A Cold Wife, Sweet Husband

The trees stopped spinning and her hearing returned to normal. She had both hands on the base of the club and the nail was pointed at his head. ―You're pathetic, she suddenly said, her voice dripping with disgust. Her ploy worked.

The snake coiled back. ―Do you know who you're talking to? ―Sure, I do. You hide behind your son to do most of your dirty work. You can't make it on your own merits in the workplace, so you use unethical means to wipe your competitors.

Then you have to drag a defenseless woman out of town so you can bankrupt another business. I've figured you out. A real man wouldn't have to resort to these low measures to succeed.

Having managed to catch him off guard, she swung the board straight for his head. Unfortunately, the horses got spooked and backed up so her aim was off as she walked him.

She lost her balance, fell off the side of the stagecoach and landed in the grass. Her right shoulder and hip hurt but she could easily move so nothing was broken.

She struggled to stand up since her dress wrapped around her legs. If she could wear pants, this would go so much easier! She didn't see Harrison Sr. anywhere but she did see Harrison Jr. riding up to them on a horse.

That explains why Franklin's horses jerked back. She wondered why the father hadn't locked the wheels in place. She saw a tree branch that had fallen off one of the trees and grabbed it. It wasn't as good as the club but it was something she could use to defend herself and Ryan.

She gasped. Was Ryan still in the stagecoach? Before she had a chance to look, Harrison Sr. appeared from the side of the stagecoach. She cringed.

The nail had swiped his left eye and part of his nose. He began to walk toward her when he noticed his son. He stopped. She braced herself as she watched Harrison Jr. walk up to his father.

―Tell me you're not doing what I think you're doing to Mrs. Monroe. Tell me you didn't do what I think you did to Mr. Allen, Mr. Rivers, Mr. Dean, and the Monroes, Harrison begged his father.

―Mind your own business, Junior, his father warned. ―Get back on that horse and return to town. His son closed his eyes and shook his head.

―I didn't want to believe Julie when she told me what you were doing. I stood up for you. I told her that there was no way you would sabotage other people's businesses, but here I am and here you are and Mrs. Monroe looks like she's fighting for her life. He looked at her.

―I'm sorry. For everything. ―I told you not to ask questions and not to believe what women tell you, his father angrily spat. ―You know, I spent my entire life trying to please you.

Just once I wanted to hear you say that you were proud of me. Just once! But you never did. I pushed myself hard to earn your respect and treated other people as objects to get things done for you.

―You don't understand how the real world works, Junior! Do you think it's all dinner parties and business meetings? It's survival of the fittest. You have to be tough and do whatever it takes to make it if you're going to be successful.