8. Lennox
lennox
. . .
The whole table went silent as the full force of our sister’s news settled. Josie and I were the only two who weren’t surprised. I’d had a sinking suspicion ever since I noticed that her wedding band had been replaced by a tan line.
Men who believed women were property, who ruled with iron fists and sharp-edged words, deserved a one-way ticket to the deepest parts of hell.
It’d become somewhat of a joke within our family that the ranch was big enough to hide bodies if the need arose, but I knew damn well if Thomas ever stepped foot on this ranch again, he wouldn’t be leaving.
That was both a threat and a promise.
“Lincoln, why don’t we—” Bishop began, pushing to his feet and gesturing at the table.
“Right! Yeah, let’s do that,” Lincoln agreed.
Both men picked up what they could carry from the table and brought it into the kitchen. Within moments, they were gone, leaving us alone with our parents. They stared at Cleo in shock, trying to process the gravity of what she was saying.
“What’d that fucker do?” Dad asked, voice deadly low. I’d never heard him speak like that before. For all his empty threats about violence or kicking someone's ass if they broke our hearts, I’d never actually seen my dad follow through on any of them.
Josie moved to Cleo’s other side, and I hoped it was enough to show her that we weren’t leaving. Our sister looked up at Dad, tears pooling as she began to speak.
I could barely stomach hearing it again, but I would do it for her.
Josie and I sat there, each of us holding Cleo’s hand as she spoke of the abuse she’d endured over the past fifteen years.
It’d been slow, starting out as little comments here and there designed to chip away at her value.
How he’d made her feel worthless, had diminished the way she viewed herself until she no longer recognized the haunted woman in the mirror.
By the time she was done, Mom was crying, and Dad looked like he was ready to commit murder. The house was eerily silent. I didn’t know how long we’d been there or where the guys had run off to, but I was grateful Bishop had the sense to vacate the premises.
“Yep, I’m gonna fucking kill him,” Dad whispered, staring down at his empty plate. “I swear to God…”
“I’m sorry, Daddy,” Cleo said, gripping my hand tighter when he lifted his gaze. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to disappoint either of you and I?—”
Dad’s face fell, draining of color at her words. He and Mom were instantly out of their chairs, wrapping their arms around her shoulders. Josie and I kept hold of her hands, never letting go. She needed this, needed to know that no matter what, her entire family stood behind her.
“Baby girl,” he said, pressing his cheek to the crown of her head and closing his eyes.
“If there’s anyone who should be apologizing, it should be your mom and I.
We failed you. We didn’t…” His voice broke as the tears began falling.
I knew he was barely holding himself together and would fall apart the moment we were out of his sight.
“We should’ve known. And we should’ve ensured you knew you could always come to us, no matter what. ”
“You girls are our priority,” Mom said, meeting each of our eyes. “And you have our support no matter what. I don’t care what it is or what has happened. You. Come. First.” Her words were enunciated as she moved to press a kiss to each of our heads.
The tension in Cleo’s body vanished as she let herself relax into our hold. She’d been so worried about what Mom and Dad thought, which Josie and I had told her was utterly ridiculous. I didn’t have blind faith in much in this life, but when it came to our parents?
We’d hit the freaking lottery.
“What if we watched a movie together?” Mom asked, pulling back. She tried to discreetly wipe her eyes, but it was no use. “Like we used to when you girls were little.”
Cleo nodded, turning to check on Josie and me. “You don’t have to?—”
“Oh no, you don’t,” I said, wiggling my finger at her. “I can already tell you’re going to say something stupid about us not needing to stay.”
“Which is so not happening,” Josie piped in. “We’re staying.”
Our sister smiled, and it felt real for the first time in ages. Nothing but genuine relief shone in her eyes. Being the eldest, I knew she felt trapped in the facade of being perfect and strong in front of Josie and me. Sometimes, I appreciated it.
When we’d found out about Dad’s heart condition, I’d nearly crumpled to the floor with no intention of ever getting back up. I didn’t know what to do at even the thought of living without him. He was my hero, my role model, my everything.
And while I knew giving up was never an option, nor what he would’ve wanted, I don’t know how long I would’ve let myself wallow in my grief if it hadn’t been for Cleo.
I didn’t have many skills outside of horsemanship.
There’d been a time when Dad asked if I wanted to take over his training clinics.
The question had been met with a resounding no because, at the time, I’d been too preoccupied with my rodeo dreams. By the time I realized I wanted to be involved with the ranch, he’d already decided to train Lincoln to take over.
So, I did what I did best. I made myself invaluable, pitching in wherever I could.
No job was too small or too dirty or too complicated.
I never complained, never balked, never questioned.
And when Dad started involving me in damn near every choice he made, it did one extremely valuable thing I’d never expected.
It chapped Bishop’s ass.
In terms of ranch hierarchy, Bishop was just beneath Dad when it came to the daily operations. He’d earned the title of foreman, and I wasn’t looking to take it from him. But the two of them shared the load. If anything happened to my dad, Bishop couldn’t make those decisions alone.
Enter me.
But all that was just precaution. It was a way to make sure that in the event of something happening that might upset the balance, this place could still run properly until someone stepped into his role.
I still had plans of going back to the circuit, winning another couple championships, and adding a few more buckles to my shelf, but until I knew Dad was okay, I’d be here to help with whatever he needed.
The scent of popcorn wafted in from the kitchen. We all looked up to see Lincoln and Bishop rounding the corner with big family-sized bowls filled to the brim. They sat them down on the coffee table.
“Cheddar ranch, kettle corn, and regular butter,” Lincoln said, pointing toward each bowl.
“Well, you just thought of everything, didn’t you?” Josie asked, rising on her toes to kiss his cheek. He blushed, which was honestly both ridiculous and stupidly cute at the same time .
It seemed like they’d been together much longer than they had. I mean, it’d only been a few months ago that I’d listened to them have sex in the barn after they finally solidified their relationship. A fact that, try as I might, I still hadn’t forgotten.
“Yeah, yeah. Cowboy Casanova is great,” I said, stepping around them for the couch. I plopped down, turning on the TV. “But the real question is… What are we going to watch?”
“Why don’t you ask Cleo?” Bishop said, crossing his arms. He stood out of the way, watching as my mom and dad cleared the table. “Maybe she has something in mind.”
“It’s funny,” I said, grabbing a handful of the cheddar ranch popcorn. “I don’t remember directing the question at any singular person. It’s almost like anyone could answer.”
“Right,” Bishop sighed, shaking his head. “Well, I’ll see y’all tomorrow. And Lincoln, don’t make me come looking for you. I don’t want another view like I got the other morning.”
Lincoln just laughed, winking in Bishop’s direction. “I’m not even sorry.” Josie elbowed him, and he rubbed the spot. “What? I’m not.”
“Maybe if you ever want us to do that thing we were doing,” she said, lowering her voice, “you will be.”
Lincoln looked at Bishop and gave a little salute. “Right. I’m totally sorry. Won’t happen again.”
“Where are you going?” Dad asked, walking back into the living room.
Bishop pointed over his shoulder to the door. “I was just gonna head out so you guys could?—”
“Absolutely not,” Dad said, shaking his head. “You’re a part of this family, Bishop. Dunno how many times I have to tell you that. So, unless you have something better to do, I’m gonna kindly ask you to sit your ass down and join us.”
I looked around the living room, taking note of every filled seat, except for the one next to me.
Oh no, no, no. This cannot be happening .
Bishop and I spoke at the same time, both leaning forward.
“Dad, I don’t think there’s room?—”
“Naw, really, it’s fine?—”
My father held up his hand, silencing us both. “There’s plenty of room on that loveseat next to you, Lennox. You just need to scoot your ass over.”
Josie and Lincoln grabbed a blanket off the back of the couch and cuddled beneath it. I heard their fit of giggles, holding up my middle finger when Dad turned around to push Bishop toward me.
Josie mouthed, “Sorry,” and ducked beneath the covers as I sent popcorn flying her way. I looked toward Cleo, silently pleading for her to switch seats so Bishop could sit next to Lincoln, but she shook her head.
Traitors, the lot of them.
“You’re all going to hell,” I hissed through my teeth. “See if I ever do anything for you again.”
Cleo leaned over and patted my hand. “Don’t worry, you will.”
I leaned back, crossing my arms. I hated when she was right. It was the principle of the matter, anyway.
“You want one of these?” Bishop asked, holding up a blanket.
I held out my hand. “Give it here.”
“How ‘bout asking nicely?”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t ask the elderly for help,” I said, brushing past him to get my own. There was no way I was sharing with him. “You need a boy scout to come help you get across the living room?”
“I’m not fuckin’ elderly,” he muttered, groaning as he took a seat. I stood there, trying my hardest not to laugh when he rubbed his knees.
“Yeah, you’re the picture of youth. Tell me, how are your joints? ”
“Fuck off.”
“You first,” I said, taking my seat. I curled up in the blanket, trying to distance myself as much as possible. “This is my house.”
“And I tried to leave,” he whispered harshly, taking me aback. I was used to him giving sass, but there was an edge of anger in his tone that took me by surprise. “But here I am. So, we’re gonna sit here and watch this movie like two fucking adults and deal with it.”
“Fine,” I shot back. “You stay on your side, and I’ll stay on mine.”
“Gladly.”
I could feel my sister’s eyes on me, watching closely for any hint as to what Bishop and I were discussing, but I didn’t dare turn their way. Sometimes, I felt terrible for keeping secrets from my sisters, but then I remembered they’d both done the same to me.
Suddenly, I didn’t feel so bad anymore. I’d sworn an oath to take that night with Bishop to the grave, and I damn well intended to keep it.