“Awesome, I’ll be waiting.” I’m about to hang up when the doorbell goes. “Hold on, there’s someone at the door.” As soon as I pull it open, I’m met with Chloe’s smiling face.
“Surprise!”
Shaking my head, I step aside and allow her in. “How did you even know I’d want to hang out? What if I had a hot guy here and you were interrupting?” To this she chuckles.
“Oh please. The only hot guy that would be here is Clayton and you didn’t mention he’s visiting so I knew you’d be alone.” She’s right.
Shutting the door, I turn and head into the kitchen, following my best friend while she sets about getting spoons and opening the tub of ice cream goodness. “How’s Rhett?” I question. She and Clayton’s best friend have been dating long distance since they met a month ago when she accompanied me to Wyoming. Since then, they’ve been glued to each other when he’s visiting, and on the phone when he’s back in Jackson Hole.
I’ve never seen her so happy, and that makes me happy. “He’s good. Told me he’s thinking about coming out for a few weeks, but I don’t know. He’s been taking a lot of time off so, I might surprise him with a visit of my own.”
“I’m happy for you, Coco,” I smile, digging my spoon into the creamy treat and savoring the mouthful before I continue. “You needed a good man in your life and I reckon that cowboy can give you a ride for your money.”
I earn myself a fit of giggles from my best friend. The blush on her cheeks tell me there’s so much more going on. I think she’s in love and it looks good on her.
“Have you said those magic words yet?”
“Nope,” she pops the p, then pins me with a stare. “Have you?”
Shaking my head, I spoon another scoop and shrug. “Not yet. I mean, I do love him, I don’t think it’s the right time to say it with everything up in the air right now. But yeah, I totally love him.”
“There’s never a right time to say it. I guess if you find the moment and it just slips out, that’s when you know it’s real. It shouldn’t be forced. It should flow.”
Nodding in agreement, I think about her words. We’ve not yet said the I love you yet, but I do agree, the timing is never going to be perfect, but I want it to be special. “I know. And that’s what I mean. With this whole debacle with the ranch, I want to know it’s secure, that they’re not going to lose their home and once the dust has settled, then we’ll fall into place with each other.”
“How is that going? Have you spoken to Nicholson?”
“No, I’ve given him the report, which he’s still wanting to go ahead with, but it depends on the bank. If we can settle the mortgage, which isn’t loads of money, but it’s too much for Molly or Clay to afford right now, then Nicholson doesn’t have a say. It’s weird that he’s targeting the Walker’s like that. I mean, there is so much land in the area, but for some reason, it’s that ranch he wants.”
“It is pretty strange. I mean, it’s not like he can’t set up a holiday resort anywhere else. There’s open land all over Wyoming.” This is what’s been bothering me for weeks. Something isn’t sitting right and I want to know what it is.
“Anyway, let’s get comfy on the sofa,” I grin, trying to shake the worrying thoughts. Tonight, I’ll relax with Chloe, tomorrow after my meeting with the lawyer, I’ll find out what is going on with Mr. Nicholson.
Chapter Seventeen
Clay
Once I pull into the gas station, I exit the truck and head into the store. I need more snacks for the trip and soda to keep my sugar levels up. Once I’m laden with a bag of food for the long trek to see my girl, I settle in the driver’s seat of my truck and head onto the road to make my way toward the I-80. It will take me straight to her.
The road is quiet, the sun hasn’t even begun to peek up from the horizon. When I decided to drive, I wanted to take the time to think things through. Accepting help from Essie went against everything I wanted to do. Taking charity is one thing, but allowing her to pay the bills for something that was our family’s problem to deal with was too much.
Of course, she convinced me that everyone needs a helping hand sometimes. She said she’d rather invest her money in something she believed in, instead of wasting it on something frivolous. When she told me she wants to move out here and be with me, I knew I couldn’t refuse her any more. My father was a proud man, but I knew times where he allowed others to help us.
He told me that as much as a man can stand on his own two feet, there are times when a weight can get too heavy to bear and that’s why he had friends who he trusted enough to let them in. Since Natalie, I’ve not let anyone in. I pushed, and pushed.
But it’s time to let it all go and move forward.
Essie and I spoke over the phone at length about what we’re going to do with the ranch, and she suggested bringing in more kids for lessons, but she also mentioned renting out the empty stables to the folks who want a horse, but don’t have space for it. Training the horses along with the kids on how to ride. There are a lot of options to grow the business, and with the injection of money into the property, we can look at possibly opening it up to holiday makers.
We get our fair share of tourists, so it’s a great idea. Hence the fact that Mom’s busy with her little project making flyers for the local stores advertising the ranch. Hopefully it will give us a steady income. Smiling, I cast a quick glance at the sky and wonder what my dad would say if he were here.
Since I moved back home when he fell ill, it’s been stressful. He made me promise to never give up, to always fight for what I want.
“Clayton, your mom is strong, but when I’m not around, I want you to make sure she goes on. That she does all she needs. She’s always talked about traveling and as much as I want her to do it, now I can’t. Make sure she goes. I want her to see all the places she’s been dreaming about.”
“Dad, you know I’ll do my best. There’s nothing I would rather see than Mom happy.” He nods. The smile on his face would be brighter, but the medication is making him tired. His skin is thin, papery almost. The soft wrinkles at his eyes crease as he winces in pain.
As much as I can’t take seeing him like this, I don’t want to leave. I want to take in every moment with him. I don’t know which will be his last. But I can’t move. Haven’t moved in hours. The beeping of machines is a humdrum in the room, but the noise doesn’t bother me anymore, it’s only us two. Like it used to be.
I recall all the times when he’d take me fishing. Or when he taught me how to ride, to saddle up and how to care for the horses that had a special place in my heart. Those are the moments I want to remember.
He’s taught me about life, love, and how to be a good man. Now, as I sit here watching him wither away to nothing. A mere ghost of who he was, I can’t help but choke back the agony. I’ve never thought about losing him. It never occurred to me the man who was strong and filled with life would be gone someday.
“Son, don’t ever give up on your dreams. If running the ranch is what you want to do, then do it. I’m sorry I’m leaving you with so much debt. I know you’ll make it work. You’re strong, just like your old man.” He laughs, it’s low, raspy with the tubes that are helping him breathe.
“I promise, Dad. There’s no way I’m giving up this ranch. It’s our home. Your home.” He watches me with pride in his gaze.
“And don’t forget to love. Life is beautiful, but with love it can be the most exquisite perfection. I may not be here to see you get married, but I’ll always be watching.” A wry smile curls his lips, and his eyes flutter. “I’m going to sleep.”
And like that, the medication steals him for another night. It’s the same every day. “Good night, Dad,” I whisper, but I know not even the loudest noise will wake him now. The drugs they pump into his arm knock him out. Even though they do nothing to save him, they ease the pain somewhat.
Rising, I took one last look at him and tipped my hat.
Shaking my head of the memory,
I notice the sun slowly lighting the sky now. The orange and reds that light up the sky turn it to a fiery color. It’s incredibly beautiful and that’s why I live out here. To savor each day that begins and ends with that view.
It’s going to be a long drive to California, but I look forward to it and what I’m finally going to do. Letting go of the one person that’s been holding me back all these years. Then, on to my future. To Essie and the ranch. Knowing I’m keeping my promise to my Dad means more to me than anything.
When I told Rhett I’m leaving to see Essie, he promised to keep an eye on Mom and Cody which allows me to stress less about them. As much as I know Mom is capable, I still worry about her. Sometimes, I still hear her crying. I don’t blame her, I can’t imagine losing your life partner.
Thankfully, Rhett is the only person I can trust with them. He’s my best friend. I don’t know what I’d do without him. He’s been a saving grace most of my life. A brother from the moment we met. I knew we’d be lifelong friends.
He’s the only one who put up with my shit for all these years. I don’t think I could have gotten through the heartache of losing Nat in the way that I did, or watching my father wither away. Even though his mom isn’t around, I think mine gave him that motherly love that he’d been missing. He told me she walked out, not wanting to live in Wyoming, she’d apparently went back to Texas. That was almost ten years ago, he hasn’t seen or spoken to her since.
His dad has been trying to pull it together, making their life in Wyoming as easy for them both as possible. I can’t imagine being a single dad, and I can’t imagine how my mom went on after losing her husband, but both are so strong.
Life is something that seems to challenge me on a daily basis, since I was a teen, but slowly I’ve grown up knowing that as long as I have a level head and I don’t let my emotions get the better of me, I can make it through.
I knew the moment Dad died that I had to be there for my mom and brother, to show them that we can be strong, and I think that helped. We stuck together. Now that I have Essie, I’ve found a love inside that girl more than I can even imagine knowing. Granted, I did love Nat. She was an incredible girl, but what I have with Essie is so different.
We challenge each other, but we also have a passion and electricity between us that seems to spark and come alive. Touching her, feeling her against me—her lips, her body, every part of her feels as if she’s inside me. Like she’s my missing piece. It’s been just over a month that I’ve known her and there’s no longer a gaping hole in my chest. The love I have and feel is real. It might be too soon for some, but with her, I knew the moment I looked at her.
Those eyes that look right into my broken soul. She’s always seen my pain and in return, she’s mended me in a way I never expected. Once I finally allowed her in. I’ve never thought of a future with anyone since Nat. Never allowed myself to because it was just too much to bear. I wanted the whole lot, white picket fence, or at least a barn and stables. But I’ve always wanted a family, kids, and a wife. When I met Nat, we hit it off right away. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. And since I lost her, I didn’t think I would find that again.
Then Essie stumbled into my life. Her sunshine was blinding, but it was that moment I finally saw again. She reached inside me and found my heart causing it to beat again.
Love can sneak up on you when you least expect it. Love can also mend all those broken parts you keep hidden. Those are the fragments that Essie found, those I buried so deep inside that nobody knew how to get out, not even me. But she came along like a little ray of sunshine and shone her light through me, seeing me. I know I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her. I’d be lost in a whirlwind of my own making.
My focus had always been on the ranch, trying to get us out of debt. And the way it’s worked out, I now have a partner in that. I wonder if she’d want to be my partner in life as well as the ranch.
I’ve been engaged before, and I don’t want to make the same mistake I did with Nat. But this time, I’m sure. I’m so damn sure I want Essie. If she’d have me, I will vow to make her smile every day for the rest of her life. And I’ll keep that promise.
The sun is high in the sky now, and I’m about to turn off for another stop when my phone buzzes. Quickly pulling into the gas station, I pull it from my pocket. Not recognizing the number, I swipe my finger over the screen. “Hello?”
“Clayton Walker?” The voice with a slight familiarity to it comes across the line.
“Yeah, that’s me.”
My brows crease into a frown when I hear papers being shuffled. “This is Mr. Gother, I’m the lawyer who handled the reading of your dad’s estate when he passed.” That’s when I release a long breath.
“Mr. Gother, yes. Sorry, I didn’t recognize your number.”
“I apologize for the early morning call, I just needed to talk to you about an investment your dad made that’s recently matured. The bank just contacted me and informed me that it will be paid out soon and we need your signature on the paperwork.”
Confusion settles over me. I’m not sure what he’s talking about because all my dad’s accounts had been closed. We didn’t know about any other investments he’d made except for the ranch.
“Mr. Walker?”
“Yeah, sorry, I’m here. I just don’t know what you’re talking about. My father didn’t have any investments.”
He’s silent, but the rustling continues.
“It seems he did. I’ve got the paperwork here. I’d like you to come into the office at your earliest convenience so we can have this paid out to you.”
“Can you tell me what it is at least? I’m not in town, I’m actually on my way to California.”
He clears his throat, then falls silent and I feel the tension bunching up my shoulders. “I can’t discuss it over the phone, but your father has left you a substantial amount of money. Since it’s been gaining interest, you’d be looking at over a million. However, we do need you in the office to go through the finer details.”
My heart stutters at his words. Over a million? “I-I can be there on Friday,” I respond, still finding it hard to believe. This must be some sort of joke. A mistake.
“Great, let’s say ten? I’ll add it to my diary shortly.”
“Thank you,” I say quietly; confusion still weighs heavily on me.
“See you then.” He hangs up before I can respond and I sit silently as a few cars pull into the parking area. People go about their business, but I’m too shocked to do much.
Chapter Eighteen
Essie
“Good day, Ms. Rose.” The man who’s been my family’s lawyer for most of my life stalks into the room. His presence is commanding. Nearing his early fifties, he looks nowhere near his age. He’s got a full head of graying hair and slight wrinkles at his eyes, but other than that, he still looks like he did ten years ago.
“Mr. Porter, it’s so good to see you again. Thank you for all your help with this investment.” I offer him a smile when he shakes my hand. Once he seats himself in the chair opposite his desk, he opens the folder and scans the paperwork I sent through yesterday.
So far, everything is going to plan. “I recall you telling me that you’re planning on moving out there to partner with the current owner in the running of the ranch?” He lifts his gaze along with his question.
“Yes, I’ve spent time there and find that it’s something I’d love to do. However, I have got an offer with a local real estate agent there. I’ll be assisting with vacation rentals, as well as sales that come through. With my background in the business, I will be an asset to them.”
He nods, dropping his gaze to the agreement I signed yesterday which will allow Clayton and I to run the ranch as partners. I didn’t want to be his boss, I don’t even want the ranch for myself. All I need is for it not to be sold to a property development company who will no doubt break the place down and rebuild country holiday homes.
Their plan was t
o sell the idea of a country holiday to city folk to allow them to spend the summer out in there. It sounds like a great idea, but there are empty fields the can develop. Something tells me that there’s more to Mr. Nicholson’s vendetta than meets the eye.
Of course, I haven’t told Clay anything about the paperwork being finalized because I wanted to surprise him. So all he knows is that I’m meeting with my lawyer today to go over a few details. Once I’m out of the meeting, I’ll call him and tell him the good news.
I’ve kept him away from the office, so my soon to be ex-boss doesn’t get a whiff of me trying to help a client. It’s all been done with my parent’s help. They finally came through for me in the end. Allowing me to live my dream, they’ve given me more than they can even imagine.
I don’t forgive them for the past, but perhaps we can look to the future and find a common ground. Life is never easy when it comes to them, even now, as I sit here, the proud owner of a ranch, I’m sure they’ll still find ways of making me feel as if I’ve achieved nothing in my life. As much as they may think they’re right, I know it’s not true.
My heart is finally full of love. There’s an honesty in the new-found family in Wyoming that’s taken me in like I belong. Something I never had with my own blood. “Since we’re all settled, I’ll file these with the bank so they can make the transfer into the mortgage payments. You’ll then be an investor. I’ll have Ena send you copies via email of the contract you’ve signed.” Mr. Porter regards me with a soft stare, his gray eyes pinning me to the spot.
“Have you decided on when you’re leaving?”
“I need to give notice at my job, it’s only a week I’m offering them. Once that’s done, I’ll be packing up and heading out. It gives me enough time to make sure my life here is wrapped up.”
He smiles then, happiness crinkling his eyes. “I’m glad. I’ll call you once the bank is confirmed the payment has been transferred and you can rest easy.”
Dirt Road Promises Page 11
