But fuck him. Fuck him for thinking he deserved better than us.
I want nothing to do with the man who, as far as I’m concerned, was simply just a donor in my birthright. My Mother loved him with her entire being, and I was the one who held her together when she fell apart night after night.
The same way she did for me, as I cried for my daddy to return home for years. Years until I could finally comprehend that he might not be coming back to me.
And now, it’s just us and the life we’ve built together.
The life she has made possible for me. I will only ever give credit where credit is due, and that’s to my mother.
The woman who set an example of what it means to be loyal and dedicated. My career has just taken off, and she’s been my devoted cheerleader.
I’m better off without him. Better off without the money he offered to leave to me when I became an adult. I still remember laughing out loud at eighteen when my mom showed me the letter he left behind for me.
I was only nine when he vanished, too young to understand. I get why she kept it hidden for so long. It would have done me more harm than good to know about it.
And somehow, despite knowing he attempted to pay me forhisleaving, I still hoped his motives were pure.
But now, as I watch him bring his wife’s forehead to his lips, there’s no doubt in my mind it was all out of selfish intent.
That’s the farthest thing from love. And the last thing I could ever want.
I won’t subject myself to this kind of hurt ever again.
Not if this is what greed and power can do to someone.
I’d rather be poor and cherished by someone who has loved me well.
It’s better I saw this now. I don’t want to be left wondering my whole life. Now, I can move on and forget he ever existed.
Because Nathaniel McIntosh is dead to me.
CHAPTER ONE
stetson
Present Day
“Seewhat happens when you let the small man speak?”
I glance to my left. “I’m not sure I’m following.”
“You get results, my brother. Big wins that make money. And money is wealth. There ain’t nothin’ like it.”
I know he means well, but these are the moments I wish Clay would read the room and grant me some space. Peace. Silence. Any will do at this point. I just want to relax in the comfort of my jet and make this layover by nightfall. Being home as soon as possible is my only priority.
I’ve got no energy left in me but to nod, reassuring him I’m just as pleased with the results of today. Leaning back on the headrest, I close my eyes and listen to Clay give me the status report of our current tenants. I hired Clay nearly five years ago as just a simple helper.
Hell, I needed it. Still do. But he’s taken on a much bigger role at Coleson Ranch than I bargained for, evenwith his dirty blond hair neatly styled in a way that irks me. But frankly, I couldn’t do it without his lanky ass.
Despite how much his need to ramble and fill the silence pisses me off, the guy knows business, and I needed someone to be the other half of my brain. That’s why we’re thirty-thousand feet in the air right now after a long day of wheeling and dealing with a cattle farmer on the West Coast.
I’ve been fighting tooth and nail to get Waylon McGuire to bite at the chance to lease my remaining acreage. Everything else is being utilized, and my hope is to make a profit with the property I have left to delegate.
I need to rebuild infrastructure, among other things. And that’s where the funding for this comes along. Every dollar of business revenue goes toward something, but leasing these acres can help me more than others ever have. This deal means less land for me to tend, but builds up my wallet enough to maintain the heart of the ranch.
Watch it flourish with my own two eyes. That’s what’s most important to me.
That’s also as long as Waylon holds his end of the contract. And trust me, it’s in his best interest, or I’ll waste no time suing him.
