Chapter 18
Eighteen
T he office at Red River Ranch was an absolute mess. It had been over a year since their large barn burned down, and construction on the new building had been completed over the summer. The new structure was absolutely stunning, and Abby knew that her brother had seen to every detail being done with exacting precision. So why the hell did it look like a tornado went through the office? Boxes of medications for the cattle were being stored next to a couch with invoice receipts and the random marketing fliers she’d worked on in college.
“Sam, why haven’t you hired a new office manager yet? This place is a mess.” If high cholesterol and stress hadn’t taken him out, her father surely would have had a heart attack if he could see the current state of the office. Sam was in over his head, and she felt terrible she hadn’t truly seen it until right then.
“You see people chomping at the bit to come out to a sleepy little town and live on a cattle ranch?”
“Yeah, I imagine there are people out there who would want to do it. Start posting online. There have to be forums for this type of stuff. I’m sure there will be someone out there who will want to.”
“Eh. We’re doing okay just how we are.”
She shook her head and sighed. “You’re going to end up just like him, Sam. Except you’ll never have a wife, you’ll never get to be a dad yourself. I know it’s got to be killing you. All your friends are getting married. Having babies. You’d be the best dad ever and you’re too focused on the ranch to see that it’s all slipping by right now.”
“I do want that, Abs. But who the hell is going to keep Dad’s legacy going?”
“You didn’t even want this, Sam! You know how much it kills me that I watched my brother grow up always talking about how he was going to be a Texas Ranger? Protect people. Serve the community. And you never got the chance, because dad wrote some stupid shit in his will about you taking over and being the one to carry on the Red River Ranch tradition. It’s bullshit.”
“I can’t let him down. His memory, this legacy. It’s important to Mom.”
“Then let her be the one to carry all this on for a while. I’d love to see her try for one day. Because this isn’t what she loves. She loves the memory of Dad, but maybe it’s time to let it go.”
“No. It’s not. I’m not ready to throw in the towel.”
“Then you need some help out here.”
“Don’t you think I’d love some help? I can barely afford to pay Derrick and Zeke their paychecks at the end of the week. We’re not rolling in cash here. I’ll be surprised if we even make it to next year without having to file for bankruptcy or shut the ranch down all together.” Sam pressed his hand into his chest, and panic pierced Abby’s stomach.
“What’s wrong? Do you need to sit down?”
“Just some acid reflux. I need a damn antacid. You’re pissing me off.”
She felt the color draining from her face. “Dad used to say that, Sam.”
His head snapped up, and although his hand kept rubbing his chest, he gave her a soft smile.
“I’m perfectly fine. A little stressed, sure. But I’m fine.”
“When was the last time you were at the doctor’s?”
“Abby.”
“Sam, I’m so freaking serious right now. You better make an appointment for some time this week, or I am going to be out here everyday after work hounding you until you do.”
“I seem to remember you reminding me that I wasn’t your father or husband. Looks like you could use the same reminder.”
“You’re never going to get to have a wife if something is wrong with your heart and you ignore it until you fall over dead like dad.” Her voice hitched and she felt the burn of tears trying to make their way to the surface. “Please. I want to be an aunt one day. I want to see you get to be a husband and a dad.”
“Shit, I want that too. You don’t have to worry. Jake just came out to the ranch and did all our physicals.”
The worry in her chest eased a little. “I guess that his mobile doctor business is doing well?”
“Yeah, he seems to be enjoying it. More than being stuck working in the ER.”
A shiver rolled through Abby. Shit. She hated thinking about the hospital.
“So, now that you’ve completely eviscerated me and made me feel like a small child, let’s focus on you. What have you been up to? Mom and I hardly see you any more.”
“Nice subject change.”
“So?”
“I’m sorry. I know I should come out here more often. I’m just busy.”
“With what?” His eyes squeezed shut. “Are you seeing someone?”
“That’s not any of your business.”
“Says the little sister who just tried to bully me about going to the doctor because she wants me to get married and have babies. Maybe I want the same for you.”
“The way you’re grasping your desk so hard that your knuckles have turned white is telling me otherwise.”
Sam sighed and slumped down into his chair.
“I’m just busy with teacher duties. I’m trying to put together a winter carnival for the kids right after Thanksgiving and there are just so many more moving parts than I thought there would be.”
“Already an overachiever and it’s only your first year teaching.”
“A love of school starts at a young age. I’m responsible for that. I can’t fail my kiddos.”
Sam laughed. “I loved Mrs. Lancole. You remember her? I think we both had her for kindergarten.”
“Of course I remember her. She took my class for a picnic at her house and she read us a bunch of stories while we ate.”
“Right. Well, even as amazing as she was, Mr. Westwood’s calculus class came along, kicked my ass, and forever made me hate going.”
“Your point?”
“Don’t worry about doing everything perfectly. You’re an amazing teacher. Those kids are lucky to be in your class.”
“Thanks, Sam.”
“That’s what big brothers are for. Now, did you just stop by to rip me a new one and then get a pep talk, or did you actually need something?”
“Oh, I wanted to ask mom if she still had our toys up in the attic.”
“Going to scare your classroom kids with all those dolls you gave haircuts to? Aren’t we past Halloween?”
“Yes, we are. And no, they aren’t to scare my kids. You know what, I’m just going to leave you in your disaster zone and go see if Mom can help me.”
“Good luck. She’s got her tarot cards out and she tried to get me to drink some tea to practice reading the leaves.”
“Oh, God. Can you just go up in the attic for me and let me know if they are still there?”
“Nope. You gotta deal with it too. She does have lemon cake in the kitchen though.”
“Damn, her lemon cake is almost worth it.”
“Go, Abby. Cut her some slack.”
“The only thing I’m cutting is a slice of that cake.”