Mom scrunches up her face and shakes her head while Crystal scoffs, “You want us to eat here? Everything you all eat here is full of carbs and fats. I can’t eat anything here. I have to keep to my strict diet if I’m going to fit in my wedding dress.”
My eyebrows shoot up toward my hairline as my head snaps toward my sister. I replay her earlier words, and she definitely didn’t say she’s engaged. She said she’s dating him, not getting married to him.
“What do you mean, fit into your wedding dress? Did the guy you’re seeing ask you to marry him?” I sound confused as hell because I am.
“No,” Crystal laughs like I’m just the silliest thing, “nothing like that. But I need to be ready when he asks. I already know which designer will make me a one-of-a-kind couture dress.”
Mother smiles at her with pure indulgence. I can almost feel the money being drained out of the bank. But I won’t fight her on what she wants.
“As you know we’re going to New York in a few weeks. The Tahoe home will be redecorated when we’re gone.”
“Yes,” I try not to sound like I’m snarling at the woman, “I remember your phone call.”
“Well,” Mom tries to sound contrite, “going just to New York won’t be enough.”
Ah. I can see where this is going now and I already don’t like it.
“We’re going to spend a few days in New York, but then we’ll go to Paris and Milan. It’ll be the perfect spring wardrobe shopping trip. We’ll just miss fashion week, I think, but all the designers will open their shops for us,” she says it like I care.
I don’t.
“Mother,” I start and pinch the bridge of my nose, “I already agreed to the trip to New York, but that’s it. Going overseas is too much. I don’t know what is going to happen when it’s time to go to market again. There are no guarantees in ranch life.”
She narrows her eyes and I’m fairly sure she’s not listening anymore, but I still can’t help but add, “One viral outbreak or too much equipment breaking down and the whole year could be shot.”
I’m reminded about the trouble Kendrick Watts was having a few months ago over at Watts Ranch. He only found out about the problems because his father had a heart attack and he came back home after leaving years ago. Remembering when he confronted me, like I had anything to do with the issues over there, is still amusing as hell.
But I get it. If someone was sabotaging my operation, I’d look at everyone as a suspect. If Kendrick hadn’t come home and fallen in love with the town’s local good girl, would Watts Ranch still be going now?
It doesn’t take much for everything to crumble.
Mom’s mouth turns down into a frown as Crystal crosses her arms and pouts. “Who do you think you’re talking to? I don’t need to ask your permission. I’m telling you what is going to happen.”
“If you’re not here to ask for permission, why are you here?” The question is rude and my tone is gruff, but I can’t help myself.
I think I hear a snorted laugh from the other room but ignore it as I watch my mother turn a few shades of purple.
“I thought it would be nice to visit. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you, my only son and the pride of Sagebrush Ranch. You know,” she gets this wistful quality to her voice like it’s going to lull me into agreeing to anything, “I’ve always loved this land.”
The only thing I can do is stare at the woman. Even Crystal looks surprised for a moment before she smooths her face out into a vapid mask that makes me want to shake her.
“Fine,” Mother snaps, “I never liked it here. But I gave my life, my best years, to this place and it’s time I’m paid back.” Her lip curls, which is surprising because they look more enhanced since the last time I saw her, “You wouldn’t understand. You’re just like your father. He was a simple man who only cared about the land and the cows, too. He could never see the bigger picture and never found joy in the money he made.”
I think she’s meaning to insult me. I’m not insulted, I’m sad.
Sad that it’s come to this. Sad that this is her life. Sad that my sister seems to be just like her.
“You should be careful,” she threatens me, “I could easily take away everything you hold dear. The land? Gone, along with the ranch. Rosalie and whoever else you have running the placewould be out of here, and you’d be scrambling to find new meaning in your life.”
“Mother,” my voice holds a warning, one I hope she heeds but know she won’t.
“No,” she snaps, “I’m serious. You need to remember your place, Ford.”
The sigh I let out is layered in years of abandonment, fear of more cutting words, and the death of hope because Crystal just sits there without saying a word. I’m not sure it would matter whether she backed me up or not, but it would be a nice gesture.
“Fine,” I breathe out, “go on your trip. Enjoy it.”
After practically slamming her teacup down, Mom stands up, her movements brisk, “The fact that you think I came here for your permission is so disappointing, Ford.” She shakes her head at me. “You’ve always been a disappointment to me, so I shouldn’t be surprised.” I rear back and I swear her eyes fill with genuine tears. “You were always following your father around and treating him like a hero. Where were you when I needed you?”
