Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
Brody stared unbelievingly at the man standing in front of a truck, in tan camouflage with short-cropped brown hair and no hat, before he let Cami loose. “Jackson!” With relief plowing through him, he strode past Tanner and gave Jackson a hug, a little taken aback by how stiff his brother was. Cami ran around them both. “Cami. Sit.”
Jackson looked past him and pointed. “What the fuck is she doing here?”
Not a little shocked by his brother’s language in front of Hannah, Brody stepped back. “You better watch it, Jackson. That’s Tanner’s wife.”
Jackson let out a slew of expletives under his breath that didn’t bear repeating.
Tanner walked over. “It’s a long story, but suffice it to say that what we thought about Handy Mandy was wrong. She saved Dad.”
Jackson’s dark brows lowered ominously. “What happened to Dad?”
“I’m right here.” Dad rolled himself over from the bottom of the ramp they’d put in. “No need to talk about me when I’m sitting right here.”
“Dad?” Jackson stared, his mouth slightly open, a small tick under his right eye noticeable.
That was new. Maybe it was the stress of war and would fade after Jackson was home awhile.
“Can you give an old man a hug?”
At his father’s words, Jackson appeared to snap out of it and bent to give Dad a hug, but like with him, it seemed stiff. “What happened?”
Dad shrugged. “Had a stroke out on the west line. It was bad. But Amanda here is getting me back into shape.”
At the mention of Amanda, Brody noticed both women hanging back. He was having none of that. Striding back to Hannah, he took her hand and brought her forward. “This is my girl, Hannah Kingsley.”
Jackson looked at Hannah, but didn’t seem to really see her.
She smiled tentatively, her hand reaching down to touch Cami who sat next to her. “It’s nice to meet you.”
His brother gave a short nod before turning his gaze back to Mandy, who strode up.
“I’m very relieved you’re home safe.”
Brody felt for Jackson. A lot had happened in the year-and-a-half he’d been deployed in Syria, or wherever the government had actually sent him. It was a lot to take in.
Hannah gripped his hand, obviously aware of the tension, but she couldn’t begin to understand it all. Then she cocked her head. “Is that a baby crying?”
“Oh, crap.” Jackson spun on his heel and headed for the truck, then stopped and turned back to them all. “Literally. She’s a pooping machine.”
Brody looked at Tanner, who shook his head. A baby? What the heck was Jackson doing with a baby?
His brother stepped away from the truck with a baby in a car seat, one of those ones that hooked into another piece. The baby stopped crying at the movement. Jackson strode forward, his jaw filled with tension. “This is my daughter, Tabitha.”
Brody liked other people’s children, but didn’t see himself having any. But if he did, his gut told him he would never present his child like Jackson was, holding the baby in the seat like she was week-old gym clothes that hadn’t been washed. The child was tiny. Then again, anything would look tiny next to Jackson. He was taller than Tanner and broader than Brody was.
Dad recovered first, rolling his wheelchair closer to take a look. “Hah. I should have known Jackson would be the first to give me a grandchild. Well done, son. Where’s her mom?”
“Dead.”
The word was stated with no emotion whatsoever, sending a chill through them all, if the silence was any indication.
Hannah’s free hand came up to her chest.
He understood. She’d lost her mom at about the same age.
This time it was Mandy who came to their rescue. “It sounds like you have a lot to share with us. Why don’t we go inside. Has Tabitha been fed?”
Jackson shook his head.
“Then Tanner, why don’t you and Brody help Jackson with his belongings. Jackson, I’m sure you’re tired after traveling with your daughter. If you can set her on the island in the kitchen, I can see about getting her some food. Did you bring any formula?”
Jackson nodded, obviously still unsure what to do around Mandy.
Letting go of Hannah’s hand, Brody walked over and patted Jackson on the shoulder. “Go ahead. She won’t bite.”
Jackson grumbled under his breath. “That makes one female.” But he did finally move toward the house.
Tanner headed for Jackson’s truck.
“Brody, I think I should go.”
At Hannah’s statement, he pulled her into his arms, her light floral scent enveloping him. “I don’t want you to.”
“That makes me feel good. Thank you for saying so, but I think your brother needs his family right now. Maybe you could come over to my place for dinner tomorrow night. It seems only fair that I reciprocate.”
“I would like that.”
She smiled at him, that open, caring smile that made him feel like everything was right with the world. “Excellent.” Her smile faltered and her gaze shifted to the house behind him. “I hope your brother is okay.”
“Jackson? He’s okay. He’s always okay. He’s as tough as the boulders that roll down the Four Peaks.”
She didn’t look convinced. “Boulders like him then find themselves out of place, and as we both know, they can break in two, or a million pieces.”
Her words struck a pocket of uncertainty inside him. It was an uncomfortable feeling that Jackson wasn’t the person he’d grown up with anymore. “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re incredibly observant?”
“Why yes. I believe you have.”
He gave her a soft smile. “See, I knew I was smart.”
She batted his shoulder with her hand as she stepped out of his embrace. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Brody, I’m going to need your help.” Tanner punctuated his statement by slamming one truck door and opening another.
“Go.” She gave him a little push before turning to walk to her Jeep.
Her hips swayed with her natural gait, but in the skirt, it had him mesmerized.
“Brody.”
He turned at Tanner’s command. “I’m coming.”
Tanner stood next to the truck with a tan duffle bag the size of a calf on his shoulder, and it looked about as heavy. “There’s a diaper bag and cases of formula in there.”
Brody walked past his brother and peered inside. “Cases? It looks like he bought out the whole damn store. No wonder his daughter poops so much. Is that healthy?” He slung the diaper bag over his shoulder and grabbed three cases of formula.
“Hell if I know. We’ll have to make a second trip.”
They walked back into the house in silence. Tanner dropped the duffle bag on the floor in the family area, and Brody set the formula on the kitchen counter.
Mandy immediately took the diaper bag from his shoulder. “We’ll get this little one some supper.”
As he and Tanner walked out, Brody noticed that Jackson watched every move Mandy made. He felt for his brother. To have his newborn daughter being cared for by someone he thought their worst enemy had to be hard to process.
Once outside, he couldn’t keep silent. “He’s changed.”
“Yeah, I know. I expected it the first time he was deployed, but when he came back twice the same wiseass we always knew, I didn’t worry about it this time. Looks like I should have.”
“Mom always said worrying doesn’t accomplish anything. But a kid?” He was still trying to understand that Jackson was a father. It was the last thing his brother had ever wanted.
Tanner pulled out four more cases of formula. “Maybe being back here will help him. We can put him back out with the cattle. It may make him feel like himself again.”
Brody pulled out the last four cases, ignoring the additional packs of diapers, and hip-checked the door closed. “I hope so.” Even as he said the words, the concept that Jackson was really home sank in. If Jackson was home and back out on the range, then maybe, just maybe, Dad would release him from his promise and he wouldn’t have to sweat attending the academy in a couple of months.
The thought had his spirits rising, and with them, the realization of what Jackson’s daughter meant to them.
Tanner set his cases down on the nearby bench on the porch to open the door.
Brody stopped to hold it open while Tanner lifted his load again. He grinned at Tanner. “You know, this means we’re uncles now.”
“Hell, you’re right.” Tanner broke into a wide smile. “And maybe Dad will stop pressuring Amanda and me about having a kid.”
As Brody followed Tanner in, he shook his head. “Don’t bet on it.”
Tanner set the cases down in the family area and Brody piled his on top. He’d have to rearrange the kitchen to accommodate the new addition to the family. The broom closet no longer housed brooms, so if he cleared out the junk in there, he could add some shelves and make it Tabitha’s closet.
Mandy had the baby feeding from a bottle while Jackson looked on. It was obvious he wasn’t happy with the arrangement, but he didn’t move forward to intervene either. Brody found the whole situation odd.
Out of the blue, Jackson turned to Dad. “Is my old room still mine, or has that changed, too?”
Brody didn’t like his brother’s tone and opened his mouth to tell him so, but Dad answered first. “Yes. Your room is exactly as you left it.”
Jackson didn’t acknowledge the statement. “I’ve got more stuff in the pickup bed. I only need one thing tonight, and that’s the playpen so she has a safe place to sleep.”
Brody found the phrasing odd.
“I’ll find it and Brody can set it up.” Tanner strode outside once again.
Taking the opportunity to leave the awkward silence of the room, Brody walked down the hall to Jackson’s room to make room for a playpen. The door to his brother’s room was always open and it was included in the vacuuming, but he’d never thought about it in terms of a nursery. It was beyond ironic that Jackson would be having a baby sleeping in his room.
Brody eyed the space. Depending on the size of the playpen, there’d be no problem fitting it in any number of places. Jackson had always been the neat brother, everything in its place.
“Here it is.” Tanner strode in. “You lucked out. It looks like it folds out.”
Brody took the contraption and unfolded it on the side of the bed against the wall. There were small locks that had to be flipped to keep it in place. “Shouldn’t she be in a crib?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he has one of those in the back of his truck as well.”
“Good point.” They stood staring at the pink-and-purple playpen next to the bed, with the cornflower-blue blanket and dark walnut headboard. To say it looked out of place would be an understatement.
“I better get back out there. I don’t want Jackson saying anything nasty to my wife.”
Brody nodded. “It’s weird you are thinking that, but I agree.”
After Tanner left, Brody remained where he was. He’d never wanted children, preferring to hand them back over to their parents when they got cranky. Did Hannah want children? The answer came immediately. Yes. And she would make a great mother.
He shook his head. What was he thinking? It’s not like he and Hannah would be together forever…or was it? No, it couldn’t work. He had a career to pursue and once she sold her land, she could go wherever she wanted.
But then she could go with him.
He tried to brush away the thought. He really liked Hannah. He could even see a long-term relationship with her, but marriage was not on the table. Comfortable with his decision, he left Jackson’s room to see how things were progressing in the kitchen. At least his life was much less complicated than his brother’s.
Jackson was a father. He shook his head. That was an even a bigger surprise than his brother marrying a Hayden. He was quite content that his life had no such drama.
Brody strode toward the house whistling. He couldn’t help it after spending the night with Hannah. Plus, after a week, Jackson had finally been convinced to leave Tabitha with Isaac, who was Dad’s CNA, a few days a week. It turned out the big guy loved babies, and boasted seven nieces and nephews.
Mandy had offered, but that had gone nowhere. As far as he was concerned, how Jackson dealt with Amanda was between Tanner and Jackson. The important part was Jackson was back out with the cattle, which meant Brody wasn’t needed anymore.
Brody opened the front door and stepped inside. The temperature difference was much less, now that autumn had truly come to the valley. After dropping his hat on the side table near the door, he ignored the kitchen, where he would be making lunch, and strode down the hall to his dad’s office.
The fact that his father was able to do some computer work now had made him a much happier person. Mandy said it was because he felt productive and like he was contributing to the ranch again. So this was the perfect time to talk to Dad about leaving the ranch.
The door to the office was open and he stepped inside to find his father pulled up to the computer. “How’s it going in here?”
His father didn’t look up. “It’s a trainwreck.”
Surprised his father even knew that expression, he walked around the desk to see what the problem was. As the youngest son, he was usually the one everyone came to when having computer problems. “What’s wrong?”
“The damn numbers are adding up wrong. It’s not balancing.”
Brody grimaced. If it was a computer user problem or a writing problem, he was the man for the job, but he and numbers didn’t get along at all. “I know someone who could help you with that.”
His father finally looked at him. “Who?”
“Hannah. She’s some kind of financial wizard. I bet she could make everything come out smelling like roses.”
“Son, it’s a balance sheet, not a garden.” His dad looked at the clock on the wall, one of those old-fashioned ones with big numbers and hands that his father swore was the only reliable type. “It’s not lunch time yet. Why are you here?”
Brody set his hip on the corner of the desk. “I wanted to see how you’re doing.”
“Bullshit. Out with it, son. I have numbers to force into place.”
He chuckled. Sometimes it was nice to be known so well. “Okay then. With Jackson home now and the two new ranch hands working out so well, I’d like to be released from my promise to help with the ranch. The Game and Fish department has accepted me for their next training.”
“No.” His father turned back to the computer.
Stunned, he stared at his father in disbelief. “No? Why not? You have plenty of help now, and even you are working again. You don’t need me anymore.”
His father spoke to the computer. “A promise is a promise.”
He stood and set both hands down on the desk. “I know that. It’s been drilled into me since I could walk. But you can release me from my promise, so I can finally be free to pursue my dreams instead of yours.”
That got his father’s attention. Rolling the wheelchair back, his father faced him fully. “I told you I’d release you from your promise if you got the Harpers to sell. But you aren’t doing that are you? No, you’re too busy dating the owner of the property to talk her into selling. That tells me she’s more important than pursuing your so-called career.”
His father’s emphasis on the last two words had him gritting his teeth. He forced himself to keep his cool. “The extra land is a moot point now, since you have moved forward with your dude ranch. It appears that’s more important than remaining a cattle ranch. Therefore, buying her property is no longer important.” He almost added ‘like me,’ but held back.
“One has nothing to do with the other. I told you once we have the land you could leave. You’d think I was torturing you or something. You should be happy you have a ranch to call home. We could still lose it if the dude ranch isn’t successful. I’d think you’d want to be here to help out.”
That was it. He was done sacrificing his life for the ranch. Tanner loved the place and would inherit it one day. Jackson got to pursue his military career. As the youngest, he’d been the only one forced to sacrifice for the family, and he was done. “Then if you won’t release me from my promise, I’m going to have to break it.”
His father’s eyes rounded and his face turned red. “You can’t.”
“I can. Mom told me long ago that I was different. That I should pursue my dreams no matter what you wanted, and I plan to follow her council. At least she was one person in this family who gave a shit about what I thought.”
“Don’t you dare bring your mother into this!” His father’s yell reverberated through the room.
“Why? Because you’re the only one who’s allowed to talk about her? She was my mother and I’ll bring her into this if I want. Out of respect for you, I’ve stayed, but for the love I’ll always have for her, I’m leaving, just like Jackson did. If you could let him leave you when you didn’t have enough help, you can let me go when you do. It’s not like you even need me around. You have Tanner and Layne backs him up. What do you need me for?”
“You…made…a promise.” His dad’s words were ground out between his teeth.
“Yeah. That was my first mistake. I see no reason to compound it by keeping it.” He turned on his heel and headed for the door.
“You break your promise, you won’t be welcome in this house ever again.”
He halted in the doorway and turned to look at his father. “Why would I want to come back?”
His father’s mouth opened, but nothing came out.
Brody strode out the door, only to find Mandy and Isaac waiting for him in the kitchen.
“What happened? We could hear the yelling from outside.” Mandy gave him an accusatory look.
“That would be him.” He hooked his finger over his shoulder. “I’m going for a ride—alone.”
Mandy’s eyes widened, as the rule was no one was to wander the ranch alone since his father’s stroke. “What about lunch? It’s your day for meals.”
“I quit.” He strode through the entryway and grabbed his hat on his way out, not caring if anyone ate. His own stomach was so tense he’d be sick if he even smelled food.
He let the door slam behind him as he headed for the stable. Unlooping the reins from the hook, he walked his horse outside and mounted. “Okay, boy. We’re living up to your name today. Let’s go wherever you want.” He clicked his tongue and Chaos headed for the mountains, which was just fine with him.