Rhett nods.“My team will likely finish up soon, and I’ll head on over and question the Thornton’s again, but, West, it’s gonna be real hard to find evidence of whoever did this.If it’s a rival rancher, they’re likely going to have urea for their own cattle.We’re looking at the perfect fucking crime.I suggest you buy shares in trail cams, ’cause you’re gonna need every acre recorded to catch someone in the act.”Rhett opens the door of his cruiser and climbs in.A beat later, he’s leaning out the window.“West, you burn this field too.”
“Already on it,” I say and glance at Wade, who’s since come back from the barn with an ATV and lots of gasoline.He’s tormenting one of the lab geeks by standing over her shoulder while she works.I roll my eyes.
“You boys take care now.I’m just a call away if you find your culprit before I do.”
I nod.“I won’t be calling if I find them before you, but I appreciate the gesture.”
His vehicle navigates the rocky ground with ease as he makes a U turn and heads out the way he came.And as I watch the lab geeks pack up their samples and scurry back to the truck, while my brothers get to work on burning the herd, I meant what I said to Rhett.If I find the culprit before he does, that poor bastard will rue the day they ever set foot on Winchester land.
Chapter Eighteen
Daisy-Mae
The nurse pumps thebreaks on my wheelchair and sets the weighted balloon bouquet along with the gifts the Winchesters brought me by my feet.“Are you sure you’re gonna be alright out here on your own?”
“Yeah.West should be by any minute now to pick us up.Thanks for everything, Donna.”
“No problem.You just holler if you two wanna come inside, okay?”
“Will do.”
I cradle Waylon in my arms and stare down at his little face.He didn’t get a lick of my ex-husband’s looks.Thank the lord, because if I had to see that cheating asshole’s face every time I looked at my baby, I think I’d sink even deeper into depression.His blond hair and fine features are all mine.Heis all mine.Oh god.I’m a single mother with a baby.How am I gonna do this on my own?
Deep breaths, Daisy.Just like West would tell you.Except, West isn’t here.West apparently forgets that his friend is stuck at the hospital with no ride home.Maybe I’m too much.Maybe he’s had enough of playing husband without any of the actual benefits.I’ve asked so much of him these last few months, and I haven’t taken any of that for granted, but even so.West didn’t sign up for any of this.This is not his baby cradled in my arms.
He’ll be here.He won’t forget, I tell myself, but after the way he freaked out in the birthing suite, and the lack of texts and calls, or presence at the hospital in the two days since I was admitted, maybe he decided he’s done with me and it’s best to keep his distance.
Two hours later, Waylon is fussing because of the late autumn chill, and I’m exhausted from cradling him.I’m just thinking about calling Donna to help me back inside, when Lemon exits the hospital doors.“Daisy-Mae?Oh my gosh, I thought that was you.”
“Hey, Lemon.What are you doing here?”
“Prenatal scan,” she says, rubbing her distended belly.“Are you waiting on West?”
I nod, because I can’t answer with the lump forming in my throat.Tears prick my eyes and I blink them back furiously.
“That asshole.How late is he?”
