Botie…

It has been weeks since I’ve seen Lyric. I have stopped by her house many times and she’s never there, but the work is getting done around the farm. I noticed the hayfields are looking good and the barn has the repairs done already. The greenhouse is coming along too. I may have turned into a stalker by going on her property to see if she was hiding from me, but Trask told me to get a grip. I have called and all I get is voicemail. I didn’t know someone could hide in Comfort and no one will help me. Nick won’t talk to me and Haddie just says to fix my mistakes. Trask says give it time. My parents are at their wits end with me and it’s the day before our family barbeque. Hawkins and Talia are due to arrive today, and I don’t know if I’m ready for that, but it pales in comparison to not being able to see Lyric. My sunshine has been taken away and I realize how important she is to me. I know I love her. The woman is under my skin and embedded in my heart. We need to work on a few things, but I am ready to put a ring on her finger, so I can show her how much I love her. My dad laughs at me every chance he gets. I told my parents everything that happened once I had it straight in my head. Both were disappointed in me, but I am more disappointed in myself. I know now that talking about Talia and Hawkins that night was a bad idea. I know Lyric asked, but I needed to put the whole thing behind me before I talked it out with her. I always get defensive about the subject because deep down I think it was all my fault that it happened, and I think people will see me as weak. I don’t like seeing pity in people’s eyes. I need to get on my knees and apologize. It doesn’t matter if Lyric and I go any further or not—I owe this woman a huge apology. I cringe when I think of the things I said. I am busy making myself a glass of tea, so I can have it with a sandwich for lunch. I’m not hungry but I know my body needs the food. I hear my dad and mom come into the kitchen.

“It’s about time you eat. I am too old for you to be making me worry.” My mom will always worry no matter what. “I know you told me to not go over to Lyric’s house and talk to her, but I am the mom and I can do what I want.” I want to chastise the woman, but I am more curious if Lyric was home. Mom is waiting for me to respond but I move my tea and sandwich to the table and sit down. Mom and Dad follow me and do the same. I don’t say anything, so Mom goes on. “Lyric is a very nice young woman. She admitted the first week she avoided you but after that she has been busy in Dallas and with her other homes going through all the contents. She is in the process of selling most of them and she went to court to take care of her inheritance and that is settled. She hired people to redo the barn and do her hayfields, but her greenhouse is all her and she showed it to me. Now I am thinking of doing a bigger greenhouse. The things she knows about herbs, roots, and plants is amazing. She’s a very lovely woman and smart but down to earth. I think she is a great asset to the community and I think that the two of you have a lot in common. If the two of you could just talk then you could work things out, but the word young is the most important. I don’t think you are too old for her, but you need to be patient. I did some meddling like any good mom would do. She’s going to be here tomorrow; she gave me her word and I think she will stand by it.” I drop my sandwich on the paper towel and quickly chew the bite I have in my mouth and swallow it. I walk straight to my mom and give her the biggest hug.

“Thank you, Mom. I thought all this time Lyric was avoiding me and I deserve it, but it was beginning to get to me. I just need to make things right.” I need to get Lyric back.

“That’s how we raised you. Now keep yourself busy today and come up with a plan and then speak to her from your heart. You’re a good man and she will be lucky to have you, but don’t make your dad take you to the woodshed.” Mom is the best, but she means every word and I know she is serious.

“I am going to ride out with you to check on the herd. We need to have a conversation man-to-man.” I know now I am going to get my dad’s two cents, but I need it. I’m not like Trask that does the opposite of what his old man tells him just because. I respect Dad and get my best advice from him—man-to-man—where we are equal and can speak our minds. I finish the sandwich and clean up any mess I might have make and carry my glass to the sink to wash it out.

“Both of you give me a kiss and then leave me to my work. I need to recheck everything to make sure the deliveries are going to happen on time tomorrow.” I walk over and kiss my mom’s cheek and then I turn away. Dad is not shy of the love he and Mom share and I want that with Lyric. I want to not give a damn who sees me kiss Lyric breathless. I walk out of the house and start my truck and it isn’t long before my dad is getting in on the other side.

“Let’s drive out to the pond and I’ll talk while you drive. I needed you by yourself when we had this talk.” I glance at Dad and I know he isn’t only talking about our talk about Lyric. Something is weighing on Dad.

“Alright Dad, anything you need.” I leave it to Dad to go at his own pace.

“First thing, I want you to make this thing right with that woman. I haven’t met her, but I trust your mom’s opinion. The first time I saw a real smile on your face was when you told us about her and I want that smile back. I’m not saying propose to the woman, all I am saying is make it right, so you can live with it. Everyone makes mistakes, but you made a hell of a one. After you get her talking then work on the rest. When I first met your mom—she knocked me on my ass—and my world was set on its axis and it twirled. Take that ride son and hold on tight. It’s worth it.” I love it when Mom or Dad talks about their history. I feel the love every time.

“I will Dad. It’s not like I have a choice now. I am all in,” I tell Dad honestly. Dad looks happy.

“Well that one was easy.” Dad laughs. “The next one is about Hawkins and Talia.” I glance his way, but we are at the pond and I park and shut my eyes. I know this is bad but how bad could it be? I can honestly say I don’t care.

“It’s alright, Dad. I need to let it go. I know this first visit may be awkward, but we will make it work. I must let go of the past to move on to my future and I am ready to move on. I don’t love Talia anymore and Lyric showed me that. It’s not because of Lyric but she showed me I don’t have those feelings towards Talia anymore, but more importantly, she showed me family is more important than anything and it can be gone in a flash of an eye. Lyric made me feel things that I have never experienced before and she showed me the type of person I want to be.” I hesitate and then go on. “I know that you and Mom always taught us family first, but when I see the way that Lyric loved and misses her dad it drives the message home. Lyric is still honoring her dad and I respect that. I know I don’t want any regrets if anything ever happened to any of you or me.”

“I can see I am going to like Lyric more than I thought and that is a good lesson to learn, but this is something else. Something I need your opinion on. I was never crazy over Talia. I thought she tried to lead you around by your balls. I know you put your damn foot down, but she kept at you. I hated it. If you need to fuss and fight every day to stay with a woman, then she isn’t worth it.” Dad stops and looks at me. “I know two people living in a house together are not going to have the same thoughts on everything. I also know there are going to be arguments—that’s where the make-up sex comes in—but living with a woman or a man and having to fight every day is just down right wrong for both people.” I have heard him say this more than once. “The only way to say this is to say it. Hawkins called us last night and he was fired from his job and they are being evicted from their apartment; they want to move back to the ranch. I don’t like it. I think it’s a bad idea all away around. This is your home and you are taking care of our ranch for the family. You have been since I had my heart attack. I won’t ask you to live with them. Mom thought about buying one of those manufactured homes and putting it a little bit away from the house. I think it will look tacky and again, I don’t think you should need to help buy them a home. I won’t come to a decision without your input. We made an agreement when you took on my share of the workload along with yours and this is one of the times, we need to discuss it, and that’s where we are now. I know it’s a rushed decision but that’s what Hawkins put in our lap last night. I don’t trust that conniving woman any further than I can see her. I know she is going to stir up shit in our family, again.” I think for a minute.

“What are the two going to do for a job? Is Hawkins going to work on the ranch and what is it that Talia does? The last time I knew, Talia had no kind of work skills that she could use in Comfort.” I think over my questions and they all seem logical. I don’t want the past to be a factor in my decision. “Hawkins is my brother and any Hillhouse is always welcome home. Those are the words you always told us. Talia is a different scenario.”

“I agree, but Hawkins has not mentioned any work. I know before he left home, he did no ranch work and I won’t tolerate that anymore. He should have stepped up and helped you. At first, he was in an apartment, but the closer him and Talia became, he was here all the time. I would have noticed that fact if I hadn’t been sick. If we do this, then he is going to work here even if he gets an outside job. He lives here then he works here, even if it’s only a few hours a day and you are still in charge of the ranch. We signed the papers and you are a full partner and that isn’t changing. You will be his boss,” Dad says with authority.

“I agree. Dad, I don’t want to come between you and Hawkins. We are both your sons and you love us both. I hope to clear the air about all this and things will get easier. I am not going to say no to Hawkins and Talia staying in the house if they stay out of the office and my room. They have no business in either unless you or I are there.” I don’t think that is unfair. Just because I want to clear this up doesn’t mean I trust either of them.

“I just want to be fair. I know the two of you are grown but I will never forgive what Hawkins did. I know I should, but I can’t. I love him but until he apologizes to you, he is in the wrong, and I think this is just another way for Talia to get at you again. I don’t think Hawkins even sees it, but I will have my eyes on them both and heaven help me for saying any of that out loud.” I know Dad is having a tough time with this.

“It’s alright Dad to say it out loud. You are my Dad, one of my best friends, and my business partner—if we can’t share everything that is bothering us then there’s a problem. Tell me the rest of it.” Dad smiles at me.

“You are getting too good at this for your own good but it’s good practice for when you have children.” I laugh at that.

“Maybe one day, but you always save the worst for last.” He always has.

“Hawkins wants your nana’s ring, so he can give it to Talia. I am not asking your opinion on this subject. I am telling you, so you will be aware that Hawkins may ask Talia to marry him, right in front of you. Your mom and I won’t be giving him the ring, so you may hear us arguing about it. It has nothing to do with you except my mother said that ring is to be handed down to the oldest son to give to his bride. You are the oldest son and are not only entitled to it, but it is rightfully yours. When you find that woman that is right for you, Mom will gladly hand it over the day of the wedding as your nana stipulated, and then it goes to your oldest son. The reason it was not given to you when you asked Talia to marry you was because your nana said that a man was not worthy of a woman if he could not provide her with a ring he purchased when he asked her for her hand in marriage, plus the ring was not to be given by you until the wedding day. That is how the family tradition started. Nana was very traditional.” I remember Nana some but not clearly. Then a question enters my head.

“What if there are no sons? What if they are all daughters?” My dad laughs.

“Son, in our family, the boys far outnumber the girls, but if that occurrence did happen it would be the first grandson. Are you going to able to handle it if Hawkins makes the Fourth all about him and Talia?” I give it some thought. I didn’t feel that stab-in-the-heart feeling when Dad mentioned Talia and Hawkins. I am over it.

“It’ll be fine, but it doesn’t mean that if he keeps interrupting everything else that I won’t throw him in the pool.” Then a thought comes to me. “You know after the festivities are over and everything is back to normal, instead of buying one of those homes, we could make the pool house a temporary home for them. It has a kitchenette, a big bathroom and bedroom. Their living area may be a bit small, but they could have their privacy. Mom just replaced the washer and dryer out there too.”

“That is a great idea and I’ll discuss it with your mom. That may be the answer to the problem.” Dad likes it. “Anything else you need to talk about because my talk box is tired and my brain hurts. Your brother is more than likely at the house by now. Let’s go face the storm.” I laugh. My dad is so full of it. I think Mom and Dad need a little time to talk to Hawkins and Talia alone first.

“I am going to drop you off and then ride out to check the herd like we were supposed to do. It will give you, Mom, Hawkins, and Talia time to say your hellos and say whatever you need to, without you thinking about me and my feelings. I will be back as soon as I check the cattle.” I know it’s because I just need a minute, but I know Dad does too.

“Sounds like a plan but don’t be too long.” I start the truck that we never made it out of and head back to the house. It doesn’t take long, and Dad is out of the truck and I am headed to the back of our property where the cattle are grazing. Just one more day and I get to see Lyric.