Rancher's Deadly Reunion

by Beth Cornelison

  He wanted to scream his frustration with the stiff, too-polite, completely pointless conversation. Maybe she was right. Any discussion about their unresolved differences of opinion regarding Connor should wait for a less public forum. And any reference to the kisses they’d shared would only make him want a repeat performance. Also out of line in the midst of her parents’ friends. But, damn...with her hair swept up in a loose bun, wispy ringlets on her nape, she looked like something out of a fairy tale. His mouth watered, wanting to taste the delicate skin behind her ears and nibble his way along her slim throat.

  Piper’s gaze moved over the gathering before returning to him. “Is your dad here? I haven’t seen him.”

  “He’s supposed to be. He was still getting dressed when I left. Told me not to wait on him.” Brady sipped his beer and tried to quell the lust curling through him.

  “And Connor?”

  “Not coming. When I told him it was an adult party, he opted for video games and a sleepover at his friend’s house.”

  “Oh.”

  He heard the disappointment in her tone. He took it as a good sign that she wanted to spend time with their son.

  The clink of a utensil against a glass rose above the conversations in the room and slowly quieted people, and Zane stepped toward the center of the room, calling, “Can I have everyone’s attention, please?”

  All of the guests turned to better see Zane, and a hush fell over the room. “Thank you all for coming tonight to help us celebrate thirty years of marriage for our parents, Michael and Melissa McCall.”

  A round of applause and a few whistles lifted from the assembly, before Zane raised his bottle of beer. “I’d like to be the first to offer a toast to the happy couple. Mom and Dad, I couldn’t be happier for you...”

  Piper leaned toward Brady whispering, “Help me! I’m supposed to give a toast after Zane’s, but I’m afraid of either sounding too mushy or trite and insincere.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “Give me something to say. You know words have never been my thing.” She wiped her hands on her dress, then flexed her fingers.

  “Um...wish them happy anniversary, and...” Brady fumbled. “I don’t know...”

  “So here’s to the best parents a guy could ever have,” Zane said, raising his drink, and the rest of the party attendees joined him. “May you have many more years of happiness.”

  The crowd cheered and clinked glasses, and Brady cast a gaze around for one of the caterers’ trays. As a white-shirted teenager carrying a tray of drinks squeezed between the couch and a cluster of ranch hands, Brady swooped in to snag a flute of champagne. He scuttled back and held it out to Piper as Zane called, “And now my sister, Piper, would like to say a few words. Piper?”

  Her eyes were wide and anxious as Brady shoved the drink into her hand and murmured in her ear. “Favorite memory, they’re role models, something about the future...”

  She bobbed a nod, swallowed hard, and he took a step back, giving her the limelight.

  “Uh...” She paused to clear her throat. “I just want to add my congratulations and, um...” She glanced to Brady as if seeking support, and he gave her a subtle thumbs-up. “Growing up, all of my fondest memories include times when we were all together as a family, and Mom and Dad were laughing together or encouraging us.”

  Piper drew a slow breath and continued, “I know they didn’t always agree on everything, but they found a way to work together, to compromise...and they always had my back. I forgot that for a few years, during a difficult time in my life, but I had a very clear reminder today that, even though I’ve grown up and moved away, nothing can ever change that truth.” She glanced at her mother, and Melissa blew her a kiss. “Just this afternoon, Mom was ready with her love and advice when I needed her.”

  Brady raised an eyebrow, wondering what had transpired this afternoon. Had Piper told her mother about Connor?

  “My parents have...” When she returned her gaze to his, Piper stumbled a bit over her words. “Uh...they m-modeled the kind of solid, loving marriage that someday I hope to have.”

  Brady couldn’t help but wonder if her image of her future marriage included him.

  “They’ve set a pretty high bar for happiness,” Piper said and smiled to the gathered guests.

  “Piper, I’m s’rry. I know’m late, darlin’,” a voice called from behind Brady, and he cringed. Not only did Brady know the voice, he knew the slurring speech that indicated how much Roy had been drinking. Brady tensed as he turned. The rest of the crowd sent curious looks Roy’s way.

  “But you’re wrong. S’all wrong.” Roy staggered in from the kitchen, clearly having entered through the mudroom door instead of the front hall like the other guests. “It’za lie.” He waved a finger like an old schoolmarm scolding a class. He wore a dress coat and tie, but his collar was unbuttoned, and his tie was askew. His shirt was tucked in but haphazardly, and his hair had been combed but looked as though Roy had been raking his fingers through it ever since.

  Brady issued a curse under his breath and pushed through the crowd, making his way toward his inebriated father. Heat flashed through Brady. Embarrassment. Anger. Frustration.

  “No marriage’z all happy’n roses. They got s’crets. I got secrets. My wife...she had se—” he hiccupped “—secr’ts.”

  A low buzz of conversation filled the room.

  “Dad, stop,” he said quietly as he approached Roy.

  Piper divided a concerned glance between her parents and Roy. She seemed uncertain whether to continue her toast or wait for the interruption to play out.

  Roy aimed his finger at the senior McCalls, shouting, “Tell ’em the truth, M’lissa. Michael. Not always so happy.”

  Brady grabbed his father’s arm but, with a surprising strength and determination, Roy shook him off and stumbled farther into the crowded room.

  “Roy, what are you doing?” Melissa asked sternly, her complexion pale.

  “I know the truth,” Roy shouted back as guests shifted uncomfortably with the growing tension. “But I c’n keep y’r secr’ts. I c’n keep secr—” His loud belch interrupted his rant.

  Gritting his teeth in fury, Brady seized his father’s arm again. “Let’s go, Dad. You’re making a scene.”

  Waving his hand toward the McCalls, his father chortled. “I’m not makin’ a scene! I’m just cel’bratin’ thirty years for...” He waved his finger as if he was struggling to remember the McCalls’ names. “Michael and M’lissa.”

  Josh appeared from the cluster of party guests and took Roy’s other arm. “Let’s get him to your house and sober him up, huh?”

  A fresh wave of shame washed over Brady, and he kept his eyes down as he jerked a nod and helped wrestle his father toward the back door.

  “Ask ’em!” Roy yelled as he was dragged from the party. “Ask ‘em how happy they was fift’n years ‘go! Not s’happy then!”

  The click of high heels followed Brady and Josh as they hustled Roy through the kitchen, drawing the attention of the catering staff. With a backward glance, he confirmed that Piper had followed them. “Sorry about the interruption, Piper. Go back to the party. We’ve got this.”

  “Let go of me,” Roy snarled.

  “What is he talking about?” Piper asked, still trailing them as they pushed Roy out the door and into the chilly night air.

  “I don’t know.” Brady hitched his head toward the kitchen. “Seriously, Piper. Go back in. Finish your toast.”

  Roy pointed at Piper. “You broke my boy’s heart. Still after...all these years.”

  “Dad,” Brady growled, giving Roy’s arm a tug, “Shut up. Don’t say another word.”

  His father turned a glare to him. “You know she hurt you. Connor is proof o’ that!”

  Piper gasped, stopping in her tracks and cutting a worried lo
ok to Josh.

  Josh slowed to a stop. He frowned and angled a curious look toward his sister. “Okay, this is getting weirder by the minute. What does any of this have to do with Connor?”

  “Forget it,” Brady said at the same time Roy slurred, “He’s their kid.”

  Brady might have been able to bluff his way through the moment, but Josh faced his sister, searching her face. “Piper?”

  Her guilty expression and the ragged breath she drew as she averted her eyes were all the answer Josh needed.

  “Who told you that?” Brady asked his father, an aching pit growing in his stomach.

  “Found Scott’s letter in y’r room.”

  Brady huffed an angry sigh. “You had no right to read—” He cut himself off. He’d save his recriminations for later.

  Josh shifted his hard stare, narrowing his eyes. “Brady, Piper, I think you have some explaining to do.”

  Piper rushed over and put a hand on Josh’s arm. “I’ll tell you everything. Later. Just...let me tell Dad first. And...not tonight. I—”

  Josh gaped at his sister, hurt and betrayal accompanying his shock. “Just Dad? Does Mom know?”

  “Too many secrets,” Roy muttered, wobbling as he tried to pull free of Brady’s grasp. Then, with a half snort, half snore, Roy’s head lolled to the side, and his legs no longer supported him.

  Brady and Josh shifted their hold on him just in time to keep him from collapsing.

  “Look,” Brady said, his gut pooling with acid. “Let’s get him inside and squared away. We can talk about everything else...” he met Piper’s resigned gaze “...later.”

  The back screen door slammed, and Zane jogged across the yard toward them. “Can I help?”

  Brady heaved a weary sigh, and as the third McCall sibling trotted up to them, witnessing his humiliation, he muttered, “Look, you guys, I’m sorry about all that in there. I know it’s no big surprise that my dad’s a drunk, but I hate that he spoiled your parents’ celebration.”

  Zane waved him off. “Nothing’s spoiled. Dad made a joke and a few statements about there being nothing hidden between them other than his real weight and Mom’s occasional splurge shoe purchases, and the party got back on track. Don’t lose sleep over it.” He rubbed the back of his neck and grunted. “What a night...” Zane paused, squinting in the direction of Piper’s favorite cottonwood and bench on the hill.

  She cast a glance the same direction. “What?”

  “I thought I saw...something.” He shrugged while Josh and Brady each turned to peer toward the hill. “Never mind.” Zane stooped to grab Roy’s feet. “Piper, get the door?”

  She nodded and hurried to the front door of the house.

  Once Roy was deposited on his bed and Brady had pulled his dad’s boots off and covered him with a blanket, he joined the McCall siblings in the living room.

  “I think I’ll stay here. Make sure he doesn’t try to make an encore performance if he wakes up.” Frowning, he scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “Not sure how welcome I’d be after this anyway.”

  “Of course you’re welcome!” Josh protested.

  Piper put a hand on his wrist. “You’re not to blame for anything your dad says or does. Don’t beat yourself up over this.”

  He shrugged. “I know. Usually I can stay on top of things with him, keep him out of trouble, but tonight... I just...”

  When he didn’t finish his sentence, Zane asked, “Do you have any idea what he was talking about? What secrets do my parents have? What secret is he keeping?”

  “Zane!” Piper drilled him with a warning glare.

  Brady shook his head. “I honestly don’t know. It could have been just drunk rambling or delusions on his part. Please apologize to your mom and dad for me.” He paused and shook his head. “No, I need to do it. In person. First thing tomorrow.”

  “Your dad is the one who needs to apologize.” Piper squeezed his wrist, and he covered her hand with his.

  “Do you think...” Brady drew his eyebrows together, his gut tightening when he considered the fallout of his father’s drunken display. “Will this cost my dad his job? I wouldn’t blame your folks if they did let him go, but...”

  “I can’t imagine they’d let this get in the way of so many years of loyalty and hard work. Your dad is a great foreman,” Zane said. “We need his help and guidance more than ever, considering the events of late.”

  Brady chewed the inside of his cheek, not bothering to tell the siblings how much of his father’s slack he’d picked up. Especially since Roy’s drinking had increased following Scott’s death.

  Josh cleared his throat and shuffled his feet. “Um, about that other thing he mentioned, about—”

  Piper shook her head, her eyes imploring. “Josh, don’t. I told you I need to talk to Mom and Dad about it first.”

  “What thing?” Zane asked, his brow beetled in confusion.

  Piper drew a finger across her throat, signaling Josh to stop talking.

  “Josh already knows,” Brady said softly. “What does it hurt to tell Zane now?”

  “What does Josh know?” Zane pressed, obviously growing agitated.

  Piper sighed, her face dark with consternation, and Josh divided a look between Brady and Piper, obviously waiting for permission to divulge what he knew.

  Zane spread his hands, looking from face to face. “Someone want to fill me in?”

  “Connor is mine and Piper’s.” Brady gave Piper an apologetic look and shrugged. “I don’t see the point of waiting when Josh already found out.” He returned his attention to her brothers. “I only learned the truth after Scott died. He left me a letter. Piper just found out the whole story this week.”

  Zane gaped at Brady, while Josh shoved his hands in his pockets and clenched his back teeth.

  “Please,” Piper whispered, her voice thin and strained. “Don’t say anything. I told Mom this afternoon, kind of without planning to, but I need a chance to talk to Dad, to explain.”

  Zane shoved a hand through his hair and blew out a puff of air. “Wow. I don’t even know what to do with that.” He shared a shocked glance with Josh, then added, “What are you going to do?”

  “You are going to do right by her, aren’t you? You’ll marry Piper?” Josh said, his questions sounding more like commands as his eyes narrowed.

  “Hey!” Piper stepped over to Josh and poked him in the chest. “I’m a big girl now, Doofus. I think I can decide what’s right for me without your help!”

  Josh leveled a challenging glare on her. “Fine. And what about what’s best for Connor?”

  She gasped, and tears blossomed in her eyes. “Don’t be a jerk, Josh. I only learned the truth yesterday. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it all myself.”

  “Connor’s best interests are our top priority,” Brady said evenly. “But they’re also for Piper and me to decide.”

  Zane squared his shoulders. “You’re right. This is just...a shock to us.”

  “Tell me about it,” Piper muttered. In a nervous gesture, she raised a hand to her hair to rake her fingers through the chocolate-brown waves, then stopped with a grimace when she encountered the upswept arrangement and hair pins.

  “I take it you haven’t decided a way forward, then?” Josh folded his arms over his chest and gave his sister a concerned look.

  She shook her head. “No. Everything’s muddled together—the fire in the field, the news about Connor, your proposal about the new business... I have so much to consider. I don’t know where to start, and... I’m scheduled to go back to Boston day after tomorrow.”

  “I know where to start,” Brady said.

  The three McCalls turned their eyes to him.

  “You can’t rush important decisions like the ones you’re making. And I know you. You’ll want things settled before you go.”


  She gave him a resigned nod.

  “Then you can’t leave yet.” He placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “You should extend your stay. Indefinitely.”

  Chapter 9

  Piper lingered in Brady’s living room after the twins returned to the party. She stood by the back wall and looked at the family pictures hung there. Framed photos of Roy and Brady’s mother at their wedding. Brady and Scott as young boys. Scott helping Brady learn to ride his first horse. Canned studio shots of the four of them that had been taken when Brady was about six, Scott closer to thirteen. A rare trip to Florida when Brady was seven. Little did he know that was the last family trip they’d make. His mother had died the next winter.

  Her death had wrecked Roy. That was when his drinking started in earnest. At least, that was when young Brady had noticed his father’s problem.

  Now, he moved up beside Piper and stared at the photos with her. “You should go back to the party.”

  “Soon.”

  “You have to finish that eloquent toast to your parents.”

  She elbowed him in the gut. “Ha ha.”

  After a few strained moments, she cut a side-glance to him. “Look, Brady...” she pivoted to face him “...obviously we have a lot to figure out. I can extend my stay a couple days, but not indefinitely. Maybe we should have dinner together tomorrow. Talk things out?”

  He shrugged one shoulder, trying to appear casual, even though his pulse was thrumming like an engine in overdrive. “Of course. I’ll send Dad and Connor out for pizza, and we can eat at my place.”

  “No, don’t impose on them.”

  He curled his lips in a grin. “Trust me. Pizza is no imposition for Connor.”

  “But Roy—”

  “He owes me. Especially after tonight. Don’t worry about him.”

  She fumbled with her pearls. “Actually, I was thinking you and I could go out. Maybe to Zoe’s?”

  His mind flashed back to numerous dates at Zoe’s Bar and Grill, and he experienced a sharp twang in the center of his chest. He rubbed absently at the spot and sighed. If he wanted to avoid places that held sweet memories with Piper, he’d have to move to a new town. He couldn’t think of a single place in Boyd Valley where they hadn’t made memories. “If that’s what you want, sure. So long as we talk.”