Chapter 3
Chapter Three
KADE
“Are you sure you can manage everything while I’m gone?” I ask, not for the first time.
“Jake is here should anything come up that we need, but it’s not like you won’t be conferencing in on the calls,” Kelly says.
“I don’t like being gone in the middle of a merger.”
“We’re in the homestretch. It’ll be fine. Besides, Raven is already looking ahead and buying stock in the Seattle women’s soccer team. You’ll have something else to worry about soon.”
“Of course she is.” I laugh. “Call me if you need anything.”
“I will. Were you able to pick up the rental?” she asks.
“Headed there now. Thanks for your help with all of this.”
“No problem. Call if you need me.”
She ends the call and I stuff my phone into my pocket.
My feet take me on the well-known path to the rental car counter. Fake trees and stuffed bears recreate the wildlife you can see in town with portraits of Pinecrest lining the walls. Walking through the airport always feels like I am in a museum.
I never thought I’d be back here so soon after my last visit. When I come to town, it’s to see my mom and sister, with the occasional trip to see Verne. That’s it. Anything else, and I was at risk of seeing her.
I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but I don’t want to see her. I haven’t seen her since that night, and I don’t plan on starting now. Nerves settle low in my gut at the thought.
I get my SUV from the rental place without issue and head out into the clean, fresh, Montana air. This is one of the things I always miss about being here.
The air.
The cool, crisp fall breeze helps to soothe the uneasy feeling growing inside me.
Getting into the white SUV, I head toward my mom’s place. I’ve made this drive hundreds of times. The mountains and pine trees that line the highway welcome me back. I roll the windows down, letting in the wind.
Damn, does it ever feel good.
Thankfully, I don’t have to drive through town to get to Mom’s place. With her living on the outskirts, I turn the vehicle down the familiar road. A few people are out on their porches, and it’s not a surprise to see my mom waiting for me on her wraparound.
She stands, waving as I pull in.
“Hey, Mom.”
“There’s my baby boy.” She holds her arms out wide for me. Stepping into them, I wrap her in a hug. She smells the same. That clean, laundry scent. “How was your trip?”
I look down at her warm, brown eyes. The same eyes that I have. More gray seems to pepper her short brown bob.
“Fine.”
“No trouble?”
“None.”
“Your—”
“Hey, Kade!” Grace comes bursting out of the front door.
“Hey, sis.”
I pull her in for a hug.
“I didn’t think you’d be here for a while longer,” she says. “I was planning on going out.”
Grace is the spitting image of Mom, including her brown hair and her brown eyes. Hell, we both are.
“Not tonight,” Mom chides her. “I have dinner in the crock pot. I figure a good home-cooked meal is exactly what you need.”
Stepping inside, the smell of my favorite Mexican casserole greets me. “Oh, man, that smells great, Mom.”
She pats me on the stomach as she walks by. “You’re too skinny. Are you eating enough out there?”
“Mom,” I groan.
“What? I’m allowed to worry. You’re my baby boy and you live so far away.”
Grace grabs a chip from the bowl resting on the counter and pops it into her mouth. “You’d worry if he lived here.”
“At least I can look after you now.”
“What do you mean?” I shoot my gaze over to my sister.
“She moved back in after that Kevin dumped her,” Mom answers.
“Why did I not hear about this?” I growl.
“Because you never pick up the phone,” Grace says.
Heading to the fridge, I grab a beer and crack it open. “I’m busy.”
“Too busy for your family?” Mom quirks a brow at me.
“Never.”
“Yeah, yeah. At least you’re home now,” Grace says.
“For how long?” Mom grabs the plates and starts scooping out a heaping portion of dinner for me.
“Unknown,” I answer honestly.
“How do you not know?” Grace asks. “Grab me a beer, will ya?”
I nod, grabbing her a drink and taking a seat next to her at the counter.
“It could be a couple of weeks or maybe longer. It just depends on how much work the place needs.”
“Do you plan on keeping the ranch?” Mom asks, wiping her hands on a towel and grabbing her own drink.
“What’s with all the questions?”
“A mother has to know what is going on with her son.”
I snort a laugh before taking a too-hot bite of dinner. So fucking good.
“You know what’s going on with me. Busy with work in Seattle and now, owner of The Lost Spur.”
“I still can’t believe Verne left you the ranch.” Grace whistles.
“You and me both.”
It’s a thought I keep coming back to over the last few days. Trying to get everything sorted out back home before coming here, it was hard to stay focused.
I don’t know who is running the ranch now, but wouldn’t Verne’s right-hand man be better than me, someone who hasn’t worked outside in years? I’m more comfortable behind a desk and computer than on a horse.
“Verne always liked you,” Mom tells me. “Why wouldn’t he leave it to you?”
“Liking someone and leaving them your entire life are two completely different things.”
“Well, maybe you’ll find out some more information once you sign the paperwork with the lawyers.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
“Are you going to see anyone while you’re here?” Mom asks.
“Besides you two? Who else would I need to see?”
I dig in to my dinner, trying not to worry about how long I’ll be here and who I might see. I don’t need to worry about that if I keep to the ranch. That should be my only priority while I’m here.
That and making sure my deals back home don’t completely fall through.
Kelly is perfectly capable of handling things on my behalf while I work remotely, but I don’t want to settle into that pattern here.
I have zero clue what I’m in for when I see the ranch.
“Do you want us to go with you?” Mom asks.
“To meet with the lawyer? No, I’m good.”
“I meant the ranch. You know, now that I’m retired, I can help out.” She waggles her brows at me. “I watch those design shows. I can help you.”
Looking around her house, I know she’s done a lot of work to fix things up.
This place wasn’t always the greatest growing up, but it was home. Once I started making good money, I sent money home for Mom. It’s nice to see that she’s been able to work on this place.
New wallpaper and light fixtures. New appliances in the kitchen. It’s simple things, but it really looks great.
“Maybe I could use you.”
She beams. “I could be your project manager.”
“I think that’s my job, Mom.” I laugh.
“I’m here if you need help.”
“Thanks.”
“Your sister too.”
That earns her a laugh. “I wouldn’t trust her with a paintbrush.”
“Dick,” she calls out.
“What? You know you painted half of the ceiling because you weren’t being careful in high school.”
“At least I fixed it now.” She points a finger in my face.
“Still. I don’t know if I need your help.” I smirk at her. “We’ll see what I’m getting myself into once I get out there.”
I’m only hoping I’m not biting off more than I can chew.
Life for me is back in Seattle. It’s not in Pinecrest. I’m hoping for a quick transaction and then leaving town.
That’s my plan.
I only hope I can stick to it.