Rocky Mountain Freedom (42 page)

“Sure, but…” Cassidy paused. “Don’t do anything drastic, T.”

His friend shook himself alert. “Don’t worry. I’ll be a complete grownup. And for the first time in my life, I know exactly what that means.”

He was out the door before Cassidy could stop him.

Chapter Thirty

Travis dragged a hand through his hair, pacing back to the large front windows for the third time. The familiar setting of the home he’d grown up in was yet another reminder of what he was about to sacrifice.

Although
sacrifice
was the wrong word. The price was something he was more than willing to pay.

“Sit down,” Mike Coleman ordered. “Blake will be here in a minute.”

“I’m here.” His oldest brother shouldered through the door, marching up to surround Travis in an enormous bear hug.

It helped, having that firm grasp, and it burned, because what he was about to say might hurt the family he cared deeply about. But if it protected the people he loved…

Travis smacked Blake on the back then retreated, facing them both and letting it out. “I can’t let this go on. I can’t let the people who mean everything to me be in danger like this.”

“The vandalism?” Mike asked, pulling out a chair at the long family table and gesturing for them to join him. “RCMP are already looking closer into what happened.”

“It’s more than the vandalism.” Travis shook his head, considering his words carefully. “Dad, I care about you and Mom. Care, hell—I
love
the entire family. More than I ever realized, and it’s only hitting home now. You’ve always been there for me even when you’ve given me shit. I’ve learned from you that sometimes the right thing is the toughest thing, but you still do it.”

His father nodded slowly. “What do you need to do?”

Travis took a deep breath. “I want to know what it would take to get a buyout on my share of the ranch.” Blake’s eyes widened. “Not all at once. The goal isn’t to ruin the Six Pack holdings. And I’m not saying this is going to happen, because I haven’t had time to talk to Cassidy and Ashley, but I didn’t want to do that without talking to you first.”

A long pause of near silence followed, the
click, click, click
of the pendulum in the cuckoo clock by the front door the only sound.

“I need to know there’s another option. A way for me to take my family and set up somewhere they will be safe. Where we can live without worrying about getting hurt or hurting others.”

Blake stared at his hands where he’d folded them on the table. “You think you’re going to find a better place than right here?”

Familiar anger shot through Travis. “Ashley’s in the goddamn hospital, Blake. Not only that, but she’s worried sick that Mom is going to be ripped into next, or one of the girls, or the kids.”

“What?” Mike demanded. “Why would she think that?”

“She heard the gossip from the horse’s mouth. It’s the reason she took off from the picnic to go stew on her own.” Travis rose to his feet, pacing to steady himself. “Cassidy got roughed up by an asshole in the middle of what’s supposed to be a friendly family event.”

Memories of their conversation before they’d made the move to Rocky rushed him. Cassidy had warned things would be hard. Ashley had said bad attitudes would be worth dealing with, but none of them had considered beyond themselves.

And none of them had considered being put in physical danger.

“It’s bullshit to think we brought it on ourselves by being different, but in spite of that, we can deal with fucked-up attitudes. But none of us want to be the reason that Daniel’s boys get picked on, or the Six Pack ranch gets vandalized more and more often. If we stick around, there are no guarantees that any of you are safe, and that’s what none of us can stomach.

“But I can’t give up on Ashley and Cassidy either.” He lifted his gaze to his father’s. “Maybe you won’t understand this, but I love them. Both of them, and I know that might not seem right, but it’s also the most right thing I’ve ever had happen. I’m not letting go. I’m holding on with both hands, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them with me and keep them safe.”

“You ready to fight all of society for this, son?” his father asked. “Because no matter where you go, there will be people who won’t like what you’ve got. People who will tell you you’re wrong, and that your choices are hurting others.”

“What I do isn’t hurting anyone else, and I’ve got enough love in me to share with more than one person,” Travis snapped.

Mike grinned. “Damn right, you do.”

He hadn’t said much, but the squeeze of his father’s hand that accompanied the words made his response as good as a shout.

Travis’s throat tightened, and he had to take a moment to compose himself.
Goddamn.
He needed more practice with this emotional shit, because he was one step away from bawling like a bare-assed baby.

“Thank you.”

Mike shook his head slightly. “You never do things the easy way, do you, son?”

Travis snorted. “I guess I don’t.”

Blake eased back into the conversation. “I’ll put this out there. Every time my family grows, I learn about loving more than one person. I don’t think you’ve picked an easy row to hoe, but you’re also one of the most stubborn cusses around. I think you can do anything you put your mind to.”

The words of praise from his big brother hit nearly as hard as those from Mike. Travis nodded, the tight sensation now wrapped around his chest.

“I want to suggest something, though.” Blake glanced at their father. “Or at least start the conversation. I agree, it’s bullshit for anyone to have to worry about vandals or the kids being set on.”

The understanding was going to kill him. “So you’ll help us find a new place to settle—”

“Like hell. I mean we’ll find a way to make things work right here.” Blake raised his brows. “Where else are there more people who’ve got your back?”

Mike nodded. “If you’re going to buck tradition, why not do it with the weight of family behind you?”

Travis shook his head. “But what if—?”

He jerked himself to a stop.

Those were the same words he’d refused to allow Ashley and Cassidy to use when they started their summer together. He hadn’t let them hide behind
what if
, and he couldn’t allow himself now either.

What if
s were to be dealt with.
What if
s only held you back if you let them become walls.

He nodded slowly. “I have to talk to the others, but if the family agrees this is a battle they’re willing to take on, then I would love to stay. To make some changes in the community, and show people that families stick together, no matter what that family looks like.”

Mike patted him on the shoulder. “That’s my boy. Stubborn, especially when you’re right.”

“Finally,” Blake teased. “Good to have you join the respectable side of the clan.”

Respectable?
Travis laughed. “I’ve got two lovers, and you’re calling it respectable?”

“You are making it official, aren’t you?” Blake paused. “Hmm, might have to be a family ceremony. I know you can marry Cassidy or Ashley, but I’m not sure about both of them at the same time.”

Marriage?
God, time to shut that one down fast. “Shit, Blake. Don’t go ordering tuxes or anything. We’ll be fine living together.”

“Blake is right.” Mike hit the side of his fist on the table. “Excellent idea. We could set it up during Thanksgiving, maybe.” His father winked at him. “You know, before the kids start coming along.”

Travis’s skin crawled. “Stop, before I change my mind about wanting to stay close to you all. You’re evil.”

They both laughed, the layers of love wrapped up in the taunting.

He needed to get back to Ashley and Cassidy, though. To his
new
family. Tell them what their options were. See what they wanted to do and make a decision together.

Together.
Travis liked the sound of that an awful lot.

Ashley’s throat felt as if she’d swallowed a cat that’d then turned around and done its damnedest to escape.

There was an ache in her brain every time she thought about the loss of her artwork, and yet part of her was already past the weeping.

Everything she’d prepared was gone. There was no way she could be ready in time for the show, and she was going to have to cancel or postpone her commitment. As much fun as continuing to gnash her teeth would be, it wouldn’t bring back her work.

What was more, when she’d lain trapped in the barn, struggling to free herself, her main concern hadn’t been about the paintings. It was the guys who she wanted to know were safe, and in the middle of the chaos and the fear, the realization of how much her world had changed hit hard.

The attitude that all relationships were casual was gone. That level of caring was now relegated to things that could be swapped or remade.

Her guys were irreplaceable and
hers
. No matter how stubborn and frustrating she found them.

Like now. She was hot and sticky from sleeping off and on since they’d popped her into the hospital bed, and no amount of sponge baths were going to rid her hair of the lingering smoke stench.

But no matter how hard she glared, Cassidy refused to let her sneak into the shower.

“Dammit, Cass—”

He shot up a hand as if he were blocking traffic. Grabbed the pad of paper from beside the bed and tossed it in her lap. “Save your breath and write what you’re thinking.”

Oh, she’d write it down, all right. In bold letters with a quick additional sketch of his face, horns sprouting from his temples. His eyes—bloodshot and glaring. She whipped the book around and held it toward him.

The jerk simply grinned. “Nice. It’s missing my forked tail, but I like how both the a’s in
jackass
are nice and round. Kind of makes me think of the tomatoes you want to throw at me.”

“You two playing charades?”

They both turned to the door, eager for Travis’s return. When Mike and Marion Coleman stepped through after him, Ashley pinned her smile in place though the edges might have gone a little ragged.

“Ashley seems to have forgotten she spent part of the day holding up a burning building. She wants to traipse around in the shower.” Cassidy rose to his feet. “Mike. Marion.”

“Sit down, son. We wanted to see Ashley again before they shut down visiting hours.” Mike stopped beside the foot of the bed. “You look better, young lady.”

“Thanks,” she whispered.

Cassidy tapped the notepad and Ashley lost her cool. She flipped him the bird, arm thrust toward him before she remembered who else was in the room.

She twisted back to find Mike grinning and Marion examining her thoughtfully. Not the distracted
lost in space
expression the woman had been wearing recently, but more a considered one, as if she had a specific agenda.

Ashley debated closing her eyes and pretending to be really, really sleepy.

Her hopes were dashed when Marion twirled on the men. “You boys go stretch your legs. I want to talk to Ashley for a few minutes.”

Cassidy moved reluctantly, looking to Ashley to see if this was what she wanted. Travis stood behind him, his chin dipping in encouragement. “Only don’t you talk too much,” he ordered. “Use the notepad.”

Ashley rolled her eyes.

Marion sat in the chair Mike pulled to the side of the bed for her. He kissed her cheek then winked at Ashley. “Come on, boys. I need a coffee.”

And…they were alone.

It should have been more awkward, but partly Ashley was too exhausted to be worrying about impressing anyone. Plus, now that she knew why Marion had been giving the cold shoulder, Ashley felt like shit.

She opened her mouth to apologize.

“I got something to say to you,” Marion cut in before Ashley could speak. The matriarch of the Coleman clan leaned back in her chair and folded her hands carefully. “But first, I’m gonna ask this straight out. Travis told Mike what you overheard, and that you figured I’ve been distracted and maybe even upset by the gossip in town. Is that true?”

Ashley nodded.

Marion caught her hand, obvious sorrow on her face. “Oh, my girl. I’m
so
sorry. I had no idea that’s what you thought, and I should have been paying better attention. Yes, I have something on my mind, but it’s not worrying about what tongue-wagging gossips think about me and mine. I don’t give two shakes about their opinions, and I never have. The only one I’m accountable to for my actions is God. The only people I aim to please are Mike and myself.”

Ashley was now sitting poker straight as she attempted to soak this in. “You’re not worried about me and Cassidy being with Travis?”

“Hush—don’t you talk.” Marion sighed. “Of course, I’m worried. I’m a mother, and I have to worry, but not about who in Rocky is looking and judging.” She squeezed Ashley’s fingers tight. “Honey, when you left suddenly last Christmas, Travis was pretty shaken. When I heard you were back I was worried he was going to be hurt again. You got my mama-bear instincts all riled up.”