I knocked back the rest of my drink, the burn in my throat matching the one in my chest. It was obvious Cole wanted a fight, which meant I was gonna give him anything but. “What do you want from me, Cole?”
“I want you to fuckin’ leave and never come back,” he growled. “Just like you promised fifteen years ago.”
I stood up from the barstool, my world tilting dangerously as the alcohol took effect. “I’ll leave,” I said at last, pulling my coat on. “After I hear what’s in the will tomorrow.” Cole’s face fell and I couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah. I heard about that. You thought you’d just leave out that little detail, huh?”
“Fuck you,” he snapped. “Even if Dad left you anything, you don’t deserve it. I’m the one that’s been taking care of this place. Not you.”
“Oh no, poor little martyr,” I teased, waving him off like he was of no concern to me. Now I was just trying to make him mad, something I’d always enjoyed when it came to Cole. “Besides, I can’t just leave town without my family heirlooms.”
Cole’s arm began to raise and this time, Ireallythought he was going to hit me. But the woman behind the counter cleared her throat loudly, stopping Cole in his tracks.
“If you boys are gonna fight, go do it somewhere else,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
“I’m leaving,” I said, waving her off. “I got nothin’ to say to this asshole, anyway. I’ve already beat his ass once.”
I was nearly to the door when Cole’s voice stopped me.
“You ain’t takin’ the ranch,” he said, his voice gravelly and dangerous. “Not a single piece of it. I don’t care what Dad’s will says.”
I turned back, a big irritating smile on my face just for him. “Believe me, I don’t want a damn thing to do with your shitty ranch.” I pushed the door open. “You can keep it.”
Chapter 2
Cole
Istill couldn’t bring myself to sleep in the main house. Not since my father had died. To me, it was stillhishouse, his domain, and a place I couldn’t lay claim to. Then again, I wouldn’t know until the will reading whether or not I had any claim to it. But I didn’t put much stock in those doubts. After all, I was the one who had been running the ranch all these years. If anyone deserved to inherit it, it was me.
But as I lay in bed, watching the first pinks of dawn crawl across the horizon, I couldn’t help thinking that inheriting the ranch felt like a gilded cage. I loved the land and the work, that was true enough, but I couldn’t deny that there was part of me that despised the Nelson Ranch. I was far too young when I was forced to carry it all on my own shoulders. While my friends spent their youth at colleges and traveling abroad, having the time of their lives, I was up at five every morning, driving cattle, caring for horses, and making sure the bills got paid. The unfairness of it all felt so cruel back then. But now it was just a familiar dull ache in my chest, something I’d learned to ignore.
I sat up on the edge of the bed, not bothering to enjoy a nice stretch or feel the first rays of sun dance across my skin. I was too run down, too busy, and too sad to take in the little joyfulthings in life. I had a ranch to run, ranch hands that needed orders for the day, and a mountain of chores to finish before I went downtown for the will reading. The ranch didn’t care that Dad wasn’t cold in the ground yet. Someone had to keep it running, and that someone was always me.
I pulled on my jeans and a worn flannel shirt, my muscles aching in protest as I tugged my boots on. The mirror showed me a man I barely recognized anymore—dark circles under my eyes, stubble that was more neglect than style, and a hardness that hadn’t been there when I was younger. Before Jesse left. Before everything went to shit.
The bunkhouse was quiet as I made my way outside. Most of the hands wouldn’t be up for another half hour, but I liked getting a head start, surveying the property before anyone else was awake. The land looked different in the early morning light—softer somehow, less demanding. It was the only time of day I could almost feel at peace here.
I didn’t have much time to spend on it this morning, though. I had a long day ahead of me, and we were already behind thanks to the funeral. Still, I took a moment out at the fence, one leg propped on the lower rail as I leaned against the top. Tipping my cowboy hat back, I stared up at the eastern sky framed by the pine-covered mountains. Mist rolled down the hills and into the pastures while cattle lowed in the distance. Sometimes, even for the briefest moment, all of this turmoil felt almost worth it. This land had been in my family for generations. It was in myblood. There was no way I was letting it go now, no matter what that will said.
The screen door slammed up at the main house, pulling me out of my thoughts. Evelyn, the hired matriarch of the ranch, was up already, starting breakfast for the ranch hands. Even in the still morning air, I could already smell her coffee. If I let it get cold, she’d never forgive me.
I pushed away from the fence and headed toward the house, drawn by that rich aroma. Evelyn had been cooking for the ranch since I was a little kid, stepping in to fill the void my mother had left. After my stepmother died and Jesse took off, she became even more important, the closest thing to family I had besides Dad.
“Mornin’,” I called as I stepped into the kitchen, stomping my boots on the mat before putting my hat on the hook next to the door.
Evelyn turned, gray hair pinned back in a neat bun, her hands already busy with biscuit dough. “You look like hell warmed over, Cole Nelson.”
“Thanks. You always know how to make a man feel special.”
She snorted, turning back to her work. “Your father’s lawyer called. Said to make sure you’re on time today.”
I grunted, pouring myself a mug of coffee. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
“He also mentioned...” She hesitated, her hands stilling. “He mentioned Jesse was in town for it.”
“I know.” The coffee scalded my tongue, but I welcomed the pain. “Saw him at The Trough last night.”
“And?” Her eyes searched my face.
“And nothin’. He’s still the same selfish prick he always was.” I leaned against the counter, the memory of Jesse’s smug smile making my blood simmer. “Says he doesn’t want anythin’ to do with the ranch.”
