Chapter 28
What Happened
Lynn
I rodewith Trevor to drop the boys off to football camp. We dropped Snacks back off with Nanna first. My heart swelled to see how much my grandmother’s eyes lit up to have her little buddy back with her.
I feel like it’s time to confront my father about what I’ve learned before I dive in to save the ranch. I want to hear what happened in his words. I mean, we’ve made a ton of assumptions, but I would love to understand where this all birthed from.
So here we are, visiting my father to get some answers. The way his face lights up as Trev and I enter walking hand in hand is sort of weird, knowing how hard he fought to keep us apart all those years ago.
I still don’t get it. When did he become such a Trevor fan? I shove those thoughts to the back of my mind to focus on the task at hand.
“You look good. I’m happy to see you smiling and with Trev,” Mama whispers in my ear as she stands and pulls me into a hug.
Trevor pulls the two chairs in the corner closer to the bed. This place is nice. It looks like a little apartment. Elise is getting a raise.
“Daddy, I was able to take a look at the ranch’s financials,” I say as Trevor and I settle into the chairs.
“My mama never could keep her nose out of my business. You would think I wasn’t a grown man,” he grumbles. Then with a sigh he looks me in the eyes. “God always has my back. I was going to figure it out. I had it under control.”
“But what happened? How did things get so bad? Why’d you take that loan? The terms are ridiculous.”
The loss of the oil contracts is what has me stumped most. The ranch could have coasted along with just that income. The horses were a bonus. I can’t believe he released those contracts.
“At the time, the loan seemed like a good idea. I was introduced to some hard money lenders and figured I could get things back on track and hand the money back. Then we had that feed infestation, and we kept taking hit after hit.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Baby girl, I started to feel like someone was targeting the ranch. Call me old and paranoid, but it was a feeling in my gut. The only reason for someone to do that would be to get to you. Ain’t no way I would give someone that type of opportunity,” Daddy says.
I knit my brows in confusion. “What happened to the oil contracts?”
He frowns and purses his lips. “There ain’t a dime worth disrespect. Them folks called me one day out the blue and that young girl spoke to me like I was some slave she intended to put in check.
“I dismissed them and our agreement. My family worked with that company for over three generations. Don’t know where that bull junk came from, but I wasn’t gonna tolerate it,” he huffs.
“The sad part is, he couldn’t get any bites after that. It’s like he was blacklisted. Then the little problems started and began to add up. I never knew how bad it has gotten,” Mama says.
“Because I don’t want you stressing about this,” Daddy says as he looks at Mama lovingly.
Trevor has fallen unusually quiet. I reach to place my hand in his. He turns to me with a tight smile.
“I’ll tell you one thing. It does my heart good to see you two together. I was hard on you when you were younger, Trevor.
“Not because I didn’t like you, but because I knew the man you could be. An honest man, someone my baby could be proud to stand by. I was hurt to know you two would lie to me.
“I probably shouldn’t have been as hard as I was, but I’m proud to say when I look at you today, you’re the man I always knew you would be,” Daddy says to Trev.
“I understand, sir. I’ve always wished I’d handled things differently. I never meant any disrespect.
“The man I am today is on account of you and my daddy. I thank you for being so hard on me. It made me get myself together.
“I hope you’ll be willing to give me your blessing when I ask Cakes for her hand this time,” Trevor says.
I look at him with wide eyes. I know we talked about me staying and living in our house together, but I never stopped to think about marriage. I’m thirty-eight. I let go of the fairytale of marriage a long time ago.
“I’m getting healthy to walk my baby down the aisle. Don’t go taking forever to make it happen. These bones ain’t what they used to be.”
“I think Gloria has held onto that wedding gift. We’ve been holding out hope for you two,” Mama says.
“I already let his little big-head kids call me Pop-pop. Might as well be family,” Daddy chuckles.
“Daddy,” I chide.
“I have it my way, you’ll have a few more to call you that.”
Once again, I look to Trev, realizing we’ve been on two different pages. The sparkle in his eyes says a million words. In this moment, I know I want all the things with Trevor.
We’re going to get my family’s ranch back on track. He’s going to get his New York branch started, and I’m going to marry this man and have babies. The life we wanted may have been delayed, but it will not be denied.
* * *
Trevor
Like Moses,I have a feeling in my gut. I don’t think the things happening with the Galveston ranch are coincidence. My gums itch and that means something sour is in the water.
I need to get some answers and I believe I know just how to get them. Lord help that woman if even one answer leads back to her. Hell may have no fiery like a woman scorned but Hell will tremble and fall under my wrath if she’s done anything else to harm my woman or her family.
Donna, you haven’t seen me pissed off.