4. Chapter 4
Chapter four
Ivy
Twenty minutes later I’m dressed and glaring at Cooper from the front porch of the cabin.
“Really Cooper? You failed to mention you don’t even live here anymore.”
He shrugs. “Sorry, I forgot. What happened?”
“I’d rather not relive it,” I hiss as I move down the stairs, falling in line with him.
I forgot how alive this place looks in the early mornings. The sounds of the birds. The colors of the sky when the sun rises just above the ridges. The continuous rustling of the animals at the barn. Which thank the Lord, is still standing. It’s weird how you take it for granted. The simple things. Angry car horns during rush hour have been the only serenade I’ve been privy to for the last few years. Not the songs of nature.
With smooth steps I follow Cooper out past the old horse barn. This ranch is over ten thousand acres, and I hadn’t seen anything remotely this breath taking in my time in Georgia. I don’t think I ever will.
But as we walk, I begin to see the remnants of what was previously prime pastureland, and the charred wood of what use to be a happy home.
“Well. Go ahead.” I gesture my hand, waiting for the lecture deep down I know I deserve. “Tell me how pissed you are.”
Cooper pulls out a toothpick and shoves it in his mouth. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m mad as fuck that you’ve not even bothered to show your face in four years, but I’m glad to see you.”
Cooper and I always had a special relationship. He had that energy about him. He was a natural peace maker. He wasn’t your stereotypical middle child. He was the life of the party, but he also had a soft side only a few got to see.
“I know y’all are angry. I didn’t visit,” I admit.
“Visit?” He scoffs. “You fell off the face of the earth, Ivy.”
I close my eyes.
“I know you had dreams to chase. Hell, I encouraged it. I just always thought you’d come back.” His eyes soften as he approaches the fence line, completely ignoring the house.
This pasture, which is no longer a beautiful green, but a black pit, borders my favorite wildflower field and I feel that heavy weight in my chest return. I know what’s next to that field. And another wave of emotion hits because the fire didn’t touch it.
“Well. I’m here,” I say simply as we stare out among the fields that still harbor a visible layer of smoke.
“How long did it take them?” I ask.
“Right before we left to come home, chief called and said they had it contained and mostly out. They had been working on it for over twenty-four hours.”
“How many acres?” I keep my eyes trained on the open range.
“About three thousand. Give or take.” He lifts a shoulder. “Some cattle got swept up in it. The hay is gone.”
Damn. That’s a big hit.
“It’s bad, isn’t it?” I whisper.
He lets out a breath. “Yeah. It’s bad.”
He rests a forearm along the pipe railing. “You really like the city?” His question throws me, but I’m assuming a subject change is what he needs. This land is Cooper’s baby, and it's obvious he's struggling.
I let out a breath, letting my eyes drift over the field of flowers.
“It has its perks,” I answer.
I watch him search my face. “Come on, Ivy it’s me.”
I snort a laugh. “It’s not this hot for one.”
We both stare out into the untouched pasture, watching the yellows and pinks sway with the light breeze. A decent breeze is a rare occasion in this part of Texas.
He doesn’t ask me anymore questions or hammer me about why I never visited. We just simply stand there, trying to grasp onto whatever this means for our family.
“You call Kota?” He asks.
“I sent her a text. I wasn’t sure if she was here or not.”
He nods. “Yeah. Her trailer is parked out by the arena.”
I lean my head down on his shoulder. “Thanks Coop.” I feel his head rest against mine. “And I’m sorry I left you,” I admit.
“I know. I forgave you a long time ago.” He brings up his palm to squeeze my shoulder. “But right now, we need you.”
I nod, knowing that this isn’t something I can just run away from. Not this time. His phone pings, and I wrap my arms around my middle.
“Ryder needs me. We have to shift the herd around. Give me a couple of hours and I can take you to town to see dad.”
“That’s fine.” I tilt my head. “I thought I’d pay Sugarfoot a visit.”
Cooper leans over, dropping a kiss on the top of my head. “She’d like that.”
Sliding on his sunglasses, he veers off to the left of the barn toward the main office, while I turn in the opposite direction, heading to the horses. It was my favorite place on the property. Well, it used to be before tainted memories filled the space. But I could ignore those. I had been for years , and I could really use some equine soothing in this moment.
Stepping inside the freshly remodeled barn, I pass two empty stalls, ignoring the room to my right until I come to the one that I’ve visited more times than I can count.
“Hey sweet girl,” I coo as I peer over at Sugarfoot.
Her long dark mane looks smooth and shiny, like it’s been brushed daily. She appears happy and healthy and that’s all I could ask for. Tears prick my eyes over the fact I haven’t been the one to do it. I abandoned her too.
I reach my hand out to press my palm against her neck, slowly running it up and down as her big brown eyes catch on mine.
“It’s been a while,” I whisper. “I’m sorry.”
An unexpected wave of fresh goose bumps dance over my skin, and I already know without having to look who just walked into this barn.