Jesse's Brother (8 page)

“The ranch.” He put his hands over his face.

Her mouth dropped open and she jerked her face in his direction. “What? Daddy, what are you talking about?”

“My body is too tired to continue with farming, Sammy. I can’t do it anymore.”

“But, Daddy, you love it. It’s your whole life.” It would kill him to give up such a big part of his life. It was probably the hardest thing he’d ever done. Tears slid down her cheeks as well.

“I do love it, but it’s not my whole life. You are, Sammy.”

“I’m kind of confused. What about Mom?” she asked, afraid to hear the answer.

“We’ve been having problems for quite some time.”

“What are your plans? Do you think you’ll sell the ranch and move to town? Are you going to divorce Mom?”

“Oh no, I would never sell the farm unless I absolutely had to.”

The taboo subject stayed pushed back from the conversation even though she wanted to know. Instead, she asked, “What did you have in mind?”

“My original intentions were to give you and your future husband the ranch. I wanted to clear out the pasture and have a house built for you. You would be able to take over the business and not be around your mother so much. That was the plan for the distant future, but it seems you have no interest in staying here.” He wiped her tears away with his handkerchief and smiled through his own.

How could her parents give up her childhood home? She loved it even though her mother brought her great pain. She couldn’t think about never coming to the farm again. She’d always envisioned her own children coming here to play, baking cookies with Grandma, and chasing the animals with Grandpa. She was here to fix the issues so everything she wished for could actually happen.

The summer was twisting her life around and it was out of her control. If he wasn’t going to sell the farm or make her take it over, then the only other option was to give it to another member of the family. Her cousin Lucas?

“Don’t worry, Daddy, if you want…”

“I understand why you don’t, Sammy. I accept that.”

“I had no idea those were your life goals for me. I wish I would’ve known. I could’ve made other decisions for my life.”

“I needed to let you make your own choices. That was part of letting you grow up. I wouldn’t have been a good father otherwise. Anyway, my other idea is to give the farm to Noah.”

“Noah.” The name came out in a gust of air. This would mean that Noah would be involved with her family for the rest of her life. Was it a good thing or was it bad?

“I’ve been considering it, but I know you’ve been dating him.”

“That’s okay, Daddy. Don’t let that influence your decision on things.”

“But it does. I don’t want to cause any more friction in your life. If he knows he’s getting the farm, then he might think he is obligated to date you. I don’t want that decision to affect your life.”

“Any decision regarding the farm affects my life.” She rested her elbows onto her knees, then covered her face with her hands.

“I suppose you’re right.”

“Are you going to tell him that you might give it to him?”

“I’m going to give it to him. The question is when?”

“You two are pretty close but are you sure you really want to give up the ranch?” “I know people are going to have a hard time understanding my decision. I don’t even know if he wants it.”

“Okay.” She looked up at him.

“What I do know is that he loves this place as much as I do. He’s like a son to me now and has no other family. I’d like to at least give him the option.”

“He does a remarkable job here.”

“A better job than I do most of the time.”

“Is that so? Somehow I find it hard to believe.” She laughed softly.

“I don’t want to tell him yet so please keep it between us. Your mother doesn’t even know yet.”

At the sound of his words, Samantha led out a huge giggle.

“What’s so funny?”

“Mom’s going to have a fit once she finds out.”

“Yes, dear. I’m aware of that,” he said, joining in on her laughter.

“One more thing, Daddy,” she said softly.

“Yes?”

“Are you going to divorce Mom?”

“No.”

“But if you’re not happy…”

“I promised her till death do us part. I intend on following through with that unless she wants otherwise.”

They looked over to the big farm house. It was a beautiful sight, one Samantha never wanted to give up. Did she really want to leave this place? Could she and Noah run the farm together?

Chapter 12

Samantha examined herself in the mirror. She wore the light blue dress she’d found in her closet but didn’t remember owning. It was good for a wedding and probably better than the black dress she had envisioned. Her hair was in a French twist. She hoped her curls didn’t fall down around her face as they usually did, which prompted compliments. Everyone commented on her hair being so beautiful but it was more of a nuisance than anything.

“Are you ready?” she heard from behind her. Her mother, who never came into her room, was standing at the opened bathroom door. She looked nice, Samantha had to admit, in a red pants suit.

The women stared at each other in the mirror. Samantha tried to get the nerve to tell her mom she looked pretty but she couldn’t. Complimenting her mother was so foreign to her that the idea formed itself into a knot in the pit of her stomach.

“Has Noah arrived yet?”

“Um, no, I haven’t seen him. I’m bringing an umbrella, it rained last night.” Her mother turned to leave.

Samantha followed her out. “Maybe he’s waiting outside with Daddy,” she said softly.

“Perhaps you should have worn your hair down this time.”

“Maybe.” Wow. Had Mom just suggested she wear her hair down? She’d never suggested she wear her hair down in her life. Had they gone a step forward? Would her mom start accepting other decisions in her life, such as her relationship with Noah or graduating college?

If her mother had encouraged her, she probably wouldn’t have rebelled and left for college. Oh, well, worse things to worry about.

Her high heels made a click-click as she descended the stairs. Where the hell was Noah?

“You look pretty,” said her father as she came down the stairs.

She looked down both sides of the yard, since they had agreed to take her car. It was only logical for him to walk over.

“Have you seen Noah?”

“No. Isn’t he your date for the wedding?”

“Yes, Daddy,” she mumbled and walked back up the porch. She didn’t want to wait. It was hard enough to be going to this wedding. The longer she waited, the more anxiety pooled inside her. Thick summer clouds rumbled in the sky. Were they a sign of what was to come?

“You’re still here?” Mom rushed past and hurried down the stairs. She held a present in one hand, her purse in the other with an umbrella tucked under her arm.

“Waiting for Noah.”

“It is poor taste to be late for an occasion like this, Samantha. You’re the one that chose Noah as a date. I tried to warn you, but you don’t lis—”

“It really isn’t a good time for that,” Samantha said with a sigh.
 

“Mom?”

Her mom turned toward her. “Yes?”

“You look great today.” There. It was done. She was able to compliment her mother after all. It was hard, but was over now. Maybe next time would be easier.

“So do you.” Her mom blushed and hurried to the car. She shut the door and turned back, smiling at her through the window.

Her parents disappeared down the road, leaving her alone on the porch to keep an eye out for Noah’s truck. Surely he wouldn’t walk over after all?

One more minute and then she’d leave. Was he standing her up? He wouldn’t do that to her. Couldn’t do that. But would he? She walked down to see if he was coming from the back way.

With no sign of him, she glanced toward the road. Still no Noah.

Being late wasn’t an option. It meant drawing more attention to herself and there’d be enough by showing up. Not being on time and without him to help her through this event? What should she do if he didn’t come? Call her parents on their cell? No way. Finding him was the first thing on her list. Beyond that, she had no idea.

Was she supposed to meet him at the wedding? Samantha shook her head. No, they were supposed to meet at her parents’ house and drive in her car. She clearly remembered talking to him about it.

With no sign of him, she got into the car and sped out of the driveway, spraying gravel all over the pretty flower beds. She drove down the road until she reached the turnoff to the pasture. Her car began to act sluggish before she reached the clearing, making it impossible to drive any further. Too much rain during the night had forced the ground to turn mushy and unable to hold the vehicle’s weight.

Kicking her heels onto the floorboard of the car, she lifted the hem of her dress to make sure it didn’t drag in the mud. She tiptoed her way through the gushy substance, feeling the wet dirt go all the way past her ankles. Was this worth it? Yes. Facing Jackie and Wiley alone was something she couldn’t do. Noah’s truck was still there. The door was shut with the curtains closed and no movement around the trailer. Blue wasn’t even squawking.

Once she finally reached solid soil, her feet were coated with mud. It even squished between her toes. It was the grossest feeling but she was glad that she had made the snap decision to kick her shoes off in the car instead of wearing them. Feet were easier to clean than shoes.

Approaching the trailer, she didn’t see any signs of him.