14. Cord
14
CORD
T he similarities between Cena’s will versus my father’s trust were too close for them to be random. But Roscoe Buchtold Wheaton had no relation to Cena Rooker Covert, and given we didn’t know a thing about our mother’s family, it was highly unlikely he would’ve ever met the woman. In fact, as far as I knew, the man had never left the state of Colorado.
Things definitely weren’t adding up, but when had they? I had to think hard to even remember my mom, let alone conversations my parents might have had. Maybe if I mentioned it to Buck or Porter, they might recall something significant.
“I could help you,” Juniper said, squeezing my fingers. “I’m sure my mom would too.”
“I don’t want to impose on anyone.” I looked over at her, and she smiled.
“Look at it this way, Cord. If I do, it means we can spend more time together.”
“I’d be all for that. ”
“Me too.”
When her cheeks flushed and she lowered her gaze, I wanted to pull her onto my lap and kiss the fuck out of her.
“Here they come,” she said, motioning to the bank’s front door.
Sam looked as though she’d been crying, but instead of sadness, her expression was almost serene. Beau opened the rear passenger door and helped her in, then went around to the other side and got in too.
“There was a letter,” she began. “It explained a lot, and when we return to the Lilacs, I’ll let you both read it if you’d like. There were journals too.”
“We’ll come back another time to fetch those, along with the other contents of the safe-deposit box,” Beau added.
“The letter confirmed that Cena Covert was my great-grandmother and her son, Manley, was my grandfather. There wasn’t much beyond that, but what she wrote alluded to the journals and that I’d find out more about my family—our family, Cord—by reading them.”
I tried my hardest not to get emotional, but looking into Sam’s tear-filled eyes, I failed .
I brushed at my own tears, wishing so much I could go back and relive the days when I first arrived in East Aurora. Maybe I wouldn’t know any more than I did now, but if I’d pressed, I might have been able to meet Miss Cena.
“Should we return to the Lilacs now?” I asked.
“I know this sounds crazy, but I’m starving,” Sam admitted.
“We’d have our pick of restaurants now that we know we won’t run into Jimmy Rooker,” I said. “I sure could go for one of those burgers they serve at the inn, if the rest of you are game.”
“Sounds perfect,” said Sam, and when I glanced at Juni, she nodded.
I could tell just by looking at her that she was processing what we’d just learned. No doubt that, like me, she hoped the journals would give some clues about all sorts of things. Selfishly, I hoped they shed light on why my mother had left East Aurora and seemingly never looked back.
When we arrived at the inn, Grayson was just getting off his shift and Beau asked him to join us. First, though, he asked if he could help him with something .
When they took their seats at the table, over twenty minutes later, Beau first apologized for being gone so long, then announced Gray would be working for him, as his assistant. I wasn’t sure what that meant or entailed, but Gray seemed happy about it.
“Did you get them?” Sam asked Beau.
“All taken care of, my darling.”
Juniper sat between Sam and me, and I overheard them discussing the letter. Then she told Juni she’d arranged for the bank manager to give Beau the journals and asked Juni if she’d be willing to help her sort through them. She enthusiastically agreed to.
That left me feeling out of sorts and without much purpose other than managing the livestock. Something that, based on my experience, wasn’t a challenge. Two days from now, the National Western Stock Show that was held in Denver would begin, and I sure wished I was in Colorado instead of here. Even a visit would do me a world of good.
I excused myself like Beau and Grayson had, walked out the front door, and stood on the porch, hoping the cold air would allow me to clear my head and stop me from feeling so damn sorry for myself.
I pulled out my phone, not that now would be the time to call my brothers. Instead, I opened an airline app. There was a nonstop flight from Buffalo to Denver that took four hours each way. That would give me at least thirty at home. Barring flight cancellations, I could probably swing a visit. But would it be worth the risk of me not returning here in time?
I heard the door open behind me but didn’t turn around.
“Cord? Are you okay?” Sam asked, coming to stand beside me.
I put my arm around her shoulders. “It’s been a helluva few weeks.”
“That’s for sure.”
“At least we found out we’re related.”
She looked up at me and smiled. “That’s the best news.”
“Not inheriting the Lilacs?”
Sam shook her head. “I’m paraphrasing, but in her letter, Cena said all the money in the world isn’t as important as being with people you love.”
“That’s for sure, isn’t it?” When I felt her shiver, I led her back inside .
My eyes met Juni’s when I approached the table, and I winked. I didn’t love her; I didn’t know her well enough to. But I knew I could. Even that I eventually would. What would Cena’s words mean to me then?
“Cord, have you had the chance to mention the horse issue to Sam or Beau?” Juniper asked.
She knew full well I hadn’t, but I appreciated her bringing it up.
“What’s wrong?” Sam asked.
I briefly explained about the average age of the stable and that, if the estate could swing it, I wanted to add several younger animals, preferably geldings since they were a little more predictable.
She turned her head from me to Beau, who was seated on her other side.
“It’s your decision, darling. I can tell you this much; you could afford to add as many as Cord would like.”
“Is that something you can take care of on your own?” she asked me.
“Of course.”
“Good.”
I reached for Juni’s hand under the table, wove my fingers with hers, then leaned over and whispered my thanks.
“Any time,” she whispered back.
I ordered the same burger I had my first night in town, and it was good, just not quite as much as I’d remembered. On the other hand, Juni hadn’t made this one. Maybe that was the difference.
When we finished eating, Gray offered to give Beau and Sam a lift to the Lilacs so I could take Juniper home. There wasn’t a person at the table who didn’t pick up on how little sense that made. Why wouldn’t she just ride home with him?
“If she doesn’t mind, there are a few things I’d like to talk to Juni about,” said Sam. “We could do it tomorrow if that would be better.”
“Now’s good,” she responded.
“I can give you a lift later unless you want to swing by and pick up your car,” I offered.
“Juni doesn’t like driving in the snow at night,” Gray said, perhaps a little too quickly.
“Grayson, your matchmaker is showing,” Beau teased.
We all laughed, but I wouldn’t complain. Like she’d said, the more time we could spend together, the happier we’d both be .
That should’ve sent me into panic mode, but it didn’t. Maybe instead of overthinking being with her, I should let things progress naturally.
When we arrived at the main house, I was about to get out and open Juniper’s door for her when I heard Sam say she was sorry, but she was more tired than she thought and hoped Juni wouldn’t mind if they got together tomorrow instead.
I shook my head and smiled. “Thanks, Sam.”
She reached over the seat and rubbed my shoulder. “What are cousins for, Cord?”
“You’re my first, so I have no idea.”
“Mine too.”
“Maybe, someday, you can meet the rest of us.”
She nodded. “I’d really like that.”
It reminded me how much I wanted to go home, even if it wasn’t for more than a day, but also that it wasn’t worth the risk.
“What’s on your mind?” Juniper asked after I drove the rest of the way to the cottage. When I took her home later, I’d park the SUV at the house and walk down.
“Nothing much,” I said, unlocking the door and turning on the lights.
She stood with her arms folded, not that her expression appeared angry.
“Feelin’ sorry for myself.”
Juni led me over to the sofa and pushed me so I sat down. Then she moved my arm out of her way and sat on my lap.
“Not feeling sorry for myself now,” I said, winking.
“That was the idea.”
We kissed for a while, then I moved her from my lap and stood to get the fire started. When I returned, I held out my hand, and she stood too.
“Dance with me?” I asked, pulling her away from the sofa.
Her cheeks flushed. “There’s no music.”
“That’s easily remedied.” I walked over to the wireless speaker, switched it on, then queued up a song on my phone. I’d heard it for the first time a couple of days ago, and when I did, all I could think was how much it made me want to dance with the woman now in my arms. The chorus repeated several times while we swayed to the music.
“Excuse me. You look like you love me. You look like you want me,” I sang as I nuzzled her hair. “God, you smell good, girl. ”
She smiled when I tightened my hold around her waist and spun her around the small space.
“One more?” I asked, already knowing I’d set the song to play on repeat. When it started up again, Juni giggled.
“Come here,” I said when it ended for the second time, grabbed my phone, and shut down the app before walking over to the sofa.
I stretched out across the cushions and pulled her down beside me.
“Much better,” I murmured, grabbing a blanket from the back and spreading it over both of us. “Warm enough?” I asked.
“I am now.”
“Thanks again for what you did earlier. About the horses.”
She kissed my cheek. “You’re welcome.”
I was about to fasten my lips to hers when my mobile rang. “Sorry,” I muttered, shifting to pull it out of my pocket.
When Juni started to move, I put my free arm around her and kept her close to me. “Buck? What’s up?” I asked when I saw his number on the screen.
“Port’s been in an accident over in Parlin. Holt and I are headed there now.”
“What kind of accident?”
“All we know is that he hit another car and that there are injuries.”
I scrubbed my face with my hand. “What can I do?”
“Get in touch with Matt Rice. Let him know he’s on his own for the stock show.”
“Wait. How bad was Port hurt?”
“Not a scratch, according to the sheriff?—”
“I don’t get it.”
“He was drunk, Cord, and they aren’t sure the other driver is going to make it.”
“Fuck.”
I covered my eyes with my hand, knowing Juni had heard every word. I would’ve told her anyway, of course, but I hated that she was hearing it the same way I was.
“I’ll call Matt. Let me know when you get to Parlin and what you find out.”
When I ended the call and set my phone down, Juni shifted again to get up. “Not yet. Please,” I whispered.
She relaxed against me, and I held her as close as I could. Yeah, I needed to call Matt Rice, but first, I had to try to wrap my head around everything Buck had said. Porter drove drunk, hit another car, and they weren’t sure the driver would make it.
Other than finding out one of my brothers or my sister was dead, this was the worst news I could imagine. I’d say I was shocked, but every one of us knew Porter drank too much. Me especially, since I worked with him day in, day out.
Why hadn’t I warned Buck or Holt? Why hadn’t I told them how many times I’d taken his keys so he wouldn’t get behind the wheel?
I felt Juniper’s hand cup my cheek, and God, was it ever what I needed. I looked into her eyes and saw nothing but compassion. As much as I wanted to kiss her, now wasn’t the time. I had at least one call to make while I waited to hear from one of my brothers once they reached Parlin.
I eased us both so we were sitting up.
“I’ll call Gray to come and get me.”
I studied her. Was it because she didn’t want to be here or because she wanted to give me privacy?
“I can take you after I make this call. If that’s what you want. If you’re doing it for me, I’ll tell you straight out that I’d rather you stay. ”
“Then I will.”
I brushed her lips with mine before swiping my screen to reach Matt.
“Hey, Cord,” he answered. His tone of voice told me he knew why I was calling.
“Have you heard?”
“Yeah. I sure as hell am sorry. My brother’s wife is a nurse at the hospital in Gunnison. She called to tell us they brought Porter and Maverick Morris in.”
“Mav? Fuck.” The kid was a hot-shot, high-school rodeo champ. I doubted he was much over sixteen.
“Shit. Sorry if you didn’t know, Cord.”
“Buck told me he might not make it.”
“He’s in surgery now.”
“Damn it all to hell,” I said under my breath. I knew that, since the kid and his older sister had lost their parents, they’d been struggling to hang onto their ranch. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am about this, Matt.”
“You weren’t behind the wheel, Cord. Porter was. There’s nothing for you to apologize for.”
“Listen, I’m calling about the National Western.”
“Say no more. We’ll help. Just let us know what kind of support you need, and we’ll give it to you. ”
I scrubbed my face. “That’s the thing. I’m not in Colorado, and there’s no way I can get there.”
There was silence on the line for several seconds. “What do you mean?” Matt finally asked.
“It’s a long damn story, but I’m in New York, and I won’t be able to get back in time for the show. I’ll let the organizers know the Roaring Fork won’t be bringing roughstock. Whatever you were countin’ on us to do to assist you, we won’t be able to deliver.”
“Hold up a minute. Cord, are you in jail or somethin’?”
“Feels like it sometimes, but no, I’m not in any kind of trouble. I just have an obligation here I have to see through, and it means I can’t get to the show.”
“You do know what kind of money you’re talkin’ about losing, right?”
“My hands are tied. If there was any way I didn’t have to pull out, I wouldn’t.”
“All right, then. We’ll be in touch sometime tomorrow.”
I ended the call, noticing Juni looking at something out the window. Before I could ask what, my cell rang again. This time, it was one of the cowboys .
“We’ve got a situation, Mr. Wheaton. Snow came fast and hard, and it looks like it’s gonna be a doozy. We’ll have to move quickly to get all the cattle somewhere safe.”
I looked up at the ceiling, ready to curse God. “On my way, and…What’s your name?”
“Buck.”
“Yeah? That’s my brother’s name. How many of the guys are already out?”
“Not sure, sir.”
“Anybody on Apache?”
My eyes scrunched when Juni grimaced and turned her back to me.
“I don’t think so.”
“Have someone get him ready for me, and tell them not to let anyone else ride him out.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Sorry, Juni. I gotta get out there.”
When she faced me, her brow was furrowed. “It’s a bad one, Cord. Snow’s coming right off the lake.”
I walked over, kissed her quickly, and ran out the door. I hoped to hell she didn’t get it into her head to call her brother. There’d be no way he’d be able to get here; that’s how much snow had fallen in the last hour.