Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“Here,” Jesse admits.
“Why?” Beth glances around. “Wouldn’t it be better for them to move out and be alone? What kind of couple wants to live in a house with two single men?”
Taylor’s eyes are riveted to her food, and I get why. Beth has a bite like Mindy. That same self-confidence and belief that they’re in the right. It’s intimidating at the best of times.
“She’s helping us around the house,” Jesse says, and Beth rolls her eyes.
“Helping you? With what? Conjugal duties.”
“Beth!” Barb gasps, shocked.
“Stop,” Duncan warns again. He focuses on Taylor as though he’s worried she’s going to cry.
I’m aware of the exact moment when Jesse gives up the charade. His left shoulder jerks like a shrug, and he places his plate on the table next to Taylor. “Taylor’s living with all of us because she’s with all of us.”
Mitch’s spine straightens. Barb presses her napkin to her lips slowly, like she’s stopping herself from speaking. The kids’ eyes are wide, not because they understand what’s going on, but because the tension in the room is overwhelming.
“We should have this conversation another time,” I say, hating to witness the same innocent fear in Katherine and Holt as I felt myself all those years ago. “It’s Jesse’s birthday. It’s a time for celebration, and the kids—”
I add the last part, hoping that Beth will see sense, but it’s like a red rag to a bull.
“Where did you find her?”
Jesse shakes his head. “I’m not doing this with you now, Beth.”
“This ranch is mine, too, Jesse. I might not live here or help you run it, but I’m damned well not going to sit back while you risk it because of some infatuation with a girl young enough to be your daughter.”
The silence that lingers after that statement is like a fog of toxic gas, drifting over the celebration and settling in between every person seated at the table.
“The ranch isn’t in danger,” Taylor says softly. “I’m not interested in the ranch, and anyway, I’m married to Clint, not Jesse.”
“So that part is true?”
Taylor nods, and Jesse drapes his arm around her shoulder protectively. “Taylor’s a good woman, and this grilling you’re giving us isn’t fair, Beth.”
“I don’t like being lied to, Jesse. When people lie, it’s usually because they’re doing something shady, and I’m not having you risk what our family has grafted for generations to build. Your last marriage nearly cost us everything.”
Jesus. She really went there.
“I think we all need to calm down,” Mitch says. “We should eat this food that Taylor’s prepared and then take this conversation somewhere private.”
As the oldest person here, coupled with the gravitas of his job, Mitch commands a lot of respect.
Beth settles down into her chair and cuts her meat, forking a piece into her mouth and chewing. We all follow suit, the air charged and strained as no one can think of anything to say that won’t inflame the situation. Taylor pushes her food around her plate, and Clint’s cheeks are red. Jesse can barely chew, his jaw is so tight. It’s the most uncomfortable meal of all time, and that’s saying something.
With the food sitting in my stomach like a block of granite, I check everyone has finished before rising and gathering plates. Whatever needs to be discussed, I’m staying out of it. Confrontation is something I avoid, and Jesse is acutely aware of it. He dug this crater. He can deal with climbing out of it alone.
“You guys can go to the back room,” I say. “I’ll stay here with the kids and help Taylor.”
With stiff posture and uneasy expressions, Jesse, Beth, Duncan, Mitch, and Barb leave the kitchen. Clint hangs back, too, but I urge him to follow.
I give Katherine and Holt a big slice of chocolate cake each to keep them distracted and pull Taylor into a warm embrace. “Don’t worry about what’s happening over there,” I say. “It’s Jesse’s problem to deal with.”
“I don’t want to cause any upset,” she says, snuggling into me.
“I know.” Stroking her hair, I wait until she’s relaxed. “This was always going to be an issue that had to be dealt with. Better it’s done early.”
“Not at a birthday party, though.”
“Better now than later,” I say. “Trust me.”
14
JESSE
AN OUTSIDE THREAT
“How many?” I bark into the phone.
“Three,” Clint says, exhaling in frustration.
“Mauled?”
“They tore out their throats.”
I wince at the image. “We need to get them out of the field.”
“Already on it. I’ve moved the rest of the herd away. They were standing around gawping at the corpses.”
Jesus. That’s a horrible image. “Will you and Maverick be able to handle this? I’m waiting for Mitch.”
“If we have to.” I grimace as I hang up the call. Things have been strained since my birthday dinner, which turned into a disaster. Beth kicked up a load of dirt and left everyone choking. Mitch and Barb are frankly disgusted. Beth thinks I’m gambling away our inheritance. Duncan is unhappy that his wife is unhappy. Clint and Maverick don’t appreciate the drama or stress, and Taylor is mortified. Hardly the recipe for happy families.