Well, isn’t that adorable?
RacingQueen: I’m getting ready to go on vacation, I need something to think about to keep me warm.
TheBigO: Sounds like you picked the wrong spot to visit.
His upside down smiley face makes me grin.
The knock on my door almost makes me drop my phone.
“Sophia? Do you want some hot tea?” Dad’s voice is low through the wood barrier.
Shit. That’s code for ‘we need to talk’.
“Yes, please,” I call out, tugging on a thick hoodie once I’m out of my blanket.
I don’t really want the drink, but I know if I refuse, he’ll just keep pushing.
Shoving my cell into the front pocket, I wrap my fingers around it and follow him towards the living room.
When I feel it vibrate, I almost pull it out to check, but the thin set of Dad’s lips warns me not to.
He already has teapot of hot water sitting on a coaster, with the variety box of flavors next to it.
With a sweep of his hand, he gestures towards the chair opposite of him.
“Dad? What’s up?” I know the funeral was this morning, followed by Sawyer rocking us all with his engagement to Val.
I’m just not sure how I fit into this.
“It’s about your brothers. Shit. Siblings. Next one might be a girl.” His mouth softens as he glances towards the closed door of his room.
“I’d love a baby sister.” I tear open the bag of chamomile and pour a steaming cup. “Are you including Sawyer in this conversation?”
Dad nods, scratching the whiskers on his jaw before dropping his gaze to his own mug. “Now that I know he plans on staying at the ranch, I want to talk to you about the future of Black Gulch.”
Swallowing hard, I wish my drink was cool enough to hide behind. “Dad, shouldn’t this be like, um, a family meeting?”
He nods solemnly. “It’s been an ongoing one. Now that your brother has made it clear he plans on sticking around, I want to lay out my plans for after I’m gone.”
Ice grips my heart. “What are you talking about?”
Is he sick?
“You and I both saw how fast shit can go south. It’s important to me to know that our family will be safe and taken care of.” He lets out a long breath and leans back, nursing his steaming mug. “Sawyer and you are the oldest of the next generation. Dixon and I can’t run this place forever.”
It makes me nauseated to think about anything happening to him.
“Dad, can we talk about this some other time?” I’m still torn up about the funeral.
The only thing that’s distracted me is Biggie.
But Dad shakes his head. “I need to know if you’re planning on staying too. You and Sawyer will need to work together to keep this place running. And then there’s Dixon’s kids, you’re younger brothers…” His voice trails off. “Lori,” he chokes out. “I’ll talk to Sawyer later, but it’s important. To me.”
Pain tinges every word making me reach out to cover his wrist with my palm. “I’m staying. I know I might not be the best at allof this—” My arm waves around in a wild circle. “—it’s kinda why I majored in business. I might not knowhowto fix a truck, but I can keep track of the expenses and where to bill it to.” I squint at him over a sideways smile.
“Well, your brother may not realize it yet, he brings a lot of that kind of knowledge to the table. He’s learned it whether he wanted to or not.” Dad’s cheek rises slightly. “You two will make a good team. The ranch is divided evenly between Dixon and I, with each of our kids getting a share. There’s terms in the trust to discuss change of leadership eventually if you opt out.”
My cold knot in my stomach doesn’t lighten.
