“He’s been looking at you like he loves you since he came to town all those years ago.”
“I—” I don’t know what to say. I don’t even know where Jax and I stand right now. The last twenty-four hours of our relationship haven’t been good ones. I know Olivia said I need to fight for him, but how do I know it’s worth it? Heartbreak sucks, and all of my instincts are screaming at me to get out while I can.
Dad gives a sheepish smile. “I don’t mean to embarrass you. You had to have known this was going to get back to me though. Your Nana can’t keep her mouth shut.”
“No, she can’t.” I laugh, swiping at the tears in my eyes.
“He’s a good man. It’s good for you to have someone else in your life to look out for you because I’ve clearly done a crappy job. I should’ve noticed the way my diagnosis was putting pressure on my girl. You’ve been through so much over the last few months, and I’m used to you handling it with such grace and strength that sometimes I forget I need to check in on you.” He pauses, taking my hand and looking me in the eyes. “You’re doing an amazing job, Biscuit. You’re running this ranch better than I did in the thirtyyears I had control of it. Your regenerative ag shift isgenius. I have no doubt you’re going to take Copper Hill to new heights.”
My heart clenches, and new tears form in my eyes. I had no idea how badly I needed to hear those words from him.
“Thank you.” My lip quivers as I drag him into a hug. “You know, you don’t need to give up every part of the ranch. You could horseback ride for the joy of it again. I recently started doing it for fun, and I highly recommend it.”
He flashes me a genuine smile that warms my heart. “That sounds amazing. Will you go with me?”
“If you’re there, I’m there. You already know that.” I squeeze him firmly but not too tight.
“Come on. I know I had a heart attack, but you can give me a real hug.” Dad pulls me tighter to him.
When we pull apart, he looks me in the eyes, concern lining his face. “Does Charlie know about you and Jax?”
“Yeah, I guess we royally sucked at keeping the secret. He figured it out before we could tell him.”
“How did he handle it?”
“Surprisingly well.”
“We should have Jax over for dinner soon. You know I love the kid, but I still need to have my ‘Dad Talk’ with him.” He sits up straighter, puffing his chest out. “I didn’t have it with Austin, and it’s one of my biggest regrets.”
“We can probably arrange that, but I have some things I need to sort out with him first.”
“What happened?” His prideful smile turns into a frown.
“I don’t know. He’s been acting weird.”
“That probably makes you want to run for the hills.”
I shrug. “Kind of.”
“I can tell you love him.” There’s a bittersweet look on Dad’s face. “I didn’t see that love in your eyes when you looked at Austin, but I’ve seen it between you and Jax, and darlin’, that’s the kind of love you fight for.”
Chapter Fifty-Two
Jax
I zip up my duffel,slinging it over my shoulder. I didn’t need to be at the Long Neck or Copper Hill today to work. The same committee responsible for decorating the bar for the New Year’s Eve party tonight will also be bartending, so this is my chance to go to Oklahoma and set things straight with my dad.
The mixture of adrenaline and determination coursing through my veins nearly mutes the sound of my phone ringing in my back pocket when I walk out the front door, but the added vibration is enough to bring my attention to it.
“Mom? What’s up?”
“Jax Greer. What have you done?”
“Well, hello to you too.” I scoff. “I’d love to stick around for my inevitable ass-whooping, but I’m in the middle of something. I’ll call you later, okay?”
“This can’t wait.”
The anger in her voice stops me in my tracks. “What’s going on?”
