“I’m a big girl, Garrett, I can handle things. Plus, I know deep down in my core he won’t hurt me. Don’t ask me how, just trust me, please.”
“I’m not leaving you here with a man you don’t know. Something’s…off about him. The fact he stalked you here makes me want to pummel his ass,” Garrett growled.
The stranger sneered at him, “Loved to see you try.”
Garrett lunged forward, but Snow held him back.
“Enough.” Snow snapped. “Garrett, go.”
“I’m not leaving you alone while he’s here,” he spat.
“Listen to me,” she ordered, pushing him back. “I’m not your responsibility. It’s time you left. You don’t belong here, Garrett. You’re not like the people here. It’s time you moved on.”
He knew the words were coming, but it didn’t hurt any less.
“Snow,” he argued, not believing what she said.
“I mean it,” she said, shoving him forcefully away. “I don’t want you here. This is between him and me. It’s none of your business.” Her eyes glowed in anger, but he saw the hurt.
If she wanted him gone, he refused to beg or plead.Snow made her decision. She turned out no different than the other women who used him. First, his mom, and then all the other women who learned about his money. When would he learn his lesson?
Garrett laughed as he shook his head at the stranger, promising retribution. “What happened to you not knowing him? It sure changes fast when he shows up in the same spot I found you. I thought I could trust you, Snow. You’re like all the others.” Finally giving up, he walked away and never looked back. His future once again turned black. This time, he didn’t seem to mind it as much.
CHAPTER ONE
Garrett’s gut churned as he turned his back and walked away. His hands balled into fists as he resisted the urge to pummel the man Snow apparently fell for in such a short time. Whatever. He refused to chase after women who didn’t want him.
The thought stung as he climbed into his truck and drove down the driveway. Knowing his assignments included the daily chores, he parked his vehicle and entered the bunkhouse. Frank Houser narrowed his eyes as Garrett changed his clothes, not bothering to give him the time of day. He went about the ranch finishing his assignments, but his heart wasn’t in it. Instead, his thoughts drifted to his mom. The first woman to let him down.
She knelt on one knee before him. “Listen, Garrett. Grandpa wants you to stay with him for a while. When we get settled, I’ll send for you. Be a good boy for Gramps.”
“But I don’t wanna stay with him,” he complained as he glanced at his grandfather’s stern face.
“Don’t be silly,” she chastised. “You haven’t gotten to know him. Listen to me, Garrett. Jim doesn’t want a seven-year-oldruining our good time. I need him to warm up to you, and then you can come live with us,” she cajoled. “It’ll only be for a little while. You’ll see.”
Yeah, he saw her all right. She left him with the old bastard. He beat and pushed Garrett to the edge. If he didn’t do things correctly the first time, his grandpa tore it up and made him begin again. If he burnt dinner, Garrett went without. If he didn’t finish a chore, he found himself with double the next day. Every single day, he watched the driveway for any sign of her, but he returned to his bed, disappointed.
Bernice took eight years to retrieve him from his grandfather’s house of hell.When the car pulled up, Garrett didn’t recognize her as she stepped out of the vehicle. Her gaze drifted to him, making him feel conscious of the ripped T-shirt, the too-short jeans, his dirty hair, and bruised body.
He ran his hand down his shirt as he stared at her.
Bernice held out her arms as she glanced at him with pity. “Don’t you recognize me, sweetheart? It’s me, your mother.”
His brown eyes narrowed at Bernice, showing he never forgot her leaving him at seven years old.
“What do you want?” he demanded.
“I came to get you. Remember, I promised,” she said sweetly.
“You abandoned the boy,” his grandfather said behind him. “It’s up to him if he wants to go with you.”
“Of course he wants to go,” his mother snarled. “I gave him to you to care for. I can nearly count his bones, and he’s filthy.”
“Don’t be acting all indignant. If you cared for him, you would’ve sent money like you promised,” his grandfather reminded her.
Unwilling to listen to them talk about him as a commodity, Garrett dropped the rake in his hand and climbed into her car. He watched as the two adults argued before his grandfather turnedand went into the house, slamming the door. No tearful goodbyes, hugs, or even I’ll miss you came from him. Bernice slid into the driver’s seat, glanced over at him, and sent a hesitant smile.
“Life will be different for you and me from now on,” she told him. “First, we’ll get you some clean clothes, and I’ll introduce you to Boyd. You’ll have to remember to stay quiet when he’s around. He’s not a fan of children, but you’re a teenager now. You know how to behave,” she said matter-of-factly.
