“Whatever you decide is fine with me.”
“I thought if I kept my promise all was good, but obviously there were strings my grandfather never discussed with me. He must have known what I was doing in California. He knew and said nothing.”
“Just because he knew what you did doesn’t mean he understands. He might have thought you could turn it on and off depending on where you’re living.”
“Jamie, he never approved of me. Why did he give me the ranch? Why?”
“It might have something to do with your parents.”
“I don’t know what to believe or what stories that old man told me all these years were crazy. I was too stupid to find out whether he was lying. Now he wants me to sell it to my cousin.”
“Do you want to do that?”
“I don’t know right now. And I don’t like how Aunt Millie behaved towards you. This is all fucking with my mind.”
“Maybe if you talked to Nathan. He might see something we don’t.”
“Maybe. He wants me out of here for different reasons. But he was right about you. About us.”
“Try not to stress yourself out by adding Nathan to the mix.”
“Whatever happens I want you with me.”
“I’m here, Daddy Spencer. I’m never leaving you.”
“I just need to hold you. Let’s get into bed.”
Jamie shed his clothes and slipped under the covers. Neither was certain of their future living arrangements. Jamie didn’t want to see Aunt Millie but knew he’d have to before all was said and done. And he didn’t want Spencer to have to sell the ranch.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Spencer
Spencer walked into the kitchen with Jamie trailing quietly behind him. The smell of bacon and cinnamon filled the air, warm and familiar, but it didn’t settle the ache in his chest. Aunt Millie was at the stove, flipping pancakes with her usual precision, her gray hair pulled back tight and her expression unreadable. He hadn’t expected her in his kitchen cooking after last night.
“Christmas breakfast will be served in the dining room,” she said without turning around.
Spencer murmured a polite “Thanks,” and led Jamie down the hall. The dining room was decorated for Christmas with garland along the windows, red and gold napkins folded neatly beside each plate, and a centerpiece of pinecones and candles. The table looked like something out of a catalog, but Spencer felt like he was walking into a scene he didn’t belong in. Why didn’t his home feel like home anymore? Aunt Millie and his grandfather had spoken harsh words to him before, but he had never felt displaced like this morning.
Nathan and Alfie were already seated, sipping coffee and chatting softly. Spencer pulled out a chair for Jamie, then sat down himself.
“We’ll open presents after breakfast,” he said, trying to sound upbeat. “Then we’ll go horseback riding. Should be a fun day.”
Nathan looked up from his mug. “You okay?”
Spencer hesitated, then gave a half-shrug. “Not sure. Mostly I feel like cattle trampled over me.”
Nathan’s voice was loud as he said, “We didn’t see you last night. Jamie must have worn you out,” and it was clear he was hoping to be heard in the kitchen.
They all laughed lightly, but the truth hung in the air. He kept glancing at Jamie, who was trying to stay cheerful, trying to make this feel like a holiday. Spencer couldn’t shake the weight pressing down on him.
Aunt Millie took her place at the table. “Merry Christmas,” she said.
They returned the holiday greeting.
She turned to Spencer as if he were the only one sitting at the table. “Your cousin Malcolm will visit you this evening to discuss business,” Aunt Millie said, her voice clipped as usual.
Spencer barely nodded, but inside, his stomach tightened. Malcolm. Just hearing the name made his jaw clench.
