Chapter 9
Best laid plans
Sophia
Lori would be appalled at my suggestion. She’d say it’s too dangerous.
But she has the life she wants.
Hell, everyone does.
I don’t.
And it’s too fucking short. Everything can change in the blink of an eye and disappear into flames.
Just once, I want to experience what I want. It’s why I took the leap to share.
I’ve heard horror stories from others who have admitted their fantasies, then were met with judgey asshole comments.
Biggie didn’t do that.
One of the first things he said was to be careful.
That isn’t the sound of someone who’s malicious.
It rings of someone I can trust.
TheBigO: I’m not sure I’m worthy of that kind of expectation. Your dreams will be shattered.
Well, isn’t that adorable?
RacingQueen: I’m getting ready to go on vacation, I need something to think about to keep me warm.
TheBigO: Sounds like you picked the wrong spot to visit.
His upside down smiley face makes me grin.
The knock on my door almost makes me drop my phone.
“Sophia? Do you want some hot tea?” Dad’s voice is low through the wood barrier.
Shit. That’s code for ‘we need to talk’.
“Yes, please,” I call out, tugging on a thick hoodie once I’m out of my blanket.
I don’t really want the drink, but I know if I refuse, he’ll just keep pushing.
Shoving my cell into the front pocket, I wrap my fingers around it and follow him towards the living room.
When I feel it vibrate, I almost pull it out to check, but the thin set of Dad’s lips warns me not to.
He already has teapot of hot water sitting on a coaster, with the variety box of flavors next to it.
With a sweep of his hand, he gestures towards the chair opposite of him.
“Dad? What’s up?” I know the funeral was this morning, followed by Sawyer rocking us all with his engagement to Val.
I’m just not sure how I fit into this.
“It’s about your brothers. Shit. Siblings. Next one might be a girl.” His mouth softens as he glances towards the closed door of his room.
“I’d love a baby sister.” I tear open the bag of chamomile and pour a steaming cup. “Are you including Sawyer in this conversation?”
Dad nods, scratching the whiskers on his jaw before dropping his gaze to his own mug. “Now that I know he plans on staying at the ranch, I want to talk to you about the future of Black Gulch.”
Swallowing hard, I wish my drink was cool enough to hide behind. “Dad, shouldn’t this be like, um, a family meeting?”
He nods solemnly. “It’s been an ongoing one. Now that your brother has made it clear he plans on sticking around, I want to lay out my plans for after I’m gone.”
Ice grips my heart. “What are you talking about?”
Is he sick?
“You and I both saw how fast shit can go south. It’s important to me to know that our family will be safe and taken care of.” He lets out a long breath and leans back, nursing his steaming mug. “Sawyer and you are the oldest of the next generation. Dixon and I can’t run this place forever.”
It makes me nauseated to think about anything happening to him.
“Dad, can we talk about this some other time?” I’m still torn up about the funeral.
The only thing that’s distracted me is Biggie.
But Dad shakes his head. “I need to know if you’re planning on staying too.
You and Sawyer will need to work together to keep this place running.
And then there’s Dixon’s kids, you’re younger brothers…
” His voice trails off. “Lori,” he chokes out.
“I’ll talk to Sawyer later, but it’s important. To me.”
Pain tinges every word making me reach out to cover his wrist with my palm.
“I’m staying. I know I might not be the best at all of this—” My arm waves around in a wild circle.
“—it’s kinda why I majored in business. I might not know how to fix a truck, but I can keep track of the expenses and where to bill it to.
” I squint at him over a sideways smile.
“Well, your brother may not realize it yet, he brings a lot of that kind of knowledge to the table. He’s learned it whether he wanted to or not.
” Dad’s cheek rises slightly. “You two will make a good team. The ranch is divided evenly between Dixon and I, with each of our kids getting a share. There’s terms in the trust to discuss change of leadership eventually if you opt out. ”
My cold knot in my stomach doesn’t lighten.
In fact, it gets heavier.
“Dad?” I hesitate to ask the question that’s weighing me down. “What about Cade?”
I don’t even want to call him an uncle.
Dad’s jaw tics as he leans back and his amber eyes darken to nearly black. “He’s not allowed anywhere near this ranch. He ain’t a part of it, his name was taken out of all the paperwork back when—” His fist lands on his knee before his nails claw into his jeans.
“I get it,” I say softly.
When Mom died.
It all changed that day.
“Do you think now he wants it back?” I know this is the elephant in the room.
So it’s a surprise when Dad shakes his head. “Cade is a stubborn fuck. If he wanted a part of it, he wouldn’t have signed it away. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he doesn’t want us to suffer.” His face appears haggard in the dim light.
Dad might be still in his mid-forties.
Tonight he could pass for sixty.
“Count on Sawyer,” he finally murmurs. “He’ll step up. Teach the younger ones what they want to learn. I’m gonna sit down with Dixon and we’ll go over adding your names to the brand ownership now that you’re old enough.”
He empties his cup and stands, reaching for mine, taking them both to the sink. “And once I’m dead and in the ground, if you all decide as a family you’re done, I’m counting on you to make sure it’s all split evenly.”
“Sheesh, thanks for that. No pressure.” I roll my eyes.
Deep down, I appreciate his trust in me.
His warm palm pats my shoulder, then he heads down the hall past my room to where Lori and the baby boys are staying.
“I love you, Soph. Your mom would be proud of you.” He gives me the warmest smile I think he can muster before disappearing.
I love you too, Dad.
No matter what, I won’t let you down.