* * *
Josh called Linc later that afternoon. “It’s Friday. I was wondering if you and Carly are coming out to the ranch this weekend.”
There was a pause on the other end of the phone. “Haven’t decided. Why?”
“I need to fill you in on a couple of things. Rather do it in person, but if—”
“We’ll be there. Why don’t you come over to the house for supper? We’ll pick something up and bring it with us. Say about eight?”
“That’d be great.”
“You bringing Tory?”
He wanted to. And that was what bothered him. He wanted to be with her all the time. When he wasn’t with her, he was thinking about her. He wasn’t ready for a family. He had goals, things he needed to do. And what about his nightmares? He needed to deal with the past before he could think about the future.
He told himself he had no choice but to bring her and little Ivy with him. The thought of leaving them alone with all the trouble swirling around made his chest feel tight.
“Tory and Ivy, if that’s okay.”
“Sure. I’m just about to convince Carly to go off the pill. Might as well get used to the patter of little feet around the house.”
Josh chuckled. He was getting way too used to the sound himself. “I’ll see you at eight.”
He disconnected and went in to tell Tory not to worry about making supper. He found her out in the garden, turning over soil with a shovel. He didn’t like the feeling that moved through him as he watched her: desire, and a surge of protectiveness so strong his back teeth clenched together.
“Hey, babe, we’re invited to supper at Blackland Ranch. We can pick Ivy up on the way.”
She leaned on the shovel, her forehead glistening with perspiration. “I didn’t know this was going to be so much work.”
“Maybe you aren’t cut out for ranch life, after all,” he said, but as the words spilled out, his stomach knotted.
“Maybe not,” she said. She carried the shovel over and leaned it against the side of the house, walked back to where he stood.
“I don’t want to get in the middle of a family dinner. Ivy and I can just stay here.”
He shook his head. “Too much going on. I don’t want to leave you by yourself.”
“I’ll be fine.”
No way was he leaving her. “Linc and Carly want you to come.”
She hesitated, seemed surprised. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah.”And I want you to come. But he didn’t say that. He needed to take some time, figure things out. “I won’t worry if you’re with me.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.”
He wished he didn’t feel such a wave of relief.
He wished he knew what the hell to do.
* * *
Supper was over. Chinese food from some fancy restaurant in Dallas that cooked specialty items just for Linc. Carly, Tory, and Ivy were sitting in the living room. Josh could hear them laughing as Linc led the way down the hall to his home office so they could talk.
His brother walked behind his wide, dark oak desk and sat down, pulled open the bottom drawer and took out a bottle of Stagg Kentucky Bourbon, the expensive whiskey he favored. He poured two fingers neat into each of two crystal glasses and handed one to Josh.
Sitting in one of the dark oak chairs on the other side of the desk, Josh accepted the drink and took a sip.
