Jake

Again, I’d messed up. Why had I thanked her? For not quitting? Possibly.

“Thanks for understanding,” I said, quickly realizing I’d stuck my foot in my mouth yet again as she turned and scrambled into her room.

Personally, I hated that room. I’d knocked on her door the other night and she’d ignored me. So I didn’t knock today. For what? To explain? That I wasn’t good with words was evident. The beguiling woman had me tongue-tied whenever I was in her presence.

I walked back into the great room. Dad gave me an arched brow, which I ignored.

“Finish eating and let’s saddle up.”

“Where are we going?” Dad asked.

“For a ride. I want to check on the cattle.”

I had a bad feeling that wouldn’t settle. And maybe I just needed to get away from Honey and clear my head. I’d never acted this way in front of a woman, not even Tara. I may not have had pretty words, but I wasn’t ever at a total loss for them. I chose what I said carefully. With Honey, I couldn’t seem to string the right words together that didn’t make me come off as an ass.

After gorging myself on Honey’s delicious breakfast, I saddled Jamie with me. She could ride on her own, but we were going out on a long one. I’d have to watch Dad and couldn’t split my attention watching out for her too. I didn’t want to have to make the choice between the two of them if something went wrong.

Dad actually looked like his old self on his mount.

“Ready, boy,” he commanded, Stetson firmly on his head.

I nodded and let him lead us.

“You said they’re in the north field.”

“Yes, sir,” I agreed.

The sky was clear as we took off and cantered to our destination. Eventually, we stopped at a high point on a low hill overlooking the cattle grazing in the pasture.

My phone buzzed and I pulled it from where I had it holstered on my hip. I checked the screen and saw it was Jacque. I sent her to voicemail.

“Who was that?” Dad asked.

With Jamie sitting in front of me, I kept what I really wanted to say to myself.

“Jacque.”

“Have you decided what you want to do?” He’d been asking me that a lot lately.

“Not really. What do you think we should do?”

Dad shook his head. “This is your decision. The ranch is yours now and you need to be able to live with whatever you decide.”

He sounded like he knew he’d be leaving me soon, and I didn’t like the idea.

“You don’t have any advice for me?” I swiped sweat from my brow; the temperature was scorching. I pulled out my canteen and handed it to Jamie.

“What are your options?” he asked.

I didn’t bring up that we’d talked about my options the other day. It was a small thing—I was grateful he was here, in the present.

“Jacque’s not going to sell,” I covered Jamie’s ears, “unless I bed her.”

Dad chuckled. “She’s easy on the eyes.”

“And hard on the ears,” I added.

The woman could talk a man into an early grave.

I uncovered Jamie’s ears knowing Dad wouldn’t say anything inappropriate.

“Have you thought about Ned’s farm?” Ned’s land butted against ours on one side. It wasn’t ideal because it wouldn’t be easy to herd the cattle through the bottleneck pass between two hills to get there.

“It’s not the easy ride, like to Jacque’s place to the south, but I’ve reached out to talk to him.” We were getting so much business, we couldn’t fill orders for beef. If we wanted to reach demand for our cattle, we’d need more land for them to graze on. “Otherwise we’ll have to sell and scale back. I’d hate to do that with so many people counting on us for a paycheck.”

“I remember …” Dad’s eyes went far away. “Martha …” He finally focused on me. “Where’s Martha?”

Damn, I’d lost him. Luckily, I was getting used to his slips and was quick with an answer.

“She’s probably back at the house.”

It was better if I got him home while he was still compliant. If he took off, I’d have to ride Whiskey hard to catch him.

Dad nodded, turned his horse, and did what I’d dreaded. He took off without looking back.

“Hold on, Jamie,” I said, kissing the top of her head before I put my horse into a gallop.

We made it back at a breakneck pace. Dad was already off the horse and heading inside the house before I came to a stop. I helped Jamie off as Dad called for my mother. His voice grew fainter as he searched deeper in the house.

“Walk the horses,” I told Jamie.

Last thing I wanted was for her to witness what came next. I whistled for one of the hands who walked by. He spied the distress on my face and came over to help Jamie. I went in and hoped I could calm Dad down.

Dad was headed for the door when I walked in. Angry eyes met mine.

“What have you done with her?” He grabbed my shirt with strength he hadn’t shown in years. “Tell me, Jim.”

That surprised me. Jim was his younger brother. He’d died years ago in a bar fight. From the stories I’d heard, my uncle hadn’t thought Mom was pretty enough for Dad.

“Nothing,” I said, trying to break his hold.

“Bullshit. I know you’re sweet on her. Your ugly comments have always been a ruse for how you really feel. She told me how you hit on her.”

My eyes widened.

“Dad,” I spat out, because I would have to hurt him to get free.

That one word shook him. He released his grip and stared at me for a long moment before putting his finger in my face.

“If I ever hear of you laying hands on her again, I will kill you myself.”

Dad stalked off and slammed his bedroom door. I blinked, wondering what part of history I’d missed. What had my uncle done?

As much as I wanted to go help with the horses, I couldn’t leave Dad alone. No telling what he’d do or where he’d go. I started to think maybe I’d have to hire a weekend nurse for when Honey had her days off. The ranch operated daily. I’d have to go look at the books. Maybe I could spare money for another part-time hand so I could spend the weekends with my family.

More than anything, I wanted to be there for Dad as much as I could before he didn’t remember me at all.