My sisters gather around me in a group hug.
“I can’t let myself fall for Kannen,” I sob, upset that my heart is considering that option. I thought I ended that possibility.
Rainee pats my back. “Oh honey, I think it’s too late for that.”
Chapter 7
Kannen
There’s a sweet spot on the ranch every morning that I love to see. It’s when the sun hits the trees right as it’s rising toward the sky. Usually, I sit out on the porch with a cup of coffee and give myself that few minutes of appreciating sweet Texas life.
During that time, I think about all that I’m grateful for. I think about how happy I am in Lucky River. How glad I am that I have this ranch. I think about what I can do for Stormy. And how to be the best person I can for her.
But I couldn’t take the time for the coffee and sitting on the porch this morning. I had an ass to kick. As soon as Jude arrived at my place, I’d told him what an asshole Stormy’s ex was and the two of us paid him a visit. It went well for us, badly for him.
“Still thinking about that?” Jude asks as he adjusts his Stetson. His horse nickers softly.
We rode out to check the ranch’s land instead of working on the barn since the order for the roofing didn’t come in.
“Yeah, I am.” My horse turns his ears backward like he’s listening in and I pat the side of his neck. “I didn’t know her ex was like that.”
“If you had, would you would have taken Stormy away from him?” Jackson asks.
“If she would have had me. But I would have beaten his ass either way.” I grip the reins tightly for a second before relaxing. I wanted to show her ex the business end of my fists today, but I’d promised Stormy I wouldn’t punch him and I’ll never break a promise to her.
But I never promised I wouldn’t give him the fear of getting a whooping.
“He needs his ass beat.” Jackson’s face darkens. His father was an abusive prick and the quickest way to get on Jackson’s shit list is to hurt a woman. “He showed up at the station claiming the two of you threatened him. I told him I knew both of you and it wasn’t a threat, but a promise.”
“You should have shown her ex the mugshot and told him Kannen wasn’t afraid to do hard time again.” Jude grins at me.
“Man, I’m sorry about that.” Jackson laughs. “I forgot to delete it, so it was accidentally uploaded with the rest of them.”
“I didn’t know what the hell was going on. My phone went crazy with notifications until I finally silenced it. But I know you didn’t mean for that to happen.” I glance at my watch.
“You hear anything yet?” Jude asks.
I’d told him earlier about waiting on the private investigator to get back to me. “He said he’d have something today. I’ll head back and check my email.”
On this part of the ranch, we can’t get good phone reception. That’s the only downside to where I live. If Stormy needs me, she can’t reach me. I need to figure out a way to fix that.
We turn the horses around and head to the ranch. As I dismount, Jackson says, “Want to go into town and grab a beer later?”
“Can’t. I’m helping Stormy with preparations for the rodeo.”
“Still chasing her?” Jude asks. “It’s been years.”
“I got time,” I say as they follow me into the house.
They’re hovering when they normally don’t. I know they’re concerned with what I might find out about my biological family, but I’m already braced for whatever it is.
Inside the room that will eventually become an office, I open my laptop and pull up my email.
“What’s it say? Which one of us it?” Jude asks.
“Give me a second.” I open the message and skim the contents.
“Which one?” Jude asks again.
