“Yeah, well he’s gonna be gone till Tuesday.”
“Alright. I’ll stop by now. Give me his address.”
He rattles off his address and I thank him before hanging up.
“Come on guys! Let's roll.”
“I had to find my other football.”
“Why do you need two?”
“As a back-up. What if something happens to this one?”
I smack him upside the head, “Dude, we’re only gone until tomorrow night. Not forever.”
“Still.”
“Whatever. Let's go. I have to make a stop somewhere before we get Miranda.”
“Fine. I get shotgun!” He yells and runs to my truck.
“No you don't! I do!” Brianna comes running down the stairs chasing Alex out the door.
Once in the truck, I prepare to ask them about living on the farm. My palms sweat because I don't have a clue what they’re going to say. Will they get angry for suggesting we could live some place else, like maybe near the school? Near the park? Near Miranda? Will they think I'm going against my parents’ wishes? Even though Brianna suggested some of these ideas in her article, she’s never downright said what she’d like.
“Do you guys enjoy living on the farm?”
“Sure.”
“It's okay.”
“Would it bother you to live somewhere else? Maybe in town or something?”
“That'd be cool.”
“I'm fine with that. Don't forget the worms. You told me to remind you to get the worms.”
Crap. I almost forgot. That was easier than I thought. Should I be more forceful? I wasn't sure what else to say necessarily. “So leaving the farm wouldn't bother you guys?”
“You just asked us that! Hey Bri, look there’s that boy you like.”
“We’re just friends.”
“Yeah right.”
I tune them out as I pull up to Hoop’s house. I can't believe they’re acting like it would be no big deal to ever move. It's not like I'm selling the farm but I thought it'd be good to get an idea of what they expected. Clearly it was a bigger deal for me than anyone else.
“I’ll be right back. Shouldn't take long.”
Hoop was standing in his garage next to his Harley. He was a big guy. He wore a black bandana folded up tied around his forehead. His grayish-blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail and I had to admit, he looked pretty formidable. He is decked out in worn-out jeans, a black Harley Davidson shirt with a black leather vest over it. On the vest is stitched a variety of patches. Some were like bumper stickers: ass, grass or gas no one rides for free. And others were merely symbols made of designs and colors that held no meaning to me.
“Mornin’. Gettin’ ready to ride. Goin’ up to the hills for a few days.”
The hills were a few hours from here. A place known for its casinos, bars, and nightclubs. It attracted a lot of bikers because of the fact that Harley manufactured their bikes there and often held bike rallies and concerts in their open amphitheater.
“Yeah, I'm getting ready to go fishing myself. Was wondering if I could pick your brain on a few things?”
“Shoot.”
“Way back when, do you remember anything about my dad or mom?”
“Such as?”
“Do you want to hear the whole story?”
“If you’re looking for info, then yeah.”
I proceed to explain to him the letters and brochures from High Plains, the researching and then about Yates getting money from my dad to buy the pharmacy. I tell him all of my questions about that, how my dad was tight as a drum with money.
“You sure you want to know about the past? You might not like what you find out.”
“That's what my uncle told me. But yeah, because I think there’s an answer in all of that which will help me figure all of this out. You know something. Tell me.”
“You ain't gonna like it.”
“Fucking tell me. Please. I can handle it.”
“Your dad had an affair.”
“With my mom?”
“On your mom,” he clarifies.
On my mom. My dad. An affair?
“Like a full-blown one?”
“Don't know. All I know was Sally came cryin’ to me when he ended it.”
“Sally? As in, Rich’s Sally? The mayor’s wife?”
“One and only.”
“No fucking way. This couldn't have happened.”
“Told ya to leave well enough alone.” He starts to get on his bike.
“Wait up. Why’d Sally come to you?”
“She was my girlfriend. At least she was. I ended it long before this happened. But she had no one to turn to. No one to help her. So she came to me.”
“Whoa. This can't be happening. Do you know about Altitude Energy building a facility on Pepper Ridge?”
“Nope.”
“Do you have any clue why someone would want my shares?”
“Nope. But I’ll find out for ya.” He began to roll his bike back, out of his garage.
“I don't get why would Sally need your help?”
Then it dawned on me and Hoop must have figured out the moment it hit me because all he did was raise his eyebrows and nod his head up into the air before he started his bike and drove off.
I felt sick to my stomach and stood there a moment trying to collect myself and my thoughts before I got back into the truck with Bri and Alex. I could never tell them about my dad. Ever. What had he been thinking? And pregnant? What’d she do with the baby? Then suddenly, I went from feeling sick to running behind Hoop’s garage and puking my guts out. No. It couldn't be true. It couldn't be possible. I didn't want it to be possible, but in my gut, I knew it was true.
I made a mad dash to my truck and hopped in, the kids too busy fucking with their iPads to pay me any attention. Popping a mint into my mouth, I drove to Miranda’s. How could I explain this? That my father had an illegitimate child? Could I even explain that? My mother had gotten over it, but what about everyone else? Maybe no one else really knew except for my parents, my aunt and uncle and then of course, Hoop, Rich and Sally.
How could I tell Miranda? What would she say? She’ll be shocked like me. Beyond shocked. Will she believe me when I tell her? I reminded myself that Hoop had no reason to lie – I went to him. Besides, he wasn't getting a thing out of this. Only helping me because of Cap.
I barely pull into her driveway before I slam the truck in park and am barreling to her door.
“Miranda!”
“In my room,” she yells back.
I stop at the doorway. She is topless. Changing. Fuck.
“I’ll be ready in just a-” she scrambles into her bra. “Ryan, what's wrong? What's going on?”
“I think I know who it is.”
“That's behind High Plains?”
“Yeah. It's got to be Rich.”
“Rich? But why him? You said yourself he’s too arrogant to give up his position if he got caught.”
“I know, but not if it meant getting revenge on someone he hated.”
“You’ve lost me.”
“My dad. He hated my father. It's a huge, long story and we’ve got to leave. Bring your notes. We’re figuring this out tonight once we get to Pine Lake.”
My thoughts are scattered all the fuck over the place. We need her notes. I need her to write this down, categorize it to make sure everything made sense. I was so frantic and in a state of denial as well as shock, I couldn't be sure I was making any sense.
“I’ve already got them. But you’re still not making any sense.”
“I know. Come on.”
“Where did you figure this out? You didn't say anything when I left last night.”
“I didn’t know then. Cap’s uncle Hoop just told me. Trust me, it's enough to make you sick. Literally.” I leave out the part where it did make me sick. I help her get her belongings into my truck bed being careful not to jostle all of the fishing poles. They were old anyway, but did
n't want to make them any worse.
Then I help Miranda into the front seat and we drive. Two hours later we pulled into Pine Lake and checked into our camping room. A tiny bedroom with a double bed, a chair, a table and that was it. I'd rented two obviously but the twins were two cabins down from ours - couldn't have them too close when I fucked my girl like a rabbit.
That afternoon we sat up shop on the banks of the lake and I showed Brianna, Alex and Miranda how to fish. They were all old enough to already have an idea of how to fish and what to do. I mainly had to teach them about different weights, bobbers, and what kinds of bait they could use to catch certain kinds of fish.
“I'm not doing that. You do it. Please.” She pushes the styrofoam cup toward me, “I can hold them, but I can't stab them with a hook. Multiple times!”
I laugh, “It's no big deal. Watch.”
“Poor little worms. Are you okay little guys?” She pouts.
“Miranda,” I say exasperated. “You’re worried about stabbing him, but what do you thinks going to happen to him once you catch a fish?”
She raises her cute little eyebrows at me, “Good point.” And from then on, she hooks her own worms. I watch her intently as she does it many times. She’s game. She’s gorgeous. She’s pulled her hair back through one of my baseball caps and is wearing short shorts that expose every inch of her nicely toned legs. She impresses me with how she plows through life. How she just dives in and grabs the bull by the horns. Shovels through the shit.
Once everyone is exhausted and hungry, we pack up our stuff and grab dinner at one of the local dives near the lake. I’ve missed this place. I’ve put it out of my memory for so long that I forgot how great and relaxed it made me feel, despite the heavy load of crap Hoop poured on me. I loved spending time with Miranda and I loved how the kids treated her. I loved how she’d kept my hat on, not worrying about how she looked. Once we’d all made it back to our cabins, I was anxious to talk about all this shit going on inside me.
“Oh no! I forgot I have ingredients to make s’mores!”
I laugh. This doesn't surprise me. Not that she forgot she had them, but that she brought them along.
“What? It's a camping essential, isn't it? Come on. We’ve got to get the kids.”
“Wait! One thing.”
“What?”
“This.” I kiss her hard because she’s got me on fire. I’ve been waiting all day to get her into bed and I was so close but I can't say no to her. My cock is hard, aching to be inside of her and she’s grinding into me like she wants it too.
Then before I know it, she’s pulling me out the door. We gather up the much-too excited twins and in minutes are along the shoreline finding a fire pit to have s’mores. Once lit, we settle onto the log benches cut for two and make our treats. Her youthful personality, her endlessly positive outlook on life continues to amaze me. The fire lights up her smiling face as she cracks jokes with the kids. All of us laughing harder than we ever have together. She’s a ray of sunshine for all of us. Even Alex is smitten with her and even though the moment is basically perfect, I hate knowing what I know about my dad. I vow then and there that Brianna and Alex will never know this bit of information.
But I need to tell Miranda.
I have to tell her that Jean Yates is my father’s bastard fucking son.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Miranda
I can see he is anxious to get back to the cabin to tell me what he’s learned about Rich. I am too but I’ve managed to put it to the back of my mind because today has been so amazing. Plus, with the kids around non-stop, it’s been difficult to discuss anything. After making our last round of s’mores and the fire has been put out, I feign sleepiness and ask Ryan to come back to the cabin with me.
We bid goodnight to the twins and once inside our tiny little cabin – like, it's just a bed no other space, do I grab my notebook and sit.
“Okay, lay it on me.”
“My dad slept with Sally Stevens.”
“Seriously?”
“Yup. That's why Rich makes sense. My dad gave Yates money for the pharmacy to beat out Rich because they hate each other.”
“But I'm missing the connection. Your dad gave a random man ten grand to get back at Rich?”
“Not so random, actually. You’re really not going to like this.”
At his words my stomach drops. The way he says this, like a warning, I almost don't want to know but I have to know. “What?”
“Turns out she got pregnant and if my suspicions are correct, had a baby. Jean Yates.”
I drop my pen, “What?”
“It has to be. That would explain why he gave Jean the money back then.”
“I hate that guy and you’re telling me you’re related? No way.”
“I'm telling you, my dad didn't give anyone money. It's not who he was so there was a huge vendetta going on and that pissed Rich off. Which I bet, is why years later he’s trying to fuck me out of three million dollars.”
I mull this over, taking notes. It all makes sense. “But why didn't Sally keep the baby? I mean, I know Jean’s mom. She’s the bingo lady, remember?”
“Yeah, the one who always smells like garlic? I don't know. Scandal maybe? I’d like to punch that motherfucking mayor right now.”
I roll my eyes. “We have to confirm this somehow.”
“Talked to Hoop. He was there. He dated Sally and he was the one to help her out.”
“I can't believe you had the guts to go talk to that guy.”
“He’s harmless.”
“Maybe to you. He’s awfully scary to everyone else.”
“But you have to swear you will never tell a soul. They kept it a secret and that's how I want it to stay.”
“What about the twins?”
“To no one, Miranda.”
Okay, okay. I don't answer because I don't agree with this decision but he also knows it's not my decision to make and knows I’ll do as he asks.
“So now what? Rich is behind High Plains. He wants to screw you out of the water stocks. Why?”
“Don't know. Don't care. But I’m resigning from the city council because I’m not going to be able to stand him.”
“Don't do that! He’s the one that needs to quit. Not you! Oh Ryan, I can't believe Yates is your brother. How long were they together? They could have just kept him, right?” I see his chest deflate as he looks away from me.
“They couldn't. He was married to my mom,” he says quietly. This makes me understand now. Why he doesn't want to tell anyone. He’s protecting their memory and it rips my heart out that he has to bear this burden. It makes me love him more, too. I crawl from the edge of the bed and into his arms. He rests his head on my chest and I hold him, cry for him as he finds solace in me. It's only when I move to lie in bed with him do I see the small amount of wetness on my shirt and realize I wasn't crying alone.
The next day we do more fishing and swimming, but the time goes by too quickly. Before I know it, Ryan is hollering at everyone to clean up and pack ‘cause it's time to go.
He drops me off at home, walking me to the door. He kisses me goodbye on my porch step in front of the world to see and it quickly turns into heated kisses. Kisses that always lead to something else. I laugh and push him away, sad to see him go.
It's not a big surprise that it's Rich who is behind this whole High Plains company. Now that I know the story about Ryan’s parents, it makes much more sense. I didn't get the impression Sally had been with Rich at the time though so I guess Rich and Ryan’s dad clearly had problems with each other from the get-go. Giving Yates the money was twofold for him clearly – helping his long lost son and getting one up on Rich. Rich’s sick and twisted payback was to try and get those stock certificates from Ryan long after his parents were gone. One final act of revenge against Ryan’s dad.
All of this work and it dwindled down to this. What could we really do about High Plains anyway? Nothing if we didn't have substanti
al evidence to back up our claims of the corporation being a complete fake. It occurred to me that the company could be real. What was wrong with buying low and selling high? Wasn't that the American way? Was there any difference between what Rich was doing to what people did in the stock market? Granted, his front about “making the Earth a better place” by cleaning the water was a fake, but I wasn't sure how fraudulent that might be in the eyes of the law.
By the time I'm back to work, I have more than enough work to carry me through most of the week. There’s a public meeting tonight to hire a new town manager and of course, I’ll be there. It will be a big issue for Lone Star and they’ve been pretty quiet about who the applicants are and who they’re leaning toward. I don't want to go, but I need to. Whoever they pick will be news.
The community center isn't very packed. Not like it was the night Jean tried attacking me. The people present are mostly older folks, business owners and school teachers. I find a seat and wait for it to begin, grateful I’ve convinced Ryan to stay on as a council member. At least for now until I could produce documentation that Rich was the owner of High Plains. I know it wasn't easy for him to pretend that all was right, but until we had that, we had nothing.
He took my breath away as he walked out of the back meeting room. He wore his usual denim jeans and a green button-down shirt. The second he caught my eye, he winked. Instantly, the pull in my pussy had me squeezing my legs together and he ever so casually raised his eyebrows giving me that sexy half-grin I love. It made me wetter knowing he knew what I was feeling.
Once it began, they went over a few items on the agenda which from my standpoint were boring and basic but I took notes anyway so I could publish it along with who they would vote on to hire. After what felt like forever, it finally got down to the applicants, one of which was Jean Yates. Please, like he would ever get the job. Especially because they’d just fired his brother. There were a few other applicants they named off and then the official voting began.
They’d done two applicants so far and had a 3-2 vote for each. Three voting in favor. When it was Yates’ application, I watched their faces trying to decipher which way they might go and nearly fell off my seat when every single council member voted in favor to hire him as the town manager. What. The. Fuck.
Wet: A Small Town Romance (Love in Lone Star Book 1) Page 17
