“Wire the money,” said Mona, like he knew she would because, as it usually had been in their married life, if Austin complained about the cost of anything, Mona wanted it all the more.
“I’ll wire the money when I get the paperwork for full custody of Bea and not before,” said Austin, a little shook at the coldness in his own voice.
Austin clutched the phone in both hands and waited. The trick was to stand your ground with Mona, at least when it was most important. If he could be brave during the next few seconds, Bea would be his daughter, his and his alone, and Mona’s neglect and disapproval of Bea would be a thing of the past.
On the other end of the line he heard Mona talking and a low voice responding to her. Then with a huff, Mona was on the line.
“Roger says we’re going to do that but you need to sendtwomonth’s alimony.”
Together, Mona and Roger were making him pay for his own daughter, like she was an object to be traded, bought and sold. But love was more important than money, so Austin swallowed his strangled reply, along with a half-hysterical laugh.
“Do you want half up front?” he asked, politely.
Austin heard more sounds of conversation, as though Roger and Mona were discussing the issue.
Then Mona came back.
“Roger says he trusts you.”
“All right, then,” said Austin, not having any idea what to make of Roger except that he was a money-grubbing asshole who deserved Mona and then some. “It is Sunday, but I bet you could get Mr. Bledsoe on the line and have him get the papers together, along with your e-signature. Then you can send everything by overnight, to arrive tomorrow.”
“Fine.” Mona’s response was clipped, but it was obvious she didn’t care how he felt about it, or how Bea might feel about it. She only cared that she’d gotten what she’d wanted, and what she’d probably not realized she’d wanted, which was to have no daughter at all.
“That sounds great, Mona,” he said, being his boldest self. “We’ll figure out the details of Bea visiting you, but anyway, bye for now.”
He hung up, his thumb on the phone as he clutched the phone in both hands. And decided he wouldn’t say anything to Bea until the papers were signed, just in case Mona pulled a fast one. Then he slumped as he clunked the phone on the nightstand.
Dealing with Mona was exhausting, trying to figure her next move, impossible. He just had to move forward like it was going to be smooth sailing.
And he needed to talk to Clay. Needed to figure out where he and Bea would live, because surely the idyl that was the ranch couldn’t continue forever. How far away he’d have to move to find a good school for her, he didn’t know, but it might be too far to continue what he had with Clay, even as it was just starting. But then, he’d have Bea to look after, and surely that was the most important thing. His own needs would have to be sacrificed.
“Bea,” he called, standing up, reaching for yesterday’s blue jeans, scrambling into his shirt and his boots. “Time to get up. Time to go to breakfast. Are you awake?”
As though from a distance came a sleepy affirmation. But like the good girl she was, Bea got dressed while he shaved and then he helped her get ready and brushed her hair into a ponytail, which, after yesterday, seemed quite appropriate. She insisted on wearing her cowboy boots and hat, even though there wouldn’t be any riding that day, and hand in hand they marched up to the main lodge, meeting Leland along the way.
“Hey there,” said Leland, with a wave. “It’s a beautiful morning, prettiest of the season.”
“That it sure is,” said Austin, agreeing, stomach sinking at the fact he’d soon have to give his notice and move on from the ranch, and mornings like this one would only be a memory.
The gathering in the dining hall was thin, occupied only by staff, as it was Sunday with no guests due till at least noon. Austin helped Bea get her pancakes and bacon, urged her to take a little bowl of honeydew melon, got himself the same, and a huge mug of coffee, black, so he had enough energy to face the day. To face Leland, and more importantly, to face Clay and tell him how everything was going to change.
Just as he put his tray down next to Bea’s at the long table, he spotted Clay going out.
“Bea,” he said to her. “Stay here and eat with Leland, okay? Leland, I’ll be right outside the door but I need to—”
“Not a problem,” said Leland. “You all right staying with me, young miss?”
Bea covered her mouth and giggled and Austin hurried out of the dining hall and down the wooden steps of the main lodge, there to catch up to Clay halfway to the barn.
“Hey,” said Clay, turning at the sound of Austin’s footsteps. “I’m sorry I couldn’t wait breakfast, but a bunch of cows and horses broke through the barbed wire early this morning, and Quint, Brody, and I are going to round up the animals and patch it up.”
“I wanted to tell you—” Austin’s breath caught in his throat at the way the sunlight lit up Clay’s fair hair and the warmth of the morning flushed his cheeks, and how he stood there, sturdy and strong and just about ready for anything the day might throw at him—except what Austin was about to tell him.
“What’s up?” asked Clay. “Do you mind walking? I have to be at the barn about five minutes ago.”
“I’ll tell you quick,” said Austin. He reached out and tugged on Clay’s arm, not wanting to share this news with anyone else but Clay.
“Okay.” Clay stopped, looking at Austin full on, rather than having half his mind on the task ahead of him. “What is it? You look funny. Is Bea okay?”
