Chapter Twenty-Seven
Jamie
Jamie had a bad feeling the moment Daddy Spencer said, “I think we should go see Aunt Millie.” His stomach dropped.
He didn’t want to go. He knew she didn’t like him, and he had felt it from the first glance, like she’d already decided he was trouble.
But Daddy Spencer was trying to do the right thing, and Jamie didn’t want to make it harder.
Jamie nodded and followed him out of the barn.
He would spend a lot of time with the horses as he settled in.
Aunt Millie didn’t live far from the barn—just a short walk down a snow-covered road, past the frozen lake and a row of pine trees.
Her home was much smaller, but it was still on the Saddle Creek property.
Jamie stood beside Daddy Spencer on the porch, heart thudding, as Daddy Spencer rang the doorbell.
She answered the door with a frown, as if she’d been expecting bad news.
Her eyes flicked to Jamie, unimpressed, but she stepped aside and let them in.
The warm living room had lace curtains, old furniture, and a fireplace that hadn’t been lit.
Jamie sat beside Daddy Spencer on the worn olive-green corduroy sofa, trying not to shrink into himself.
Daddy Spencer cleared his throat. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry for how things started. Jamie and I got off on the wrong foot with you.”
Aunt Millie sat still on the wooden rocking chair, her eyes unfazed.
Daddy Spencer continued, “Jamie’s my boyfriend. I’ve asked him to move in with me.”
Jamie watched her face closely, hoping for some flicker of change—softness, understanding, even surprise. But there was nothing. Just the same stiff expression.
“I see,” she said. “But I don’t approve of two men being partners, and I especially don’t approve of this little menace.”
Jamie’s chest tightened with anger when she labeled him “this little menace.”
Daddy Spencer squeezed Jamie’s hand, not letting go. Clearly, he was stunned.
She looked at Daddy Spencer, voice steady. “Your grandfather wouldn’t have allowed this living arrangement.” Her expression frightened Jamie as much as her bitter words. He watched Daddy Spencer’s expression become unreadable.
Then she stood, walked over to the desk drawer and pulled out a folded piece of paper. She handed it to Daddy Spencer as if it weighed nothing. But Jamie could feel the heaviness before Daddy Spencer even opened it.
“He told me to give you this if you ever dared to bring a man to the ranch to live with you,” she said, remaining standing in a fixed position.
Jamie sat frozen beside Daddy Spencer as he unfolded the letter and moved closer to Jamie so he could read it with him. His eyes scanned the words, and Jamie could see the color drain from his face.
Spence,
It’s time for you to sell the ranch. There is no way you can live safely and respectfully with your life choices.
I don’t approve of your lifestyle, never had, but you never flaunted it on the ranch or in Missoula.
Keep the Wallace family name respectable.
Your cousin Malcolm Wallace wants to buy Saddle Creek Ranch at a fair price.
Your promise to me is null and void on the day you move a man in as your partner to Saddle Creek Ranch.
I appreciate you keeping your promise to own and run the ranch.
This is for your own good and the Wallace family.
Love,
Grandpa
Jamie felt like someone had punched him in the chest. He wanted to cry for Daddy Spencer. He knew how much he loved his grandfather—how much he’d sacrificed to keep the ranch going. And now this. A rejection wrapped in concern. A legacy turned into a warning.
Daddy Spencer folded the letter slowly, stood up without a word, and took Jamie’s hand. They walked out of Aunt Millie’s house in silence, the cold biting at their cheeks, but neither of them said a thing until they were back home.
Inside, Nathan and Alfie were sitting by the Christmas tree, sipping wine and laughing.
Daddy Spencer paused at the stairs. “I need to be alone for a bit,” he said as he started up the stairs before anyone could say anything.
Jamie nodded. “Okay.”
Nathan looked up, sensing something was off. “Everything alright?”
Jamie sat down beside Alfie, trying to find words. “We went to see Aunt Millie.”
“How did that go?” Nathan asked.
Jamie gave a small, bitter laugh. “Said she didn’t approve of Daddy Spencer’s lifestyle. She called me a menace when she doesn’t even know me.” Jamie fought his tears.
Nathan’s face darkened. “What the fuck! You’re the best thing in Spencer’s life.”
“She gave him a letter from his grandfather.”
“What did it say?” Nathan asked.
“I don’t think I should say anything. That’s for him to share when he’s ready.”
“It couldn’t have been good, then.”
Jamie stared at the tree, blinking back tears. “He said nothing. Just folded the letter, and we left. I think he’s hurting more than he wants to admit.”
Alfie reached over and squeezed Jamie’s hand. “He’ll talk when he’s ready.”
Jamie nodded, but his heart ached. He didn’t know what Daddy Spencer would decide. But he knew one thing for sure—he wasn’t going anywhere. Not unless Daddy Spencer asked him to. And if he did, it would break him.
“Jamie, I’m not sure you’re aware, but Spencer really struggled when he was here,” Nathan said.
“Want some wine?” Alfie asked clearly, trying to make Jamie more comfortable.
Jamie nodded at them both.
Alfie went to the kitchen, the floorboards creaking beneath his feet, and came back with a glass of wine.
“I need to be with Daddy Spencer,” Jamie said.
“I feel the same way. He needs to talk, but I guess he needs to digest what the note said,” Nathan said.
“At least we’re all here for him when and if he wants to talk.”
Jamie’s phone buzzed. He yanked it out of his jeans’ pocket and read the message.
Spencer: Come upstairs. I need you.
“It’s Daddy Spencer. He wants me upstairs.” Jamie raced up the stairs to the bedroom where he found Daddy Spencer lying on the bed.
“Are you okay?” Jamie slipped onto the bed. He rested his head on Daddy Spencer’s chest.
“I don’t know. I don’t think so.”
“Whatever you decide is fine with me.”
“I thought if I kept my promise all was good, but obviously there were strings my grandfather never discussed with me. He must have known what I was doing in California. He knew and said nothing.”
“Just because he knew what you did doesn’t mean he understands. He might have thought you could turn it on and off depending on where you’re living.”
“Jamie, he never approved of me. Why did he give me the ranch? Why?”
“It might have something to do with your parents.”
“I don’t know what to believe or what stories that old man told me all these years were crazy. I was too stupid to find out whether he was lying. Now he wants me to sell it to my cousin.”
“Do you want to do that?”
“I don’t know right now. And I don’t like how Aunt Millie behaved towards you. This is all fucking with my mind.”
“Maybe if you talked to Nathan. He might see something we don’t.”
“Maybe. He wants me out of here for different reasons. But he was right about you. About us.”
“Try not to stress yourself out by adding Nathan to the mix.”
“Whatever happens I want you with me.”
“I’m here, Daddy Spencer. I’m never leaving you.”
“I just need to hold you. Let’s get into bed.”
Jamie shed his clothes and slipped under the covers. Neither was certain of their future living arrangements. Jamie didn’t want to see Aunt Millie but knew he’d have to before all was said and done. And he didn’t want Spencer to have to sell the ranch.