“Well,” Dad grunts from the other end of the table. “I guess that answers that question.”
“Was there a doubt?” Oliver’s chest rumbles against my side. Then he turns, almost tickling my cheek with his whiskers. “I don’t think he believed me.”
“About what?” This whole reveal is like Christmas.
“Us.” His palm tightens on my hip.
I’m so tempted to kiss him.
That might be awkward so soon in front of my dad and uncle. Maybe tomorrow?
“Soph?” Dad clears his throat. “Are you really going to be staying at his place now?”
I can’t tell if it’s excitement or pain pinching his temples.
“Yep.” There’s no hesitation in my reply.
We’re skipping steps, and I’m ready for it.
“I’m glad you’ll still be close.” Dad tilts his own Stetson up, then leans back. “Did you tell him about the shit that’s been happening here? And how it drifted over to Libby’s dairy?”
Oliver’s thumb snugs into my beltloop as I shake my head.
“Not most of it,” I admit. “I didn’t want to scare him.” I squint a side-eye towards Oliver when I see his features cloud.
“He needs to.” Dad props his elbows on the edge and threads his fingers. “We lost the north pasture contract. It’s the same LLC that Blue suspected of running our rustled cattle through.”
Shit.
I’ll never forget the day he landed that contract.
It’s when Lori and I were taken by Cash and Trevor.
“It’s all connected, isn’t it?” My words are barely a whisper.
Dad and Uncle Dixon nod silently.
“Okay, this has some sort of significance. Can someone please explain?” Oliver’s hand slides up my back and he readjusts us both to face Mason.
“How far would you go to save your family?” Uncle Dixon says gruffly, pursing his mustache.
Oliver’s other arm drops, circling my waist. “I’d do anything it takes.”
“Good man.” Dad’s hat dips, covering his gaze. “The day I landed that contract, I was down signing the paperwork when I got a call.” He pauses, swallowing hard.
I’ll never forget it.
“Two guys ambushed andtookLori and Sophia.” He raises his chin.
I can feel the tension in Oliver’s body against me.
“Ford and I got ‘em back. That pair of assholes, well, they didn’t quite leave in one piece.” Dad’s jaw clenches and his eyes burn into me.
I can see the pain flickering through him. But I’ll forever be grateful for what he did.
“These are the kind of people we’re dealing with. Soph? Without that ground, we’re gonna be running real lean on browse. I was running some ideas past Oliver before you got here, but the first thing we should discuss is your herd.” When Dad reaches for the coffee pot to refill his cup, I can see the tremor in his hands.
That happens every time he talks aboutthat day.
