Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
I slept awful.
The baby cried most of the night. Stopped myself from going in there far too many times, but my mom was there to help her if needed. But Dixie being Dixie, stood her ground and sent my mom back to bed. Not because she was rude or ungrateful, but because she had been so used to bringing herself up. So used to being the adult in every situation, even when she was just a kid herself.
We grew up together, I always knew of the kid whose mom died when she was eight. She was always scruffy and unkept, skin and bones, but I avoided her. My heart always ached a little when I looked at her. Messy long brown hair that was always tangled, wide fucking heartbreaking blue eyes. So full of wishes and wants, but always looked so damn haunted. She was such a lost little girl. It wasn't just me that avoided her, we all did. She dropped out of high school in her freshman year after her sister died. We didn’t see her again for a long while until one night she popped up down The Old Boot, guitar in hand, still the I am completely broken look all over her pretty face, but she started playing her guitar, and for just that moment, everything was forgotten. She wasn’t the heartbroken, grief-stricken girl she once was. When she sung, she seemed free. No longer haunted by her past.
We started hanging out, but no one knew. She was my secret, and I was hers. We loved fast and fierce until we didn't. She left, drove her car straight out of Lovelock Bay and never looked back until now.
And that's the bit I can't piece together.
Why now?
Padding downstairs, I was a bear with a sore fucking head. The house was warm. Too warm. Wooden shell, wooden floors, every part of this house was a wildfire’s dream. Large, open planned rooms that let the natural light pour through. High ceilings, beams and deer antlers on most walls. Family portraits of the Rivera family tree scattered through, and small pieces of history loop around the house, wrapping it in the perfect homely and nostalgic feel. Animal skinned rugs, a whiskey cabinet to die for, and views for miles. Snow tipped mountains on the backdrop of Montana, rolling green fields that never seem to stop. I never tired of living here. I never wanted for much more out of my life than to be happy, healthy and find myself a wife.
But as the years slipped past, I found myself becoming a little bitter. I didn't want any other woman. There was only one that held my heart in her hands, but she dropped it onto the dusty road and drove over it, leaving it bleeding out behind her in a kick up of dust.
But of course, no one knew.
She was just Dixie Walker.
Sad girl turned country singer.
But now she was back, and I couldn't wait for her to leave again.
Rounding the corner and walking towards the kitchen, Pacey and my dad are sitting at the dining table.
“Morning,” Pacey beams, backwards cap on his messy blonde hair as he spoons cereal into his mouth. My dad, Jorge, is reading the paper whilst drinking a black coffee like he does every morning.
I grunt. That's all I can manage. A grumpy ass grunt.
My legs keep moving as I reach for the coffee pot and fill my cup up, and when I spin, I see her.
She's sitting at the breakfast bar, all wide eyed and shit. She's wearing a tee, no doubt mine or Pacey’s and I can't be in here with her. It’s just too much. My lungs feel like they’re drowning.
I place my coffee cup on the countertop and turn. I keep my head down and head for my room. It's too much. I need her gone, but until then, I’ll be the one to leave.
Grabbing a clean tee and my jeans, I dress then run down the stairs. I can feel Pacey's eyes on me, but I refuse to meet his glare. I am fully aware that they must think I have fucking lost my mind, but that's okay. They can think it.
“Where are you going?” he calls, just as I grab my cowboy hat and place it on my head.
“Out,” I rush out, slamming the door behind me and as soon as I am on the porch, I breathe. Inhaling deeply, holding my breath for three then releasing.
Fuck.
Pocketing my keys, I run for my truck. Climbing in, I shut the door and start the engine, and where can I go at seven thirty in the morning on a Saturday? Riggs'.
Driving the car round the turning circle, I kick it down the drive and towards Crooked Creek. The drive isn’t far, five minutes if that.
Slowing my truck outside their gates, I cut the engine and slip the window down. It’s peaceful here. The sound of the creek constantly running, the soft breeze dancing in the trees. Giving myself a couple of minutes, I reluctantly get out of the truck and Ace hears me before he sees me, barking but his tail is wagging all happy and shit.
“Ace,” I smile, reaching down and stroking behind his ear.
The barks stop, then he trots off happily towards the creek.
Opening the gate, it scratches across the gravel and my heavy boots lead me to their front door.
Knocking, I wait but no answer. I knock again but after the second time of being ignored, I try the handle and I am surprised when it opens.
Honestly, wish I never tried.
I step into the short hallway and just as you reach the end is the kitchen.
And there, sitting on the edge of the countertop, legs wrapped around my brother’s head is my sister-in-law, and my brother enjoying his breakfast.
“Oh my god,” I bellow loudly and Aspen pushes Riggs away, covering herself up with the shirt she is wearing, and Riggs stands, eyes flicking between the both of us.
“Tripp!” Aspen is flushed red as she jumps off the countertop and hides behind Riggs.
“Aspen,” I lift my hat off my head and cover my face and I hear Riggs' deep laugh fill their home.
“It's not funny,” she slaps his arm and I try and contain my laughter.
“Maybe lock the door next time,” I suggest, letting my hand lower, my hat now resting between my fingers at the side of my body.
“What brings you over...” Riggs looks over his shoulder at the wall clock, “at seven forty-seven on a Saturday morning?”
Aspen busies herself putting a fresh pot of coffee on.
“Dixie Walker, that's what.”
Riggs' brows raise and Aspen spins to face us.
“Dixie?” her brows furrow. Dixie was the grade below us in school.
“Yeah, lived across from Blue Beak.”
“Girl whose kid sister died?”
I nod, a sombre mood taking over.
“Poor kid,” Riggs grunts, rubbing his hand across his beard.
“Crashed up top of the ranch, damaged the sign. Rusty took her car, and she's at ours with her baby.”
“Was that your idea?”
“Absolutely not,” I shake my head, stepping into the kitchen and trying to ignore what was going on mere moments ago. “I brought her up to the house to get her off the side of the road, then mom had put her in the guest room with the kid. She didn't stop crying all night.”
“Dixie?” Riggs asks as Aspen hands him a cup of coffee and he leans down and presses a kiss to the top of her head just before she hands me a cup and disappears upstairs, all the time Riggs' eyes trailing after her.
“No, the baby.”
“Understandable.”
“I am wrecked, I have no idea why she came back? Her dad is long gone, she has no other family...” I slump onto the sofa, agitation biting at my nerves. Riggs' takes a slow stroll into the room, leaning against the door frame.
“Maybe she had to come back for work? The kid’s dad?” he half shrugs one shoulder up as he takes a mouthful of his coffee.
“Kid’s dad won't be here. She hasn't been home in years. The dad will be some bloke back from wherever she is living now.”
“Why did you need out?”
“Just got a little bit... I don't know. She keeps looking at me all wide eyed and helpless... I'm not interested in helping her. I done that last night, that's as far as I will go. I have enough people to help, I don't need to add one more to the list.”
Riggs chuckles.
“Why don't you crash here tonight, get a full night’s sleep then you can reevaluate in the morning after a good night’s sleep.”
“You and Aspen will keep me awake.”
“Not at all, we will be quiet...”
“Bullshit,” I laugh, tossing my head from side to side.
“Promise,” he wiggles his brows and I roll my eyes.
“Grateful for the offer, but no thanks. I have nothing to reevaluate. I'll get her car from Rusty's then she can be on her way and out of my life.”
Riggs says nothing, just sits next to me and we sit in silence, drinking our coffees.
We're not alone long when Aspen comes down the stairs, dressed, fresh eyed and bushy tailed.
“What you two chatting about?”
I'm not sure if she is being sarcastic or thinks she has walked in on a conversation, and we stopped once we knew she was in the room.
“Not a lot, Riggs invited me to come stay whilst Dixie is crashing at ours, but I politely declined,” my lips twitch as I fight the smile, Riggs throws his hands up in the air as if to say, 'I tried to help him' .
“What put you off?” she teases, falling into Riggs' lap.
“Hmm, let me think,” I roll my eyes and let my head shake softly as I roll the empty coffee cup over my stained jeans.
“It'll be okay, she will no doubt be on her way home soon.”
I shrug my shoulders.
“Hopefully her car is a quick fix and I can get it back to her. At least that way she doesn't have to rely on any of us whilst she is staying here.”
I roll my head around to look at my brother and Aspen. They're so blissfully happy and I am desperate for that. One day though.
“Right,” I slap my knee then push to my feet, walking across the cosy home and place my cup in the sink.
Riggs is up and leaning against the doorframe.
“Thanks for having me, didn't mean to... ya know,” I circle my finger and Aspen's cheeks redden as I stroll towards the front door. “Just maybe lock the door next time?” I half joke, half mean it, brows sitting high in my head.
Riggs just lets out a deep laugh, pulling Aspen into him as he embraces her. Stepping onto the porch, Ace bounds over.
“Is this dog ever inside?” I ask as I crouch down and pet him.
“Nope, he likes running through the fields and down to the creek. He lives his best life. Loves the front of the truck and winding up the cows up,” Riggs grunts.
“Atta boy,” I smirk as I stand, Ace jumps up and paws my stomach. “Want me to take him back? I can throw him out?”
“Nah, I'll be over soon, just got to finish a job I started...”
“Alright! Bye!” I shout, storming forward and flipping Riggs off as I run down the three steps and march over to my truck.
I do not need any more of a visual than what I got earlier. No thank you.
I shake my head, muttering away to myself as I slam my truck door and push it into reverse.
Turning my music up and pushing my windows down, I drive towards town and head to Rusty's. The quicker her car gets fixed, the quicker I can get her back out of my life.
For good.