“It would be nice.”
“You know he doesn’t like me.”
“You’re his son. Of course he doesn’t like you.”
“If only I were Lizzy,” he sighed. “That girl can do nothing wrong.”
“That’s because she’s the baby in the family.”
Gathering the books, I tucked them under my arm and headed for the door. This was one meeting I wasn’t looking forward to, but it was necessary.
Pop was stuck with the idea that we could somehow salvage the ranch and take it back to its glory days. That was never going to happen without an influx of money, and since none of us were millionaires, it was doubtful we’d ever see cattle roaming on this land again.
“When we get there, just try to keep things positive.”
He slid into the truck beside me and nodded. “Right, so no talk about how we think Austin is trying to sabotage the business.”
“That would help.”
“And I suppose we should leave out the fact that your accident was not an accident.”
Gritting my teeth, I glared at him. “What do you think?”
“Then I guess we shouldn’t tell him that you’ve called in Archer either.”
“He never liked Archer.”
“Well, he did get the tractor stuck in the river,” Jeff muttered.
“I’m aware.”
“And then there was the time he knocked over the lantern and nearly sent the hay up in flames because he was making out with Krista in the hay loft.”
“You know, you don’t need to remind me of all the ways Archer has pissed off Pop.”
“I’m just saying, bringing Archer back seems like a precarious idea.”
I shifted into drive and hit the gas. “Look at you, using big words and shit.”
“Hey, I’ll have you know there are more brains in this head of mine than any of you give me credit for.”
“Then why don’t you try using them for once?”
“And waste my talents on the likes of you?” he snorted. “No thanks. I’m saving up all my ideas for something big.”
“Yeah? The ranch is barely holding on by a thread. Don’t hold those big ideas back too much longer, or you’ll lose your house along with everything else.”
When I parked outside my parents’ house, Pop was already sitting on the porch, drinking coffee as he stared out at the empty pasture. There was a time when he would be out working before the sun even rose, but now, not much could get him motivated.
“I can tell this is gonna be fun,” I muttered.
Jeff grabbed my sleeve just before I could get out. “If he mentions anything about his missing toolbox, just pretend you don’t know what he’s talking about.”
“But…I don’t know anything about it.”
“Then you’ll have no problem lying.” Jumping out, he raised his hand as he walked toward the porch. “Morning, Pop!”
Grabbing the books, I got out, slamming the door behind me. “Morning.”
