Everything I wanted.
And a guy like Russell Cain never deserved him or Amelia.
Not then and certainly not fucking now.
There wasn’t a single part of me that wanted to be the guy who shielded him from his parents’ argument, and yet that’s what I became.
What I wanted was to send Amelia inside with her son and take all my aggression out on her ex-husband.
Hell, if I get my balls good and twisted, I still might do that.
The motherfucker deserves a beating.Maybe if I’m the one to deliver it, I can finally clear my head of them.This week was hard enough; I didn’t need to be preoccupied with thoughts of Amelia and Dylan, wondering if Russell had caused any more drama for either of them.
My gaze swings across the yard to where Shadow stands with Dylan.I never thought the day would come that I’d see Amelia’s son standing on my ranch, his eyes wide and curious.
When I took him inside the bar, Shadow had returned from the bathroom, and instead of cutting out of there like I should’ve, I stayed behind, keeping one eye on the door as I waited for Amelia to come back.It took longer than I liked, and in that time, Shadow decided to introduce me formally to Dylan as his buddy—the guy who owns the ranch.
Apparently I had come up in one of their previous conversations, and something Shadow said must’ve stuck with Dylan because he suddenly forgot all about the disappointing visit with his father in that moment.He started firing question after question at me, asking about all the animals.He was most excited to hear about the horses and asked if I had an extra horse for him to learn how to ride.
My response came too quick, and before I could think better of it, I told him I had the perfect horse for him to learn how to ride and promised I would speak to his mom about getting him those lessons.
That earned me an amused look from Shadow, and later that night, when I was finally home, I told myself it would never happen.That the kid would forget about my offer.
I don’t know if that’s the case, but seeing him here now, I hope he hasn’t.Hell, I’d take him to the stables right now if I could.Anything for a reprieve from this day and all these goddamn people.
I pull at the bolo tie around my neck, loosening it a bit.I don’t know why I bothered with it in the first place.Granddaddy wasn’t a fan of them either.Even when he wore his Sunday best, he always left the tie on his bed.Back in the day my grandmother would chastise him for it, and he always had the same response.
I ain’t putting no noose around my neck, Della.
I’d give anything to hear him say that one more time.Fuck, I’d cut my heart out if it meant I could hear his voice at all.It’s all I could wish for as I laid him to rest and shoveled that dirt over his casket.
I tear my gaze away from Dylan and scan the wide span of land in front of the house.I didn’t expect this many people to stick around after the burial, and the sight of them is making me anxious.Just the idea of standing beside my sister while we accept their condolences has me sweating, or maybe it’s the fact that our grandfather’s attorney is waiting in my office, ready to read us his will, something I’ve been dreading.
But it can’t be put off any longer.Mr.Cohen asked Della and me to meet with him before he left town.Since he was already attending the funeral, it made sense to have the meeting here, but I didn’t factor in there would be so many people around.
I turn my head, scoping out my sister, and find her at the edge of the yard talking to Amelia.The sight gives me pause and takes me back in time.The two of them used to be thick as thieves.It’s one of the main reasons I fought my attraction toward Amelia for as long as I did.I didn’t want to come between their friendship.
Flicking the rim of my hat, I start for them.Amelia’s eyes are the first to connect with mine as I approach, but my sister’s gaze quickly follows.
I clear my throat.“You ready?”
This is the first time I’ve spoken to her since informing her that we needed to meet with the lawyer.
“I’ll catch you later, Della,” Amelia says.I wait for her to acknowledge me, but she doesn’t.I guess that invitation to teach her son how to ride a horse will have to wait until she’s done being mad at me for sticking my nose in her business.
“Sure, I’ll see you soon,” Della replies, giving her a small smile.I don’t allow myself to read too much into that.Della is the queen of empty promises.She probably has no intention of seeing Amelia after today.
We both watch Amelia walk away, then Della’s gaze swings toward me.“Just give me a minute, and I’ll join you.”
An exasperated sigh leaves my lips.She always has to drag shit.
“Mr.Cohen is on a tight schedule.Make it quick, Della.”
“I won’t be long.I just need another minute.”
Biting the inside of my cheek, my eyes flit over her features.The tip of her nose is red, a telltale sign that she’s been crying, and for the briefest moment, guilt stings me.I don’t think our grandfather would be too proud of the way either of us has treated one another since his death.
“I’ll wait out on the front porch for you.Don’t take all day.”
