Over the next week, Dallas and I don’t speak about what happened between us the night of the wedding. She’s still staying in the main house since Sterling is in the bunkhouse with Eden, but she’s definitely avoiding me. She started sleeping in one of the guest rooms upstairs.
She leaves and comes back with the boys on Tuesday morning, but since she’s working every night, she puts them to bed at Rosie’s house and starts sleeping over there.
I’m busy caring for Pops full-time and working on the ranch until the following Friday, when Holden comes over to help feed him dinner after the nurse leaves.
I’m taking a much-needed walk outside with a lowball glass of whiskey in my hand. I exhale, hating that I’m just ready for it to be over. The hospice team has started administering morphine, and his room is basically a hospital setup with an IV drip. As of today, he has a catheter tube sticking out of him.
Watching my father die has been a shitty, depressing experience. When it’s my turn to go, I want it to be quick. I never thought I’d be grateful my mother’s sudden death happened the way it did, but I’m glad she didn’t have to suffer for so long, like he is.
Tires on the gravel driveway draw my attention, and I turn to see a red truck pulling up. My instinct is to stiffen, but I force myself to relax against the fence as Matt drives by me, going fast, up to the bunkhouse front porch.
He steps out of the truck, wearing a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses, slacks, and a white button-down dress shirt. He has a bouquet of flowers in his hand.
I watch as he approaches the door and knocks on it. She must have agreed to meet him over there because Dallas answers, her face dropping when she sees the flowers in his hand. I take a slow sip of my whiskey, too far away to hear every word being exchanged.
I catchdateandpretty, gathering that Matt is trying to ask her out. Her face gives away her feelings. She shakes her head, taking a step back and crossing her arms.
Matt raises the flowers and slams them against the porch before throwing his hands up. I take a step toward them, increasing my pace when I see her flinch back.
“Ungrateful bitch! You’re stuck-up, and that’s always been your problem. You think you’re better than everyone. Need I remind you, you work at a bar?”
I make it to the porch, downing the rest of my drink before setting the glass on the railing. I step up behind him, squaring my shoulders back.
“Is there a problem here?”
Oyster runs up behind me, barking like he knows something isn’t right.
Dallas’s cheeks flush, but she shakes her head. Her eyes are fearful.
Matt turns to face me, gritting his teeth. “I’m having a conversation with my sons’ mother. It’s none of your business.”
I shrug, popping my knuckles as I lean back against theporch railing. “You’re just here to pick up the boys though, right?”
His eye twitches. I tilt my head, letting the silence stretch between us. The flowers are strewn out on the porch between us.
“Duke, it’s really okay. The boys are ready to go. Dawson, Dutton, it’s time to leave. Your dad is here.”
She brings the boys out onto the porch, and Matt doesn’t break eye contact with me until they’re outside. He bends down to pick up Dutton.
“Hey, buddy. You ready to go? You guys are gonna have a great time with Dad today.” He grabs Dawson’s hand, who’s still trying to hold on to Dallas.
Dutton starts crying. “Mommy! I want to stay with Mommy!”
Matt walks toward the truck, ignoring the pleas. Dawson’s little jaw is set as he turns back to wave bye to his mom. Dallas’s eyes are red as she waves goodbye. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, seeing Holden’s name light up the screen. My stomach sinks right as Matt’s truck pulls away.
I don’t even need to answer, but I do anyway, my eyes meeting Dallas’s misty ones.
“Hello?”
“Hey … you’d better get back over here.” My older brother’s voice is tight.
I swallow, blinking back the emotion building. My chest suddenly feels hollow.
“I’m coming.”
Dallas reaches forward, grasping my hand.
The funeral is two days later. We had everything picked out in advance. I feel like I’m in a daze as we carry the casket toward the gravesite. My three brothers and I are each carrying one corner of it. Sam is walking close behind to make sure we don’t need more help, but the four of us are able to carry it alone.
