He gave me a soft smile. “You didn’t know, Mallory. I try to talk about them often, keep their memory alive and all of that.”
“Are you an only child?”
“No,” he said, his smile fading a bit. I could see a bit of tension when a muscle in his jaw twitched. “I have a younger brother. His name is Chad. We don’t really talk anymore.”
I used my fork to stab some of the noodles, cheese, and pepperoni and asked, “Do you mind if I ask why?”
“Don’t mind at all,” he replied, wiping his mouth with his napkin. “Chad and I are only two years apart, but growing up, we were nothing alike. I loved the ranch, and he loved his computer. I loved horses; he loved helping my father tear things apart and put them back together. I loved sports; he enjoyed things like plays, museums, and the opera. We were totally different in every way possible.”
He smiled as he shook his head. “We fought like cats and dogs, and it would drive my mother insane. But, he’s my brother and I love him, always will.”
“So why don’t the two of you speak now?”
He sighed. “When my parents died, my father left me the entire ranch. Chad never showed an interest in the ranch, like I said. Ranching just isn’t his thing. Despite that, he was upset that our father left me the entire ranch. Which I understand, considering it’s sixteen-thousand acres.”
My brows arched. “Wow.”
“They left him a nice house with a few acres of land in Lewistown. It used to belong to my father’s mother, who passed away from cancer about ten years ago. It’s an older historical home right outside of town. He’s settled into his life there, and he seems happy. He just got married pretty recently. Or actually…two years ago, now? Wow, time flies.”
“Did you go to the wedding?”
Grinning, he replied, “I did. His new wife, Krista, invited me. It was a beautiful wedding. I think she was trying to extend an olive branch.”
“Did it work?”
He shook his head. “Chad was pissed when he saw me there. We exchanged a few words but nothing more. I do agree with him, it wasn’t a fair deal that was left to each of us. I got thousands of acres, and he got an old house on some land. I would have been pissed too.”
I frowned. “I would think if I had siblings, I’d want to be close to them.”
“Does it feel like you might? Have siblings, I mean.”
Looking up as I thought about it, I laughed. “I have no idea if I do or not! If I do, they’d better be out there looking for me, though.”
Liam winked. “I can’t imagine anyone who knows youisn’tgoing crazy right now, looking for you.”
I glanced down at the soup. “I hope so.”
We ate in silence for a few minutes, and it was comfortable. I liked that Liam didn’t have to have every second filled with conversation.
“Do you think you and your brother will ever be close again?”
Tilting his head, he frowned. “We never were very close, but if he needed me, I’d be there for him.”
“I’m sorry, Liam.”
Shrugging, he replied, “Don’t be.”
A feeling of sadness washed over me as I wondered if I had a brother or sister out there who was worried about me. Parents, at least. Looking back up at him, I asked, “Are you going to tell him about me?”
“No. I don’t plan on anyone knowing about you except for Bubba and Randy.”
I nodded. My gut told me to reveal myself to as few people as possible. Of course, my gut also told me not to go to the police—and Randy was a police officer. But if Liam trusted him, then I would as well.
“I’m sure you think it’s a mistake, me not going to the police.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re going through emotionally right now, Mallory. And while I want this guy to be caught, my instincts are telling me we’re doing the right thing.”
I reached for his hand and squeezed it. “Thank you.” Drawing in a deep breath, I exhaled. “It’s so beautiful here. The air is so clean and crisp.”
