“I’m listening,” Aiden says, some of his bravado gone.
“Good. I have one rule on this ranch.” He points to me but keeps his eyes on Aiden’s. “No one fucks with her. You don’t yell at her, you don’t swear at her, you absolutely donotpunch a wall anywhere near her. You treat Willow with respect. That’s it. We’ll figure everything else out as we go. You got that?”
Aiden’s eyebrows pull together as if he regrets what he did, and then he licks his lips and offers Ryker a nod.
“Yeah. I got it.”
“Good.” He turns back to me. “Where are your bags?”
I shake my head. “I’ll bring him in and pick him up every day.”
Ryker scowls. “That’s a lot of driving, Wills.”
“Well, I’m not leaving him. Everyone else in his life has abandoned him, and I’m not going to ever do that.” Aiden’s gaze whips up to mine in surprise. “No matter how much of a brat he is, he’s my brat, and he goes where I go. So I’ll bring him every morning, and I’ll pick him up at the end of the day.”
Ry shakes his head and then sighs as he rubs his hand over the back of his neck. “Fine. He’ll be done by around six every day.”
I nod, and I want to reach out and hug my boy, but I know he won’t allow that to happen, so I just pat him on the arm.
“I love you, buddy. You’ve always loved the ranch. You’ll enjoy working out here.”
“Right.”
He hasn’t saidI love you tooin years. It shouldn’t hurt me anymore.
But it does.
“I’ll see you this evening.”
He nods, and I turn to Ryker.
“Thank you. Call me if you need me.”
“That’s my line.” He grabs my hand and pulls me in for a hug, and then he plants his lips on my forehead and kisses me so tenderly, it almost brings tears to my eyes. “He’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
“Don’t you know?” I laugh as I pull away and saunter to the car. “Worry is my middle name. Willow Worry. It has a ring to it.”
I’m shocked to see that Aiden looks like he wants to smile, but then it’s gone.
“Drive safe,” Ry says.
“Have fun,” I reply, and leave the ranch.
I really hope this works. I want my happy kid back.
Chapter Six
Ryker
Goddamn it, I want her to stay. I hate that she’s driving back and forth, and I have a project going in the house as we speak that will make it possible for her to work here. But it’s her choice. I won’t force her.
When Willow’s car fades from view, I turn to look at Aiden, who’s suddenly taken a keen interest in the ground at his feet. His hands are in the pockets of his baggy jeans, and he shuffles back and forth on his sneaker-clad feet.
I see a lot of myself in him when I was that age.
Attitude.
Chip on his shoulder.
