Hayden’s gaze didn’t waver.“What about Walker?”
“It’s my fault that he’s dead.I have…” He had to swallow before he could continue, “…I have to do his work as well.”Ellie had been the one who’d shown him what he was trying to do.
Clearly stunned, Hayden stared at him.“That’s bull and deep down you know it.Walker’s death was an accident.I get why you’re saying that, though.For a long time, I couldn’t forgive myself, either, thinking it was my fault.I was the one behind the wheel that night, remember?I was the one who swerved when I saw the elk in the road.”
“I could’ve grabbed his arm!”Becket cried out.“I was right there next to him but, because my mind was on my next art project, I wasn’t paying attention…”
Hayden reached out and touched him.“There wasn’t anything any of us could’ve done.I’ll tell you what Willow told me—go and talk to Walker.”
“Walker isn’t here anymore.”
“I know.Talk to him, anyway.Tell him what you’ve told me.”He grinned.“Sounds crazy, I know, but then we’re constantly told we Westons are a weird lot.Lately, I even have to guard my thoughts around Luke.Like his aunt and uncle, my son seems to have the ability to read my mind.”
Dazed, Becket shook his head.“There is no way I can leave you guys in the lurch…”
“You won’t be.Just tell me what you want to do.And damn it, get some sleep.You look bad.Coop and I have this afternoon covered.Why don’t you go and finish that painting job in Ellie’s bedroom, so that you can get to bed at a reasonable hour tonight?”
Nodding, Becket turned away.
“And Becket?”Hayden waited until Becket looked at him again.“While you’re with Ellie, tell her how you feel about her.”
Dejected, Becket threw up his hand.“I don’t know what I feel, but it doesn’t matter anyway.”
Hayden stepped closer.“Because of Walker?Because he can never have a future?”
“How…?”
“…do I know?Because that was exactly what I thought.Do you think for one minute that Walker wouldn’t have wanted you to be happy?To get married, have kids?If you won’t listen to me, talk to him.The view from the graveyard is spectacular this time of year.And remember, whatever you decide, this ranch will always be your home.”
His throat too clogged to speak, Becket nodded and quickly left Hayden’s office.He didn’t head back to the kitchen, where Willow, Cooper and Laura might still be, but escaped through the front door.
The dogs were waiting outside.Harper stayed close to him as he walked toward his truck.As usual, she’d picked up on his mood.As he helped her into the truck, she licked his face.Jack and Sadie followed her lead as they usually did and covered him in dog kisses.“Okay, you lot.I’m okay.”Smiling, he closed the back of the truck.They always made him feel better, no matter what happened.
“Let’s get you home.I’m going to help Ellie this afternoon, but we’ll be back later.”
When he mentioned Ellie’s name, all three barked.
“Yeah, I know.I like her too.”
As he drove away, his mind was busy.Finally, he took out his phone.June Kincaid kept sending emails, maybe he should give her a call.
Moments later she picked up.“I never answer a call from a strange number; please tell me this is ET Beck?”
“You keep sending me emails,” he said.
“Because you keep ignoring me!”she laughed.“Don’t you like the offer from the publisher?”
“I do.I just don’t know whether it’s a scam.”
“Where are you?”
“On the ranch.”
“A cowboy, I should’ve known.Nearest town?”
“Marietta, Montana.”
“Of course it would be.Okay, tell you what.I’m in Seattle, but I’m getting on the first plane.I’ll text you the details, but keep your afternoon free tomorrow.And relax, this is no scam.I’ll forward you the link to our website, you can do your own digging.I hope to see you tomorrow.”
