But now, it’s over.
Finally.
“You’re sure?” I ask again, even though I’m starting to believe it. It’s hard to shake the feeling that it’s too good to be true, that something’s gonna pop up to ruin it all.
Miller gives me a tight smile. “I’m sure. He’s done. It’s just a matter of the court doing its thing now.”
I nod, finally feeling the weight lift off my chest. The sun’s starting to get hotter, the heat turning the world thick and dry, but I can finally breathe.
I give the sheriff a grateful nod. “Thanks, Miller.”
“Anytime, Clint. Keep everything on the up and up.”
“Yeah. I’ll handle it.” I watch him head back to his truck and get in, pulling out slowly down the gravel road.
Once he’s gone, I let out a long breath and stand there, looking out over the land, knowing everything’s going to be alright.
I head straight for the barn to find Reid and Sawyer. I can’t keep this to myself. They’ve been my crew, my brothers through this mess, and they need to hear the news.
When I get there, Reid’s leaning against the barn door, taking a swig from his water bottle, and Sawyer’s got his nose buried in the feed charts.
“You guys got a minute?” I ask, trying to keep the grin off my face, but it’s hard. Harder than I thought.
Reid looks up first, sensing something. “What’s up? You look like you’ve heard something good.”
Sawyer glances over his shoulder, catching my eye. “Yeah, you definitely don’t look like someone with a problem. What’s goin’ on?”
I let the silence hang for a beat, just to let it sink in, before I drop the news. “It’s over. Thomas Buck’s locked up. For good. Sheriff Miller says it’s all finally done.”
Sawyer straightens up, his brows shooting up. “Wait. For real?”
I nod, a small chuckle escaping me. “For real. His trial’s set. Miller says he won’t be walkin’ free for a long while. Not after everything he did.”
Reid lets out a whoop, tossing his water bottle up into the air, and it lands with a soft thud in the dirt. “Hell yeah! That son of a bitch finally got what’s coming to him!”
Sawyer shakes his head with a grin. “Took long enough.”
Relief floods me. Instantly, I feel so much better about everything. About the future, about my family, about the ranch.
It’s been a long time coming, but finally, we’ve got a win.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Dakota
I’m notsure how to do this.
How to tell him.
I want to tell him everything in the best way I can for his age, and I want to do it alone. Just in case he doesn’t react well.
I’ve always been Charlie’s safe place, and if this doesn’t go right, I need to be his safe place again.
I’ve been holding my breath for so long, waiting for the right moment, waiting for the world to stop spinning long enough for me to say the words that have been sitting heavy on my chest. But now, with Charlie cozy on his bed in the quiet of the morning, I know there’s no more putting it off.
I glance at him. He’s sitting cross-legged, flipping through one of his books. His little brows are furrowed in concentration as he tries to sound out the words.
He’s getting better at it. His mind is sharp, always absorbing, always asking questions.
