Chapter Eighteen
The moment Dylan stepped into Arlene’s house on Sunday for lunch, he sensed something was different. Everyone was there, the food was great, but the conversation around the table was strangely hushed.
“You know what’s going on?” Carson asked under his breath. He’d obviously also picked up on the strange atmosphere.
Dylan shook his head. “No idea.”
After lunch, Luke asked to be excused, he had a book to read. As he and the dogs left, Willow leaned forward. “Mom, what’s going on? Are you okay?”
Folding her hands, Arlene looked at all of them.
“I texted all of you about today, because I wanted to make sure you’d all be here.
I should’ve told you much earlier about the fight your dad had with his brother.
Looking back now, it sounds so ridiculous that two grown men, two brothers, allowed anything to come between them.
It’s heartbreaking that they were so upset they divided the family ranch and never spoke to one another again instead of finding a way to move forward as family.
I always thought it was best to leave the past in the past, to try and forget what happened.
What I didn’t know, Dylan and Carson, was how the past affected your family all these years.
For that I’m truly sorry.” Her voice wobbled.
“Mom,” Hayden said frowning. “If you don’t feel like talking …”
“No, Hayden, I should’ve said something a long time ago.”
Everyone fell quiet.
“We were all at school together. Everyone knew about the Weston boys, and most of the girls in school were in love with either Jackson or Grayson or with both of them. They were local football stars, way out of my league, I thought. Grayson asked me to a dance. After that we had a few dates before he took me to the ranch.”
“Where you met Dad,” Willow said.
Arlene nodded. “It was just one of those things. The moment I saw Jackson, I knew he was the one for me. Anyway, we all went our separate ways after school and it was only when both Jackson and Grayson were back on the ranch and I returned to Marietta after my studies and worked for the local chartered accountant, that Jackson and I started dating. I didn’t even know Grayson had a problem with it.
“At first, I didn’t know the details of what happened between them,” Arlene continued, “your dad just told me they were splitting up the ranch and he never wanted to talk about Grayson again. There were, of course, rumors. If anything, the gossip mills were even livelier back then. Apparently, they had a fight in the Wolf Den …”
“The Wolf Den!” Becket exclaimed, clearly surprised. “So that’s why we were never permitted to even enter the place.”
Dylan leaned back in his chair. The Wolf Den had always been a seedy joint, not a place he’d have thought his dad had ever visited.
Arlene nodded. “What exactly happened, I only discovered much later. Jackson refused to talk about it, and I stopped asking questions. When Grayson met your mother, Dylan and Carson, I tried again to talk to Jackson, hoping the brothers would forget their fight and make up. But that never happened. And then a few years after your parents were married, your mother heard certain things about the fight and confronted me.” Sighing, she rubbed her neck.
Hayden touched his mother’s hand. “Mom, you really don’t have to do this.”
Arlene shook her head. “I’m fine. Your mother was told the fight Jackson and Grayson had was because of me. Jackson never confirmed or denied it when I asked him. He just said it didn’t matter anymore. Your mother was very upset.”
For a few minutes it was silent. Upset didn’t begin to describe his mother’s angry moods. Dylan stared down at his plate. Arlene had told them the bare minimum and clearly much had been left unsaid.
“Dylan and Carson,” Arlene said and Dylan looked up.
“I don’t know why your parents were unhappy, and I’m sorry that that is how you remember your childhood.
What I do know is that you cannot change what happened, but you have control over your future.
If you meet someone who makes you happy, who gets you, you shouldn’t let the previous generation’s mistakes keep you from allowing yourself to open your heart.
In the short time you’ve been part of our lives, you’ve become like sons to me. I want you to be happy.”
Willow chuckled. “That means she would love to see the two of you get married. She pestered all of us until we found our soul mates. She wants the same for you.”
Carson quickly held up his hands. “Don’t look at me. I’m very happy as I am.”
All eyes turned to Dylan.
Dylan was struggling to process what he’d heard. It wasn’t anything earth-shattering, but at the same time the whole thing was just so terribly sad.
Becket slapped him on the back. “Translation? Go to Seattle and get your girl, you’re not getting any younger.”
Before Dylan could say anything, Luke came back laughing, the dogs all yapping at his heels.
As everyone got up to clean the table, Arlene grabbed both his and Carson’s arms. “I should’ve told you a long time ago what I knew, I’m sorry.”
Dylan gave her a hug. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“I have vivid memories of Dad on his horse, staring in the direction of The Weston Ranch,” Carson said. “It’s just so sad.”
Dylan nodded. “I remember that as well.”
“Come on, you two,” Willow called out. “It’s time to clean up.”
Cleaning up was noisy and chaotic like always. This was what family life was supposed to be like—imperfectly perfect.
Carson had picked him up earlier and as they were driving back to the ranch, they were both quiet.
Daisy had settled on Dylan’s lap and was soon snoring lightly.
“You okay?” Carson asked.
Dylan nodded. “I am. We’ll probably never know what really happened between Mom and Dad, but for the first time I can look back with pity and not anger. I certainly don’t want to make the same mistakes.”
“You know what you have to do, I hope?”
Sighing, Dylan watched the passing landscape. “How do I know what I feel is something that will last? I mean, at some point Mom and Dad were probably happy, so what changed?”
“We will never know. Look, I’m no expert when it comes to relationships, as you well know, but what I do know is that when you are around June, you’re a different person. Happier and … um … I don’t know. Maybe satisfied describes it best.”
“Well, June and I are texting,” Dylan said.
“Yeah?”
“It’s nice. There really wasn’t time to get to know each other while she was here.”
Carson grinned. “So what? You’re going to keep texting for the next thirty years?”
“I don’t know. At least we’re talking.”
“She’s gorgeous, and if you don’t make a move soon, someone else will, and you’ll have to settle for second best.”
Carson didn’t say the words like Dad did, but it hung in the air between them, nevertheless.
*
Sunday night June was in front of her laptop again. She’d promised Barry she would tell him tomorrow which one of the illustrations she liked. They were all really beautiful, the artists clearly exceptional, but despite Abby’s input, she still wasn’t convinced any of these were the right choice.
Her phone rang. It was Willow.
Swallowing a groan, she answered. She hadn’t said a proper goodbye to anyone. “Hi Willow.”
“Hey you, we missed you at Mom’s lunch today.”
“Don’t tell me! I still dream about your mother’s lunches. I don’t think I’ve ever had a Sunday lunch that good.”
“I’m just checking up on you, you left so suddenly. Are you okay?”
“I am, thank you. I’m sorry I left so suddenly.”
“I understand why. So, how does it feel to be back in Seattle?”
“It’s different. I’m struggling to find my rhythm again, but I’ll get there. I have good news, though. Barry, my boss, likes my children’s story.”
“That is great news.”
“The problem is, Barry has sent me a few illustrations from artists the company often uses to look at, but I simply can’t get excited about any of it.”
“You know what?” Willow said. “I think we mentioned that Dylan told us your story about Pepper, the awkward little dragon. In fact, he still talks about you all the time. Anyway, I found myself a few days later scribbling on my notepad. To my surprise, it was a drawing of your dragon. If you like, I can send it to you?”
June wasn’t quite sure what to say. She’d seen Willow’s work. She was a well-known artist, recognized for her beautiful Montana landscapes, but illustrations for a children’s book? “Really?”
Willow laughed. “You’re skeptical. I can hear it in your voice. I’m going to send it to you anyway. Let me know what you think. Have you heard from Dylan today? I believe you two have been texting.”
“Yes, we have, but he’s been silent lately. Is he okay?”
“Talk to him. We all miss you. I’ll send my ideas for Pepper right now.”
They spoke for a few more minutes before Willow said goodbye.
Her mind back in Marietta, June looked out over the city.
She loved Seattle. Nestled between Puget Sound, a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins and Lake Washington, Seattle—or Emerald City as it was also sometimes called because of its lush greenery—had stunning views of the Olympic and Cascade ranges, which included the well-known Mount Rainier.
This had always been her home even though she’d never felt she belonged here. Visiting Marietta, meeting Dylan had changed that.
Her phone pinged. A text from Willow. June hesitated before opening it. What if she really didn’t like Willow’s illustrations of Pepper?
She opened the text. Her eyes widened, her heart did a happy little dance. This was it! With just a few strokes of a pencil, Willow had drawn Pepper just as June envisaged her. How on earth …?
Laughing, she phoned Willow.
“What do you think?” Willow asked, a smile in her voice.
June laughed. “This is perfect. I’m not going to ask how you managed to draw Pepper exactly as I’ve pictured her, even if I didn’t realize it. Oh, Willow, this is truly perfect. Do you think …?”
“Of course I have time! I can’t wait to get started. Can you send me the text?”
“I have to talk to my boss first, but I know he’s going to love it. Let me have your email, I’ll send you the story.”
“This is so great! I love new challenges.”
For another few minutes they talked about Pepper before June ended the call. Still smiling, she phoned Barry.
*
Dylan’s phone pinged as he and Daisy returned to his house after dinner.
Frustrated didn’t even begin to describe his mood.
He was tired. They’d been up and working since five o’clock this morning trying to avoid the worst heat of the day.
Summer was also the time of year when they checked and fixed fences, put out minerals, maintained the water systems, and monitored the forage levels in the pastures where the cattle were.
Normally, he loved being out on his horse, working out under the clear skies, but lately his mind wasn’t on his work. To make matters worse, all Willow could talk about during dinner were the illustrations she was going to do for June’s book.
Of course, he wanted to hear about June, and of course he was happy Willow was excited, but damn it, it was hard constantly hearing June’s name when he was struggling to stop thinking about her.
Kicking the front door closed behind him he opened his phone. His heart leaped. It was a text from June.
“Willow is doing the illustrations for Pepper’s story! ”
Sighing, he sat down on the couch. Daisy sensing his strange mood, joined him and put her head on his leg.
“She’s happy. Of course I’m glad for her, but when will I stop missing her?”
Whining, Daisy moved closer.
“I know. Probably never, right?” He texted back.
“We’ve heard. Willow is very excited.”
Three dots appeared, faded. Nothing. After long minutes, his phone bleeped again.
“Tell Daisy I miss everyone in the house.”
Grinning he texted back.
“Daisy says to tell you everyone in this house misses you too.”
He stared at the small screen, willing the three dots to appear, but there was nothing. Feeling hollow and down, he put on his television. Fact was, he wasn’t going to forget about June any time soon, he might as well watch a few more of her rom-com recommendations.