Cody plastered on a smile.
Kirk started in their direction.
“You need to seriously get over whatever happened with Brooke and Brad and you turning into the overprotective big brother.”
“You saw that?”
Kristi eyed him. “It’s not hard to miss the way she looks at you. But she’s your stepsister and you need to shut that down. People notice. It’s…not right.”
“There’s no blood between us. We weren’t raised together. I was grown when she and Susanne moved in. They had a hard life before they came to the ranch.”
Susanne had taken a job as the new cook and housekeeper for him and his father. She’d arrived with next to nothing and a spindly little girl, so painfully shy and quiet, Brooke had trouble making friends at the fourth new school she’d attended in her short life. Cody saw how much she liked the ranch and the horses, and he’d made a point to try to help her fit in. Maybe she got a little carried away by his attention and didn’t see the reality of their situation the way he did, but it wasn’t his fault she’d been lovestruck.
Just like his dad, who fell head over heels for Brooke’s mom, Susanne. The normally stoic, hard man had melted like butter every time Susanne came into a room. Cody had never seen his father’s cold eyes soften with what could only be described as love like they did when he looked at her. After his wife walked out on him, Cody understood why he’d hardened his heart, even if Cody had been hurt by it as a child. He couldn’t remember his father ever being soft or kind to anyone if a rough demand got him what he wanted faster. Susanne changed him. And Cody.
In his last years, his father had seemed happy for the first time in his life. He’d been different. Cody might not have wanted a stepmother and stepsister, but he’d thank Susanne every day for giving his father the best years of his life.
He’d even told Cody he was proud of him at his law school graduation. For the first time, Cody felt connected to his dad, like he’d finally measured up. It had made a huge difference in his life. And when his father passed away of a heart attack only two years ago, he was able to say goodbye to the man without regrets. Susanne had taught a tough old goat how to love, and he’d loved them all well before they’d lost him.
His father, who in the past would have looked at a little girl as useless on a ranch, took a shine to Brooke and taught her everything he knew about ranching. He’d treated her like his own, and Brooke tried so hard to earn his praise and pride. Her own father had abandoned her and Susanne years before, leaving them with nothing but a lot of hard days ahead of them. Until they’d come to the ranch and found two men who understood what they’d been through. They all healed each other by taking care of each other.
His father found love, and Cody found the best friend he’d ever have.
“The people here…they can make or break a career. Stay focused on what and who is important right now.”
Cody didn’t like what Kristi implied, but he didn’t get a chance to say anything as Kirk arrived at Kristi’s side and held out his hand to Cody.
“It’s good to see you again.”
Cody took his hand, shifting gears back to being in control, and gave Kristi’s father a firm handshake. “Thank you for coming. I hope you’re enjoying the party.”
Kirk scanned the crowd. “Harland would be proud you’re carrying on tradition.”
“The credit goes to Brooke. She organized everything.”
Kristi pressed her lips tight and eyed him.
Kirk acknowledged his statement with a nod. “Kristi told me Brooke is home for the summer.”
“She’ll head back to school in mid-August to finish her senior year.” One more year of college, then she’d move back home for good. She’d be where she belonged.
With me.
That’s not what he meant.
You sure?
He was losing his mind.
She’d be home. Things would go back to the way they used to be.
Is that what you really want?
“Then what?” Kristi asked, probably because she thought he and Brooke were too close to each other.
“She’s studying business. She wants to help run the ranch and take some of the weight off my shoulders. She’s smart. Driven. Knows what she wants and goes after it.”
“That’s for sure,” Kristi said under her breath.
