Chapter eleven
Parker
My arm rests along the pipe fence, my gaze taking in the field before me.
Acres of land roll out toward the ridges, cattle grazing without a care in the world.
I finished my session with Laiken this morning, and she couldn’t get out of the loft quick enough.
Which leaves me feeling disappointed but also hopeful.
The space riled her today. Brought back memories.
Good ones. Sometimes those hurt worse than the bad ones.
My phone buzzes with an alarm, so I slip it from my pocket as Ryder trots off toward the tank on his horse.
Three p.m.
Same time every day.
I press her name, then wait.
“How’s that arm?” The voice over the phone has me shaking my head.
“I’m supposed to be calling to check on you, Mom. Not the other way around.”
“Nonsense. I’m fine,” she scoffs. “Now answer the question.”
“It’s okay. Started PT today.” Laiken’s face flashes in my mind.
“And how did that go?” She presses. “You aren’t pushing Laiken too hard, are you, Parker? I always liked her.”
Of course my mother is on her side. She was furious years ago when she realized we weren’t together. Not at Laiken. At me. But I’ve confessed all of my sins to her that involve the gorgeous redhead, and she’s counting on me to right my wrongs.
“I’m not pushing.”
“Is she still mad?” she asks, a bit of hope in her tone.
“Yeah, Mom.” I sigh. “She’s mad. And she has every right to be.”
“She’ll understand,” she assures me. “Just be honest with her. Like you should have been in the first place.”
“I know. I know,” I mumble.
Just dig that knife deeper, Mom. Like I haven’t already gutted myself over and over the last seven years.
“Enough about me. How are you feeling?” I shift the subject.
“I’m good today. Movement’s a little slow, but I’m outside in the sunshine. Pamela made us lemonade.”
“How is Pam? Did her grandson graduate?” I ask, my head turning when Cooper comes out from the barn.
“He did. Top of his class,” she brags. “She had to take Saturday off, but Coleen came over to sit with me.”
A pang works its way across my chest at the fact that I’m not there.
I’m not the one taking care of her. I’m obviously not a medical professional, and there’s a lot I don’t know how to do, but I can do the little things.
I’ve been doing the best I can for her since her diagnosis.
Making enough money for full-time care while I was on the road was my top priority.
But now, since I’m on my way to retirement, I plan to convince her to move back to Mayson Ridge.
Which will be a boatload of work, considering she’s refused to even tell her sisters about her condition.
Which we’ve had countless arguments about. But it’s her life. Her choice.
“I’ll be checking in with Pamela too,” I say as Cooper pivots to head in my direction. “I gotta go. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Okay, be good and you get that girl back,” she chides.
I snicker. “Love you.”
“Love you, sweetie. Bye.”
The line clicks just as Cooper meets me at the fence. He leans an elbow against the top rail, matching my stance. “Well, how did it go this morning?”
“About as good as you would imagine.” I shrug. “I was on my knees while she bossed me around.”
He barks out a laugh with a slap to my back. “Join the club, brother.”