Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Tyler
“How’s it going over here?” I ask, staring into the guts of the tractor Jude is working on.
“Gonna need to get more parts for it. The hydraulic system is fucked beyond repair,” Jude grunts, twisting the wrench in his hand, pulling another bolt out.
“Damn,” I mutter. “Think they’ll have the parts in town?”
“Yeah,” he answers. “I’ve already called and asked. They’ve got them put to the side for me.”
“I’ll head out and get them since I need to pick up the load of horse feed as it is.
” It’ll save Jude time, and he can keep doing what he needs to do to get the tractor up and running.
Without it, it’ll be a pain in the ass to get the hay moved around.
Not to mention everything else we use the tractor for.
Jude glances up, sunglasses firmly in place, blocking out the bright sunlight. “Appreciate it. Means, I’ll have this done today.”
“That’ll be good,” I tell him and tap the side of the tractor with my knuckles. “Last thing we need is this old girl to be out of commission longer than she has to be.”
"Yeah," Jude agrees, lifting the hem of his shirt to wipe his brow. "Now, if we can keep Wyatt out of the seat, that would be good. The man is good at a lot of things, but he's shit with a clutch."
I can’t help but chuckle at that. I know what he means about Wyatt not knowing how to drive anything with a clutch. We had to replace it twice in the last year, with him stripping the damn thing, but the guy has to learn it eventually, that or stay off the damn tractor.
Leaving Jude to handle things here, I head for my truck. Maddox would’ve gone and done this trip today, but he is meeting with Lucifer to go over the books for the ranch this morning.
When I first learned Maddox had signed a deal with the Fallen Demons, making them a partner in the ranch, it irked me.
I knew the ranch was in trouble, and had been for quite some time, even before William passed away.
There had been weeks where I'd gone without pay because he didn't have it to give, and I never gave him any grief about it.
I knew he'd square up with me when things turned around, and he did.
But I was his right-hand man, and a little heads-up would've been nice.
Instead, I found out in the same abrupt manner as everyone else. There was no easing us into the new partnership. As soon as the ink was dry, the name changed from Meadows Ranch to Fallen Meadows Ranch, and this place became infiltrated with bikers.
I'm not complaining, though. Logically, I knew this was the best call.
The Fallen Demons gave Maddox the capital he needed to get back on track and the assets needed to expand the operations here.
On top of the new herd Maddox purchased prior to signing the deal, we have bison too.
Now, we have over seventeen calves that were born from the old herd and over the last two months, three more cows have fallen pregnant.
We'll be taking quite a few of the calves to the auction next month, driving in even more income from the stock show once we put them up for auction.
Pulling through the gates at the end of the lane, I make the turn toward town.
With it being Friday, traffic is a bit heavier than on a typical day, especially this time of day.
People are getting out of work. Others are going out for a night on the town.
Granted, traffic here is nothing compared to the city.
We only have a total of three traffic lights. The rest are stop signs.
Another turn, then another, I make the last one into the parts store. As I park, I notice a familiar truck drive past and my gut twists at the sight of it.
Delaney.
I shouldn’t think of her.
I’m still reeling over the fact she’s my son’s teacher this year. I remember her telling me she was a teacher, but hadn’t thought much more about it.
Taking a breath, I shove the thoughts away. I don’t need to be thinking about her now or ever. Not when I have things to do.
It’s not like I’m going to have a repeat with her. No matter how much my dick would enjoy it. I’m not one for repeating past mistakes. Though, I wouldn’t call my son a mistake. Not by a long shot, but I’m not into more than a one-nighter with women.
But what if . . .
Nope, not finishing that thought either.
I don’t even want to think about how the condom had broken while I fucked Delaney. Thinking about the way I treated her leads me down a path I don’t want to go down.
Shoving the thoughts away, I shut off my truck and get out. All that matters at this moment is getting work done. Parts for Jude. Feed for the horses. Getting the rest of the work done. Going home to my son at the end of the day. That’s what matters.
“Does your cellphone not work?” Lexy demands, hands on her hips, facing me from the kitchen as I toe off my boots.
“Yeah, it works,” I tell her, raising a brow. “Why?”
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe because I’ve called you like three hundred and ten times,” she snaps, throwing her hands in the air with a huff.
I pull my phone out and find I have a total of three missed calls from Lexy. “What’s wrong that you called supposedly three hundred and ten times, which adds up to your three I actually got?”
“You got a letter from the State Prison’s office,” she states, moving to the end of the counter and lifting an envelope. “I opened it by accident.”
“Accident my ass,” I mutter, snatching it from her. I yank the letter out and scan over it. Curses filter through my mind. What the actual fuck are they thinking? They’re going to seriously let her out?
“They’re not even having a parole hearing?” Lexy whispers hisses the question.
“Let me call the lawyer,” I tell her. He would have gotten one of these as well as I requested that any letters sent to me from the State Prison also be sent to him.
I pull up Barnes’s number and hit the dial icon. I know it’s late, but calling his personal cell won’t bother him.
Barnes answers on the third ring. “I know this isn’t a personal call, nephew, and you realize it’s after business hours.”
“Yeah, but you can understand why. You get the letter?” I ask.
“Yes, and I’ve already called to find out what’s going on,” he grumbles calmly.
“According to the parole board and warden, there isn’t a hearing because she’s being released early due to overcrowding in the prison.
The warden claimed she was an honorable inmate, and they didn’t see her being harmful to those once released. ”
“Bullshit. They should’ve given more warning than a fucking letter,” I snap, rage boiling in my veins at the news. What the fuck are they thinking, letting a woman who tried to kill her son out on good behavior?
“I agree with you. I have already gotten on the ball about getting a protective order in place. A judge friend of mine has already signed off on a temporary one for the time being. She’ll be served that one upon release, but we’ll go before the judge within the next thirty days to get the permanent one. ”
“Thanks, Barnes. I appreciate it.” I let out a heavy breath. At least he’s already got the ball in motion to keep Dash safe. “Is there anything else we can do besides the PO?”
“At this time, just keep doing what you’re doing,” he states. “I’ve got this part under control. I’ll do everything in my power to keep her from getting anywhere near that boy.”
I nod, looking to Lexy. “Thank you.”
“Now that business is out of the way, I want you, your sister, and your son to meet your aunt and me for dinner tomorrow evening. Claire is pestering me for a night out with her ‘children’.”
There’s no keeping the grin from sliding into place. Claire has always called Lexy and me her children, no matter how old we are. Our mom and her were best friends growing up, and she was our godmother before she married our uncle. They never had children and would spoil us growing up.
Lexy lived with them for a little while because of school two towns over then moved in with me and Dash to be closer to work. I know I could always count on them to help with Dash, but I’ve never been one to ask anyone besides Lexy.
“I’ll make sure to tell Lexy, not sure if her schedule is clear, but Dash and I will be there for sure.”
“Good, now I’ll talk to you later, and Tyler?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t let this bring bad shit up for you. We’re going to protect Dash the best we can.”
I suck in a breath and squeeze my eyes shut, nodding. “I appreciate it, Barnes. I really do.”
“See y’all tomorrow,” he says before hanging up.
I pull the phone away from my ear and shove it back in my pocket.
“What did he say?” Lexy demands.
“We’re having dinner with them tomorrow evening,” I tell her and ask. “Where’s Dash?”
“He’s playing with his dinosaurs in his room. Now answer me, what did he say?” Lexy is definitely not a woman to bullshit.
“He said he’s already spoken with a judge and had him sign off on a temporary protective order. I’ll go before a judge later on for a permanent one.”
“Okay, that’s good, but why are they letting her out in the first place?”
“Overcrowding and good behavior,” I grumble, not trying to work myself up over it. It’s a feat I barely manage to do. I don’t like to show my anger at home because of Dash. No child, no matter how old, should see anger, even if it’s not directed at them.
“What are you going to do?” Lexy asks, stepping closer to me.
“There’s nothing I can do at this point but see what plays out.” It’s the truth, but I don’t like it. I feel like my hands are tied behind my back. “We’ll see what happens.”
“Okay. Are you going to take Dash school clothes shopping tomorrow with me?”
“I’ll be working.” No way am I going to be dragged along for the torture that clothes shopping is. I feel bad for Dash that his aunt is taking him, but I wasn’t going to drive three hours away to a mall where she’ll go store to store for every little thing.
“Fine, but don’t be mad when I buy him more than he needs according to you.” The evil little grin she gives me has my wallet quaking in my pocket.
“Don’t blow through my whole paycheck on clothes he’s just going to grow out of. Make sure he gets stuff he can grow into as well.”
“I will.” She nods. “I’m also going to take him to Build-A-Bear while we’re out. He’s been asking to go.”
“That's good, but as I said, don’t blow all my money.”
Lexy is smart, and I know she wouldn’t, but she also doesn’t tell her nephew ‘no’ when he sees something he wants. “I promise not to go over the set amount.”
I’m doomed to be broke by the end of tomorrow.
“Great, now, what’s for dinner?”