6. Alexander
CHAPTER 6
ALEXANDER
Having Cassidy by my side tonight is an absolute dream. Without the layers of makeup, I can see the real her and it makes me desperate for more. Her scent wraps around me, warm and familiar. She’s the kind of woman who makes you want to be a better man.
We’re thirty minutes into the night when she leans in close and tells me that her son is here. Her words cause a strange and undeniable feeling to take root. But I know without a doubt that I want to meet her kid.
I clear my throat, unsure of why my nerves are acting up. “What do you say you introduce me to Connor and I’ll have the guys bring a horse round back?”
Cassidy’s eyes light up without hesitation. “Really? Yes, he would love that. I’d bet that he’s over there, tearing up the dance floor.”
“Let’s go.” I hold out an elbow to Cassidy and she slips her arm through it.
On the way over, I grab my brother's attention and tell them to bring a horse up. I don’t know if it’s the shock of seeing me with a woman on my arm, the fact that the woman is their old babysitter, or the amount of alcohol they’ve consumed, but my brothers comply with no question.
But Connor isn’t on the dance floor. Instead, we find Connor holding court at the dessert table. Pa and a few ranch hands stand by riveted and I decide I like this kid already.
“How do you know I’m old?” Pa’s eyes twinkle in the candlelight as he calls across the table to Connor, playing along with Connor’s serious expression.
Connor tilts his head as if the answer is obvious. “Your hands. The skin is thinner, and your veins are more visible. Also, your beard is seventy-three percent gray. If you tell me how old you were when it started turning, I can calculate how much you lose per year.”
Pa throws back his head and lets out a cackle of laughter. “You are something, you know that.”
“Connor, this is my friend Alex.” Cassidy steps away from me and puts a hand on Connor’s shoulder.
Connor peers up at me, his expression blunt but curious. “You’re big. I like your hat. Are you an actual rancher or a person who likes to dress like one?”
His matter-of-fact question makes me chuckle. “I’m the real deal. What do you say we ditch this party and get you on a horse?”
Connor’s face lights up and for a second I see Cassidy reflected in his soft features. “Yes! I do! Can we, Mom?”
Cassidy nods and I hold out a hand for a high-five. Connor delivers. Just like that, I know that I’m going to like this kid.
Fifteen minutes later, the barn dance fades into the background. All five of my brothers trail us to the paddock, though it’s clear they’re more interested in Cassidy than the horse.
Connor takes to riding like he was born for it, spouting off horse facts while I hold the lead. His mix of offbeat humor and earnest curiosity is impossible not to like. On the third lap, most of my brothers lose interest and wander back inside, leaving Bowen to take over while I join Cassidy.
She stands nearby, her arms wrapped around herself, tears shimmering in her eyes.
“Why are you crying?” I ask softly, my body immediately on high alert. “You know I can’t take it.” I chuckle at myself.
“I’m not,” she says, blinking rapidly, then shaking away her tears. “It’s just… I knew the horses would be good for him. It was such a fight. His dad made me feel like an idiot. Like I didn’t know what I was talking about, but seeing it—seeing him thrive—” Her voice catches. “Thank you, Alex. For doing this.”
“Connor’s incredible. Funny, smart… He’s going to fit right in here. And Cassidy?” I step behind her, resting my hands on her shoulders. “You’re an amazing mom. You don’t need my help, but I’ll always be here for you.”
She leans back against me, her soft curves molding perfectly against my hard lines as we watch Connor ride. He disappears around the corner with Bowen holding the lead, but she doesn’t move away from me. For a brief, perfect moment, I allow myself to imagine a life like this. I want a life where I never have to let her go.
But the sound of the barn doors slamming open shatters our peace and snaps me back to reality.
“Why is my son on a horse?”
I turn at the voice, instantly recognizing the man who strides toward us, Mayor Randolph Bellcourt. His presence radiates unwelcome authority, and Cassidy stiffens beside me.
“You didn’t pick him up,” Cassidy says, stepping forward but keeping her tone steady. “So I brought him here. I called you this morning, Randolph. Several times.”
Randolph pinches the bridge of his nose. “I didn’t ask for your schedule, Cassidy. I asked why my son is on a horse. You know how I feel about ranchers.” His sneer is directed at me now.
My jaw tightens. “I don’t care for your tone.” I step forward positioning myself between him and Cassidy. He can intimidate her all he wants, but if he thinks this bullshit is going to work on me, he’s got another thing coming.
“Alex—” She puts a calming hand on the back of my arm.
Randolph’s gaze flicks between us, settling back on Cassidy. He rolls his eyes. “Calm down cowboy. Cass, who is this?”
My muscles clench and restrict. I hate the way he calls her Cass. I hate the way her body reacts to his presence.
Before she can answer, I step forward. “Alexander Kingridge. This is my ranch, and you’re trespassing.”
“Ah, now it makes sense, a Kingridge. If you don’t have the power anymore, you might as well chase the money.” Randolph smirks. “It was right there in front of me this whole time, the change in lifestyle. The… rustic choices.” He motions dismissively at Cassidy.
“You have no jurisdiction here and I’m telling you, you need to leave.” If I lose my cool this dude has no chance. The rage that bubbles inside me is immediate and all-consuming. Cassidy’s hand on my arm is the only thing keeping me from lunging at this douchebag.
“Dad! Hey Dad.” Connor’s voice floats over to us on the breeze.
I turn to see Bowen, horse lead still in hand. He raises an eyebrow at me then folds his arms across his chest. His mouth pulls into a cocky smirk as he eyes Randolph.
Randolph raises his voice. “Son, off the horse.”
“Ah man, I was doing so good,” Connor mumbles his protest.
“Connor,” Cassidy calls gently, “we’ll try riding again another time. It’s your dad’s day, and it sounds like you’re leaving with him now.”
Connor dismounts with Bowen’s help, his disappointment palpable.
Randolph steps forward, lowering his voice. “We aren’t farmers, no matter what little fantasy she’s indulging. But it’s nice of her to introduce you to her… companions. You know, all the men she’s spending time with.”
That’s it. Too fucking far.
“You’re done.” My voice is low and menacing.
“That’s enough.” Cassidy’s voice is cutting. “Alex let it go, you don’t know what he’s like. He’ll make your life a nightmare.”
“Ha,” I scoff. “I’d like to see him try. He just made an enemy of the wrong man.”
Cassidy continues, “Randolph, on your days with him you can do what you want, but trust that I’m going to do the same. Connor honey, I love you so much and I’ll see you in a few days.”
Connor takes a cautious step toward his mom and buries his face into her. She wraps him in a hug. Randolph stands facing me and I silently will him to make a move toward me or toward Cassidy. A single inch forward is all I need to justify the punishment I’m ready to rain down on him.
Our silent standoff is interrupted when the barn doors push open again and the rest of my brothers file out in a line. They come to stand beside me, blocking Cassidy and Conner from Randolph’s view.
“We make a formidable wall, don’t we?” Bowen lets out a humorless chuckle.
“I sure as hell wouldn’t want to come up against us on a bad night,” Holden adds.
“I was straight looking for a fight tonight.” Callum presses his palms together.
Randolph’s eyes wander across the line assembled in front of him. In a wild move, he seems to actually consider taking us on before ultimately taking a step backward.
“Connor, to the car.” Randolph barks.
“He needs to find his jacket, it’s inside. We’ll be right out.” Cassidy’s face is unreadable as she pushes past all of us and makes her way into the party with Connor.
As soon as she’s out of earshot, I lose my restraint. I lunge forward and put a hand on Randolph’s shoulder. “Here’s what’s going to happen now. I’ll bring Connor out when he’s said goodbye to his mom and is good and ready. That's nonnegotiable. But I’m not an unreasonable man, so I’m going to give you a choice in this next part. You can walk to your car now or one of my brothers can help you walk out.”
“Please! Whoo, damn please choose B.” Callum’s mocking tone echoes behind me.
“Hell no, you got to take out the last asshole. It’s my turn.” Holden’s voice breaks through.
Randolph jerks his arms away from my grasp and he straightens. “I don’t have a problem with you. I don’t even know you and I’ll have you remember that you don’t know anything about my son.”
The barn doors open and Cassidy reappears with Conor.
“He’s ready, I’ll see you on Monday.” Cassidy’s voice is clipped as Connor disappears through the gate toward the parking lot.
Randolph nods. But before he leaves, he turns back, offering his hand. I take it with caution. As we shake, Randolph leans into me and lowers his voice so only I can hear. “I don’t have a problem with you, in fact, I’m envious. When she was young it took some getting used to, but now she’s older and I’ve trained her well… She likes it rough.”
I don’t even feel myself move before I grab his throat in a blind rage. My brothers spring into action beside me.
Cassidy’s voice shrieks like broken glass in the night behind me. “Alex, what the hell are you doing?”
The sound stops me cold and I back away from Randolph. He straightens his collar and purses his lips. Then he turns to Cassidy saying, “Classy.” Before he disappears through the gate.