“I’m not the one holding the grudge. When we were kids we said nothing would break our friendship. Not even Van. Now look at us.”
“If you’d act like a grown ass man for once we wouldn’t be here.”
“If you’d learn to grow a set we wouldn’t be here.”
“Screw you.” I turn my body so I no longer have to stare at him.
Time passes. The sun is beating down on us, and surrounded by the trees, there’s not much of a breeze to cool us down. I’m parched and Ty keeps coughing. I’ve tried several times to free myself with no use. From across the boat Ty struggles with his own restraints.
More silence passes. “You’d think the wives would be looking for us by now.”
“I’m pretty certain the boys made up something so they wouldn’t.”
He nods. “Yeah, maybe.”
“Did you ever get that last set of cattle out?”
“Six days off schedule, but yeah. It was a tough group having all those calves die in the beginning.”
“That was some fluke. Good thing it didn’t infect the older part of the group.”
“Yeah.”
More quiet.
Ty starts the next bit of conversation. “You doing any better with the stress?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no.”
“Man, that blows. Sorry to hear.”
“Are you, Ty? Are you sorry this happened to me, or does it make you laugh?”
He shakes his head. “No. That’s what you don’t get. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I just don’t know how to deal with serious shit. It’s like I have a self defense mechanism. I’d rather joke it away, because smiling is easier than admitting there’s nothing I can do to help. The joke got out of hand, but I never meant for it to go this far. I’m lost without you, dude.” He starts to pretend pout. “I can’t live without your love.”
Rolling my eyes, I take into consideration that most of what he said is true. Ty can’t deal with negativity. “I don’t forgive you.”
“Fine. Don’t. What else is new?”
“It’s sucks being ignored doesn’t it? Feel like you’re being punished?” A guffaw escapes me. “Because you are. I want you to know what it’s like when you’ve pissed off everyone who cares about you.”
“Lesson learned, bro. Come on, Colt. This is stupid.”
“No.” I can’t do it. “I refuse to let you talk me out of this. Life’s been quieter this past week. Maybe you’re part of my problem.”
“If that were the case you’d have thanked me by now.”
He’s right.
“So,” Ty relentlessly keeps at it. “You hate me?”
“Hate is a strong word. I dislike you very much at the moment.”
“What if I tipped myself overboard? Unlike you, I’m not strapped to anything else. I could simply fall over and you’d never have to hear me again.”
“As tempting as that is, you’re blood. Just because I don’t want to see your face doesn’t mean I wish harm on you.”
“It would destroy your wife.”
“Maybe,” I admit.
Ty is grasping at straws. He’s desperate for my forgiveness and the longer I hold out the more I wonder if it should happen at all. Maybe the best lesson is to let it simmer a little longer.
It’s been hours and we’ve not seen of heard from anyone in the family. At one point I dozed off. I leaned my head against the side of the boat and slipped down off the seat onto the hard surface of the boat deck. The center console separates me from Ty, but doesn’t keep his voice from traveling across the water.
“Nice of you to wake up.”
“Nothing else to do,” I say with a shrug.
“We need to get out of this. My wrists feel like they’re bleeding. Can you see them?” He scoots around so I can see the back of them. “They’re red.”
“I’m stiff from sitting.” As he says it his eyes widen. “You know what I mean.”
“What? No comeback joke?”
“I’m done with the jokes. I want a bottle of water and a neck massage. Why don’t you free yourself and come over here and help me out?”
“Why don’t you suck my dick?”
“Always pulling out the dick talk?” He smirks, but doesn’t offer anything else.
“Whatever. I wouldn’t free you if your life depended on it. You better hope your sons come back for you.”
“Who’s being the child now?” Ty questions. “We could have been free by now if you just get over this grudge so we can work together. That’s why they did this. Think about it. The family is sick of the feud. They all want us to go back to the way we were. Colt, we’ve joked our whole lives. I know the shit is serious, but come on, it’s not worth this. I’m tired. My head hurts and I need to piss.”
“No.”
“Fine. Have it your way, dickhead.”
When he says it I decide I’m going to hold out. I’m not being the first one to make amends. I don’t care if we spend the night out here or he has to sit in his own piss.
Chapter 16
Oh where oh where
Savanna
I’ve looked everywhere for Colt and haven’t seen him since we got back to the house. He’d gone fishing earlier, but Noah said he wanted to be alone. Considering the stress he’s under and what he’s been going through I figured I’d give him some space. Now I’m a bit concerned. It’s past dinner time and he promised to cook on the grill.
I’m outside checking the barn when I spot Miranda on a farm Gator. She stops in front of me. “You seen Ty?”
“No. I’m looking for Colt.”
At the same time we both get a worried look across our faces.
I’m the first to comment. “Noah said he wanted to fish alone.”
“So did Jax about Ty.”
I’m already climbing on the vehicle. Miranda takes off into the woods. “What do you think they did to them?”
“We’re about to find out,” she replies.
Halfway there we spot Callie and Cob in the middle of the forest. They’re obviously having a heated discussion, but quiet when they hear us coming.
Miranda looks over to her niece and then back to me. “Problems at home.”
Figuring our men can’t be in any danger, we both hop off to see if we can help. I’ve heard Cob was offered a job out of the country, and that Callie wants him to pass it up. I’ve also heard how much money he was offered and how it would better their future. It’s temporary, and that’s something she’s not taking into consideration.
Miranda and I walk over together. “What’re you two doing all the way out here?”
“We needed privacy. I think Cob is going to have to head to North Carolina early. He has some packing to do.”
My stomach knots up. We’ve never had a separation in the family, so this is something none of us are prepared to handle. Callie has tears falling down her cheeks, and it’s obvious Cob is suffering the same kind of pain just in a different way. “Why would he be packing without you?” I have to ask.
“Because he’s taking the job in Costa Rica.”
Cob is still silent as Callie continues. “I’m staying and he’s going. It’s been decided.”
Miranda is never one to hold back her feelings. “Hold on. You’re willing to ruin your relationship over where you live? That’s the biggest load of bullshit I’ve ever heard. Grow up, girlfriend. You’re married. It’s a fifty-fifty commitment. For better or worse. You don’t just give up because you don’t get your way.”
“That’s not it,” Callie argues.
Miranda knows better. “Don’t give me that crap. You’re acting like a child. You have the opportunity to travel. Your child can experience things you never got to do. It’s temporary. You’re a fool if you don’t go. What you’re doing isn’t for your family. You’re being selfish and Cob’s letting it happen, because he loves you so much he wants you to be happy, even when it costs him his own. That kind of love is hard to co
me by. If you want to screw it up and be miserable have at it, but you won’t have my support. I think you’re a damn fool.”
“I didn’t ask your opinion.”
Instead of letting Miranda have a come back, I take a turn. I’m so frustrated with everything going on I need to let some of it out. “Excuse me? Is that any way to speak to your elder? You should be ashamed of yourself, young lady. I don’t care how old you are. We watched you come into this world. Don’t you dare disrespect us.”
“It’s none of your business,” she defends.
Miranda looks to me and smiles. “We’re family. It is our business. No matter what we have each other’s backs. Like it or not, that’s how it is. You’re damn lucky to be a part of this family. What you’re doing is the easy way out. It takes gut and strength to overcome obstacles in a marriage. Why would you make trouble when you have such a wonderful opportunity in front of you?”
Cob reaches out to Callie. “Babe, I don’t want to go without you, but I also don’t want to pass on money that will give us a better future. I’m doing this for our family. Why can’t you see that?”
She looks from him and then to us. “I’m scared.”
Miranda pulls her into her arms. “It’s a big move, but you’ll be back and we’ll all come visit. Maybe we could come for the holidays? Wouldn’t that be fun?”
Callie shrugs. “Yeah, I guess.”
I give Cob a wink. Everything is going to be okay. It’ll be hard at first, but once Callie gets there she’ll adjust. It’s hard when she’s never really gone anywhere far from her family.
When Miranda pulls away she offers a hug to Cob. Stick around for the event. You two can go home afterwards and pack together, as a family.”
They both nod. We wait and watch them embrace before getting back on the vehicle and continuing on the find the guys.
“You know they’ll probably fight again, right?” I ask Van.
“Of course, but at least she knows where her family stands.”
“True.”
The sun is starting to set when we come upon the pond. Low and behold we spot the guys immediately. One is on either side of the center console boat and they are paddling to shore with their hands.
I cup my face and start to giggle. “Holy crap!”
“The boys must have stranded them out in the center to force them to communicate.”
“It’s genius,” I admit.
We stand in amazement as they finally make their way to the small pier and tie off the boat. They both see us waiting and stop in their tracks. Colt speaks first. “Were you all in on this?”
Miranda and I look at each other and both shake our heads.
They act as if nothing is wrong. Colt comes over and puts his arm around me, while Ty and Miranda follow behind. They say nothing as we ride back to the house, and finally part ways. Miranda and I pass looks to one another as they pull away and head to the main ranch house.
“Are you going to tell me what happened?”
“Ty got his hands free and then helped me. We paddled to shore. That’s the end.”
“Did you talk?”
He shrugs. “Enough.”
I can tell Colt is in a terrible mood and decide to leave it at that.
After a shower, he comes downstairs in a better mood. Without explaining what he’s doing, he leaves the house on a farm gator.
Since he didn’t come home I decided to pull out a couple frozen lasagnas. While they cook I sit out on the front porch swing wondering where he could have gone. At first I wonder if he’s gone to Noah’s to give him a hard time, but he and Shalan show up with the kids only a few minutes after he’s left.
Noah walks up onto the porch and gives me a once over. “What’s up with you?”
I’m still swinging. “You wouldn’t happen to know how your father and uncle got stuck in the boat without a paddle, do you?”
He grins. “Maybe.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“Is he back?”
I nod. “Yep.”
“Inside?”
“Not anymore. He took off on a gator. No clue where he went.”
“The event is tomorrow. He has to get over this.”
As I say it I hear the farm vehicle coming back down the lane. Much to my surprise I see Miranda sitting in the front next to Colt. Out of nowhere Ty comes jumping from the back wearing that stupid clown mask he had at the cabin. Right away I know they’ve made amends. My heart feels whole again. Like it or not, those two need each other. Ty keeps Colt on his toes, and Ty need Colt’s guidance when he gets out of line. They are better together, and horrible to live with when they bicker.
I point at my husband. “Really? You invited these two?”
He shrugs. “He’s the only person I can beat at cards.”
Ty slaps him on the shoulder. “Horseshit. You can’t remember the last time you beat me.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Taking the mask from Ty, I watch as they pile into the house, including Noah, Shalan and the kids, leaving me and Miranda the only ones remaining. “What just happened?”
“No clue. Ty got out of the shower and Colt was banging on the door. He kept smiling and telling us to hurry up.”
“Wow. I wondered what they talked about?”
“I asked Ty. He said they argued most of the day.”
“That makes no sense.”
“I know. When we got back Ty said nothing had changed.”
“Huh?” I’m dumbfounded. I have no idea what’s gotten into my husband, but I’m going to find out.
Dinner is served out in the garage area where we have most of the parties. The whole family is present and it’s so much conversation going on at once that I can’t get a word in edgewise to my husband.
After we’ve cleaned up, most of the groups separate. The children are all taken to be put to bed and the grandparents stick around for a traditional game of cards. The first thing I notice is that Colt and Ty are cutting up. They’re carrying on, shoving each other and toasting their beers. Ty keeps winking at me, as if to let me know they’re okay, like I hadn’t been able to tell.
I don’t even enjoy myself because I’m so memorized by Colt’s change in demeanor. By the time everyone is off to bed, I discover my husband in our room. He saunters over and pulls me into an embrace, lifting my feet off the ground as he carries me to our bed. Before laying me down, he takes his time removing all of my clothes, one article at a time. With each stroke of his hand, every kiss he places on my naked skin, I can tell something is different. He’s motivated. He’s encouraging this to happen instead of being standoffish. This is the old Colt and I can’t understand why.
Not until I reach down and feel what’s happening between his legs. I stop mid-kiss and pull away to search his expression. “You’re hard.”
“Happened earlier in the shower.”
“What happened?”
“No clue,” he says with another kiss. “I got a lot off my chest today on the boat. I decided to stop worrying about little shit. Life it too short. I can’t change Ty and I don’t want to. If he changed it wouldn’t be the same.”
“Does he know about this?”
“Probably. I didn’t tell him about it the first time. He guessed. I’m assuming he knows something changed.”
I’m so elated I don’t want to talk about it. All I want to do is make love to my husband to celebrate this change. “I love you, Colt. I’m glad you feel better.”
He picks me up and tosses me on the bed, stripping out of his pants and then joining me. “Oh, let me show you how better I feel.”
Chapter 17
Happy Mitchell Day
Shalan
The time has come and gone. Two glorious days of beautiful weather and a record breaking turnout has resulted in us exceeding all expectations of hitting our original goal. We were able to raise one point two million dollars in total that is to be distributed between four cancer research centers.
I’m still in awe we were able to pull off such an amazing event.
Our family came together and created an atmosphere for all to enjoy. Women were able to receive free mammograms for early detection. Children got to pet and spend time with special needs animals and some that just came for attention.
Each of us had a job to do. We had a few hiccups. My in-laws were late the first day. Two hours late to be exact. Rumor has it, they overslept, but I didn’t want to ask how or why.
Callie and Cob had another blowup, but they’re headed home to pack for a big move, together.
The twins sold t-shirts that were totally inappropriate, but actually sold over five hundred of them. By the second day plenty of males were sporting them.
Amber’s celebrity friends got drunk, but managed to put on their game faces during the signing and appearances.
The song I was going to sing with my fellow artists got changed at the last minute. Two people forgot the lyrics mid song, but we managed to make it seem flawless enough they cheered for an encore. Our concert took up the whole second day. It was hot out for being October, and many people were dressed in costumes, including Uncle Ty who walked around for two days as a fully dressed creepy clown. Whenever a child would scream we knew it was him.
Everyone played a part. Everyone worked their asses off. Halfway through most of us said we wouldn’t go through this again. By the end, we were already planning for next year.
That’s how this family works. We’re better together, as a team. No matter how big we get, we manage to make it work. I’m so proud to be a part of this. I’m proud of my husband and his cousins. I’m proud of the children for all behaving. I’m proud of everyone else who volunteered their time to make it the best event.
It’s humbling to know we did this. That we were able to raise so much money in two days. That people were giving us what they had in order to help others they didn’t even know.
There were a lot of tears. The celebrity friends that came all had personal stories of cancer. Some lost loved ones, while others fought themselves. It’s amazing how they were able to share this with strangers. Utterly speechless. That’s how I feel right now.
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