out of the house before running into Mama. Yesterday, the intolerable woman had given her the third degree, wanting to know where she went during the barbecue. Emerson told her she’d met up with one of her work friends to have dessert. She hated lying to her mama, but, geez, she was twenty-five years old—way too old to have to give a play-by-play of where she’d been. Unfortunately, the minute Emerson moved back into the ranch, her mama started treating her like she was a teenager again. It was time to start looking for a place of her own.

She reached for her cologne and sprayed it into the air, stepping into the mist. Next, she placed her phone in her purse and slid the strap over her shoulder. She did one final check in the mirror before leaving the room.

When she got to the front door, her mama’s voice stopped her cold. “Where are you going all dressed up?”

Crap! The warden got to her before she could escape her gilded cage. Emerson turned. “Hey, Mama. I’m going to church.” Surely Mama wouldn’t give her flack about that.

Catherine arched an eyebrow, folding her arms over her chest. “Don’t tell me … it’s with that same co-worker you were with the other night.”

The cynicism dripping from Mama’s voice grated on her nerves.

“You should come with me, Mama, it couldn’t hurt you to get a little religion in your life.” Maybe it could make you a little kinder, she added to herself.

“No thanks,” she said dryly. She tapped her manicured nails on her arms. “I’m afraid you’ll have to put church on hold, dear, because we’ve got other plans.”

Emerson gurgled out a disbelieving laugh. The woman was impossible! Mama was also wearing a dress—not her usual Sunday morning lounge-around-the house attire. Her daddy came into the foyer and stepped beside Mama, draping his arm around her shoulders. He looked at Emerson.

“Morning, cupcake.” He smiled broadly. “You look great.”

“Thanks,” she said automatically. Daddy was dressed in tan slacks, a button-down shirt, and dress shoes. Even in his older age, he was stately with jet-black hair, graying around his temples and coal-black eyes. He was big and grand in looks and mannerisms. His sentences rolled out in soothing ballads. He reminded Emerson of the actor Alec Baldwin. Emerson frowned. “What’s going on?”

A puzzled look crossed his features. “We’re going to brunch at the club with the Landers.”

Emerson’s eyes bugged. “What?” She shook her head. “No, I have another appointment.” She had to get going, otherwise she’d be late. “I’m going to church.”

He turned to Caroline. “I thought you told Emerson we’re getting together with the Landers this morning.”

“Well, of course I told her,” Caroline spat, her face turning as red as her hair.

“No, you didn’t,” Emerson countered. “I would’ve remembered.” She planted her feet on the floor, letting Mama know she wasn’t backing down. Then she gave her daddy a pleading look. “She didn’t tell me, Daddy. And I’ve already made other plans.”

He rubbed a hand over his short salt and pepper beard, his heavyset brows bunching. “Cupcake, I’m sorry for the mix-up, but this brunch is kind of important.”

Irritation crawled up Emerson’s neck, her voice rising. “Because of the merger?”

He blinked like he was taken back by her outburst. “Well, yeah. That and the fact that Finley’s coming with Fiona and Kenton.” He gave her an encouraging smile. “I know he’d like for you to come with us. Finley was disappointed that you left the barbecue early. He’s a top-notch guy, sugar. If you’ll just give him a chance—”

“Save it,” she barked, then clamped her lips shut when she saw her daddy’s shocked expression. Emerson had been raised to respect her elders, but this was too much. She wouldn’t be corralled into marrying Finley. Silence descended over the room, sending guilt trickling over Emerson. She wasn’t trying to be disrespectful, only trying to get her point across. She eyed them both. “Look, I know y’all have it all worked out in your minds that Finley and I are going to end up together, but that’s not going to happen.”

Ethan’s face grew slack. “But you and Finley are crazy about each other.”

She let out a sharp laugh. “No, we’re not. We’re just friends. Nothing more.”

“You told me that you were over the moon for him,” Ethan continued. “Remember? We sat in the breakfast room and talked about it.”

Exasperation squeezed Emerson’s heart. “When I was sixteen.”

Ethan looked at Caroline in confusion. “I don’t understand what’s happening here.”

Caroline’s eyes sparked fire as she zeroed in on Emerson. Had her daddy not been in the room, Emerson was sure her mama would’ve have given her a tongue-lashing. Instead, Caroline gave Ethan a reassuring smile, placing a hand on his arm. “It’ll be all right,” she said smoothly. “Emerson’s not sure what she wants right now.”

“The heck I’m not,” Emerson countered, her hand going to her hip.

The doorbell rang.

Caroline ran a hand over her dress and put on her best debutante smile, but her eyes radiated a warning. “You will be on your best behavior,” she commanded through gritted teeth.

Ethan gave her a look of sheer panic. “Please, honeybun, do this for me, okay?”

Emerson didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The whole thing was ridiculous. They were treating her like a piece of livestock. Why in the heck had Daddy orchestrated a merger contingent on her ending up with Finley? What was this? The Dark Ages?

Her daddy’s eyes held hers. “Would you do it for me, honey?”

She thought of the church, how Riker would be waiting—blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, rugged features. An arrow shot through her heart, making her long to be with Riker so badly, that for an instant, she could hardly breathe.

Caroline strode to the door and opened it. “Fiona, Kenton,” she said, gushing warmth as she hugged them. “Come in.” A bright smile curved her cherry red lips. “Finley, I’m so glad you came. Emerson’s been dying to see you.”

A silent scream rose in Emerson’s throat. She had to get away from this world. It would beat the life out of her little by little until there was nothing left but a plastic smile, designer dress, and a litany of meaningless trivialities. In other words, she’d turn into her mama. Her thoughts rushed to Riker. He agreed to go to church with his family because of her. And she would be forced to cancel on him last minute.

As usual, Finley looked the part of privilege in his crisp, blue polo shirt and slacks rolled tight at the ankles. No socks—Docksider shoes. He was handsome with his boyish, rogue looks and charm. But zero sparks. She’d nearly flat-lined during their kiss. Finley looked her up and down, not trying to hide his appreciation. “You look fantastic,” he said, kissing her on the cheek.

“Thanks,” she said tightly.

Fiona and Kenton smiled simultaneously like they were taking their instructions from the same cue card. “You look lovely, darling,” Fiona said. She went to Emerson air-kissing her on both cheeks. Her bold perfume stung Emerson’s nostrils and tickled her throat. She averted her face, letting out a slight cough. Fiona’s honey blonde hair was short and spiky on top. Long, gold hoops dangled from her ears, and she was drenched in a thick gold necklace and matching bracelet. Tall and model skinny, Fiona had sharp, small features that reminded Emerson of a ferret.

Emerson forced a smile, her hand going to her neck. The noose kept getting tighter and tighter.

Caroline brought her hands together. “Are we ready?”

Angelica the housekeeper stepped into the foyer as if on cue. Caroline turned to her. “Tell the chauffeur to bring the car around the front.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She hurried away.

“I need to go to the restroom,” Emerson blurted.

“Now?” Caroline asked, giving her an icy look.

“Yes,” she countered, before anyone could argue. “I’ll be right back.” She rushed down the hall, her heels making a frantic clopping sound that mirrored the beating of her heart. She had to at least text Riker to let him know she wouldn’t be there. As soon as she got inside the bathroom, she locked the door and reached for her phone.

She wondered if she should call and try to explain it to him. No, he’d ask too many questions. Her fingers flew over the keypad. I’m so sorry, but something came up. I won’t be able to make it today.

She held her breath, waiting for a response.

Nothing.

Her heart dropped. Was he so angry that he wasn’t responding? Or maybe he was on his bike? Yes, that was probably it. She waited another couple of minutes, hoping he’d reply, but no luck. Having no other choice, she shoved the phone in her purse and went back to the foyer.

A few minutes later, when they got into the limousine, Finley brushed his leg against hers. She tensed, angling away from him so their legs wouldn’t touch. Amusement flickered in his acorn-colored eyes as he draped an arm around her.

“Don’t,” she warned through gritted teeth.

He leaned in and whispered in her ear. “How was the rodeo, Starr?”

Her first reaction was a sense of horror that he knew her secret, then fury took over. “Are you threatening me?” she asked in a low tone.

He winked. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.”