Cooper knew exactly what Izzy meant. He’d spent his life doing the same thing. Chasing dreams seemed to be the only thing he knew how to do.

Forcing himself out of the truck, Cooper walked around to stand in front as he glanced through the crowd. So many reporters that he recognized, most of them national news, but he did see some local station vans.

Shit.

This was not going to be fun. He had hoped for just a little more time.

Pulling his hat lower on his head, Cooper tucked his hands in his pockets and started through the cluster with his face pointed down toward the ground. Considering he was filthy from working outside all day, he hoped no one would recognize him. At least not until he got to Tessa.

“Is it true that Cooper Krenshaw got another woman pregnant and then disappeared on her?” The reporter didn’t sound familiar, but there were so many people trying to talk, he wasn’t sure he’d recognize them anyway. The question, however, wasn’t anything new. He was used to the lies and the made up stories.

When there wasn’t an answer, he considered that a good thing. At least Tessa wasn’t giving in to them.

“Is it true, Ms. Donovan, that your husband was killed in the line of duty?”

Oh, fuck. It was one thing for them to question her about him, but something else entirely for them to target her personally.

“It’s true.” Tessa’s voice sounded weak and uncertain.

“And is it also true that, since his death, you’ve been known to hook up with various country music singers that play in your bar?”

What. The. Fuck.

“No, that isn’t true,” Tessa answered quickly.

“Do you have a relationship with Cooper Krenshaw?” A male voice sounded from somewhere in the back.

“Is it true that Mr. Krenshaw stole your property from you? That he came in and decided to take over your plans to build a horse ranch?”

“No, that is absolutely not true,” Tessa said adamantly, and Cooper stopped in his tracks to look at her. He hadn’t yet made it through the masses, but her response to the question had brought him up short.

“Cooper… I mean, Mr. Krenshaw moved to Devil’s Bend with the intention of doing something exceptionally special. Mr. Krenshaw and his manager are working to build an equestrian center that will be used to work with the disabled, both children and adults. This was Mr. Krenshaw’s dream, and the town of Devil’s Bend is blessed that he chose this as his place to start his venture.”

Cooper’s heart swelled. The way she defended his reputation, knowing full well that what the reporter asked was nothing short of the truth, didn’t surprise him. Tessa Donovan never sought the limelight. As a matter of fact, she always seemed to be the one in the shadows.

“But it is true that you were purchasing the land that he came in and bought?”

“Mr. Krenshaw had the funds necessary to complete the sale long before I would have. And it wouldn’t have mattered anyway because hearing of his intention for the property, I would’ve bowed out gracefully anyhow.”

“This wasn’t just my dream,” Cooper said loudly, his voice carrying over the group, several people whirling on him, microphones being tossed in his direction almost instantly. “I might’ve been the one to buy the land, but once I met Tessa, I knew that I couldn’t do this without her. In fact, this was her dream. She’s the one who has rounded up volunteers to help build the center and to implement the programs.”

Cooper was moving closer to Tessa, but she was backing away, her head shaking back and forth as though telling him to be quiet. He was done being quiet. A solid week had passed since he had talked to her. Here she was defending him when she should be cursing his name for the way he waltzed into her life, taking over all of her good intentions.

“Cooper! Cooper! Can you tell us more about Tabitha Johnson? There was a rumor that you are the child’s father. Is that true?”

Cooper fought to keep his face expressionless as he stared at Tessa. He’d told her the story, but he could still see the hurt in her eyes.

Feeling as though he needed to defend himself, Cooper was just about to answer, when a gruff voice sounded from behind him.

“It’s not true.”

Cooper turned abruptly to see his father standing just a few feet away. The relief that flooded him was almost enough to steal the air from his lungs. He’d been waiting for this, stalling for time and here his father was. Which meant…

“Thank you all for coming out today, folks. I’m not sure why you’re here, but now that you are, I’d be happy to answer any questions that I can. In case you don’t know who I am, my name is David Krenshaw. I am Cooper’s manager.”

“What happened to Marcus Evergreen?” one woman called from the group.

“Mr. Evergreen and Mr. Krenshaw decided to part ways. It is my understanding that Mr. Evergreen has decided to pursue other artists, and I’m sure he’d be more than happy to answer any questions you have. I, however, cannot speak for him.”

Cooper slipped into the bar as soon as his father had gained the attention of the horde of reporters. He fully expected to see Tessa because he’d lost sight of her when his father had caught his attention. Unfortunately, the bar was empty, with the exception of Izzy and Eric.

“Where is she?” he asked in a rush, letting his eyes adjust to the dim light of the bar.

“Where is who?” Eric asked, turning to face him.

“Tessa. She was just outside. Where’d she go?”

“She didn’t come this way,” Izzy said, concern lacing every word.

Cooper turned back and reemerged in the crowd, trying to see over them. That was when he saw her sneaking around to the back of the building. Without worrying about who saw him, Cooper took off at a flat out run, his boots skidding on the gravel as he turned the corner. He caught up with her just as she was getting into her truck.

“Tessa, don’t,” Cooper commanded, but she appeared to be ignoring him. He caught the edge of the door seconds before she would’ve slammed it closed. “We need to talk.”

“No, Mr. Krenshaw, we don’t,” Tessa stated with remarkably little emotion in her voice.

Gripping her chin between his thumb and his forefinger, he turned her to face him, aware that he was being the aggressor, but unable to stop himself. “We are gonna talk.”