Something More (The Westbrook Sisters #1)

Chapter 1

Dakota

Being the oldest of five girls, I was always the one keeping things together. I was the daughter my parents didn’t worry about. It wasn’t that I was the responsible one, or the good one. I was just the one who taught them that they needed rules. They never worried until I gave them a reason to, and then they made sure that my younger sisters followed the rules.

I moved away from Sunny Brook Farms when I turned twenty-two. Growing up, I had plans to take over one day. I thought I had the perfect life. I was the farmer’s daughter you hear about in songs or stories. My daddy scared off most of the boys, all of them except one.

Hank and I met in high school. He was a farmhand for my daddy. He showed up one summer looking for work, and Daddy hired him on the spot. He spent every summer on our farm helping with the harvesting of the hay. When I was sixteen, I fell madly in love in with Hank. At least, I thought it was love. Looking back, I wonder if it was just the fact that he was two years older that made me like him so much.

I remember him meeting me behind the barn after he’d finished for the day. We’d make out and sometimes in the evenings I’d snatch a bottle of my grandpa’s homemade wine and sneak off with him.

Hank taught me a lot about myself. He showed how to let go and live in the moment. Now, here I am, back at Sunny Brook Farms, a widow with a ten-year-old son.

*****

I’ve forgotten how hot it is in The South in June. The once green grass is starting to turn a nice shade of brown. Crops are popping up, some ready for harvesting, and the hayfields blow in the breeze.

I turned down the long drive to the main house. The gravel crunched under my tires, my son sound asleep in the back seat. Coming back here was the answer, but he doesn’t understand why. His friends are back home up north.

The white house looks just as I remember it: red curtains hanging in the kitchen windows, rockers on the porch, and a giant tub on the side of the house for rinsing off before coming inside from the fields. Off to the right I can see the horse pasture in the distance. Several of the horses are galloping around, playing in the sun.

“Are we there yet?” My son rubbed eyes and sat up from where he was leaning against the window.

“We’re here.” I smiled as I looked back at him. I’ve been doing that a lot lately— smiling even though I’m not really happy. I guess I’ve been trying to put on a brave face for Jack and not let him see that Mom is breaking inside.

“Can we get out?” He stretched and pulled against the seatbelt.

I opened my door, and the heat hit me like a hot, wet blanket. I fanned myself as I slipped my sunglasses on and opened Jack’s door.

“It’s hot, Mom.” He climbed down. It was then that my mother came out on the porch.

“You’re here!” She opened her arms and Jack ran into them.

“Grandma!” he squealed as he launched himself at her. “Hey, honey.” She peered over at me.

“Hi, Mom.” I sighed as I closed the car door and went around to the back to pull our bags out. A U-Haul was supposed to be bringing the rest tomorrow.

“I’m glad you’re here.” She came over and wrapped me in a hug.

“It’s what Alex wanted,” I mumbled against her.

When my husband and I planned what would happen after he died, coming here was the one thing he insisted on. He knew my parents would give Jack life experiences that living in the city could never provide.

“I think this is the best place for both of you.” She smiled. “Your daddy could use your help with the books, too.” She smiled that smile that said Dad was being stubborn and I might have to force my way into helping him.

“I’ll take a look later.” I nodded. The whole point of me moving away was to use my finance degree in the big city. Wellspring, NC wasn’t what I’d call a sprawling metropolis. We had three traffic lights, a hardware store, and a bank. You had to go two towns over just to go grocery shopping. My father had always managed the books for Sunny Brook. There wasn’t much to really manage when I was younger. We sold hay, horses, and chickens. Since moving away, he’s added to the list, including stud fees for a few of the stallions.

“Why don’t you come inside and have a cold drink? It’s hotter than Hades out here.” She motioned to the side door. “The hands will be coming up to clean off soon and we don’t want to be in the way.”

“I was hoping to get settled tonight.” I looked around. Dad had offered to let me move into one of the guesthouses.

“I was thinking we’d do the moving tomorrow. I can get some of the guys to help unload. You know Daddy wants to have a big family supper tonight.” She looked at me with pleading eyes. She knows the last thing I want right now is a big gathering. “Just humor him. I’ll make sure your sisters behave.”

“I’m really only worried about one.” I sighed.

“Gia’s excited about you being home.” Mom gave me the look that said to give her a chance.

“Fine. Family dinner, then I’m escaping,” I warned.

She nodded and turned to go inside.

*****

When I stepped inside my childhood home, it looked as if nothing had changed. The red checked curtains were still hanging in the kitchen, the large oak dining table still commanded the room, and the smell of strawberries filled the air. It was always something. My mom loved to bake, and she always had fresh-baked goods for dinner. The farmhands appreciated it, especially the ones who lived on the property. Dad always had a few locals who had their own homes, but the rest lived in the guesthouse out back.

“I’ve got a few pies cooling for dessert. I made your favorite tonight. Pot roast and mashed potatoes.” She busied herself grabbing plates and silverware to set the table. “Louise had to take Amy to dance class, so she’s running late, but Carrie, and Ginny are on their way.” Mom smiled as she placed the last place setting. “I haven’t heard from Gia today.” She looked worried, but it passed.

“Gia does things on her own time. It doesn’t surprise me one bit.” I rolled my eyes. Gia was the middle child, and she always thought she was getting the shaft growing up. Nothing was ever the way she wanted it, and she made sure to let all of us know. I’m honestly surprised that Mom and Dad had two more kids after her. She’s the reason rules were made. Mom always said that she was challenging her entire life.

“I’m sure she’ll be here. She was excited you were moving back the last time we talked.”

“She’s always excited about the possibility of doing something. It’s the actual act of doing it that seems to be hard for her.” I grabbed glasses from the cabinet and began filling them with ice.

“Hey, Mom, can I watch TV?” Jack drummed his fingers on the counter.

“After supper. We’re going to be eating in just a few minutes.” I smiled and motioned for him to go wash up at the sink. He rolled his eyes like most ten-year-olds do before shuffling over to the sink.

“How many hands do you guys have on the books right now?” I tucked a napkin under a fork. I needed to keep busy. I didn’t want the guys to catch me staring out the window.

“Daddy just brought on two more for the summer, so eight all together.” Her eyes lit up and she rushed over to the oven. “Put these trivets out please.” She handed me several to place on the table, and then she carried over a large Dutch oven. The smell of roasted beef filled the air. Memories flooded my head of sitting here around the same table indulging in conversation and daily gossip. Pot roast was my favorite and I requested it as often as Mom would cook it.

I glanced up and looked out the window just as the guys were climbing off the hay trailer. They were covered in sweat and dirt and looked exhausted from a day’s work. One by one they came over to the water trough and washed their faces. I watched as they poured cool water over their heads and neck and shook their hair off. Their tanned skin glistened in the sunset. I recognized several of them from before I moved away, but others looked young, Ginny’s age, and just starting out in life.

“Stop staring,” Mom teased in a hushed voice.

“I wasn’t.” I blushed, embarrassed that she caught me. It’s only been a year since Alex died and I miss him, but I miss that connection with another person, too. I’ve spent my time grieving and playing the role of Mom and Dad to our son. Jack needs a male role model, and I need adult companionship. “Oh, great! Ginny’s home, and Carrie’s right behind her.” She smiled as she finished putting all the food out. It was then that Dad came in the door with the crew right behind him. Like true gentlemen, they all removed their hats and greeted my mom with a “ma’am” before taking a seat at the table.

I was getting the pitcher of tea from the refrigerator and wasn’t really paying attention. “Nice to see you home, Miss Codie,” said Jeffry, the oldest and the foreman of the group, who smiled when I looked over at them.

“Thanks, Jeffry.” I nodded.

“Mom, are we eating yet? I’m starving.” Jack rounded the corner and skidded to a stop.

“Wash your hands and have a seat.” I wagged my finger at him.

“But I did that already,” he whined. I was so flustered I’d forgotten I’d even asked.

“She used to talk to me that way too.” Ginny, my baby sister, grinned as she appeared seemingly out of nowhere. She was the sister who could easily sneak up on you when you least expected it.

“I heard that,” I teased back. Ginny still lived at Sunny Brook Farms. She was going to the local college and living at home to save money. She wanted to be a nurse, but we all knew her real desire was to have the life our mother had. She was just biding her time until she found the right guy.

“Can we all just have a seat?” Mom shook her head and motioned to the table. Jack and Ginny laughed as they pulled chairs out to sit down. Carrie helped Mom set out the last of the food, while I poured tea for everyone. Just as my butt hit the seat, the door flew open. She was laughing as she stepped inside, arm flung around a guy’s waist.

“Hey, Codie.” She giggled as she swayed. “This is…” She looked up at the guy with a confused face. “Who are you again?”

“I’m Scott. I’m just bringing her here because she’s too drunk to drive.” He helped her over to the table and set her in a chair.

“You’re no fun,” She pouted as he gave the peace out sign and left. “Where are you going?” She watched him leave before turning back to the group.

“You had to do this, didn’t you?” Dad tossed his napkin on the table. “We had a nice homecoming for your sister, and you had to make it about you.” He stood, anger radiating off of him.

“I got it, Sir.” I knew that voice and as much as I didn’t want to look, I had to. Hank stood from the shadows at the far end of the table. His six-foot two frame had filled out in the thirteen years I’d been gone. His crystal blue eyes all but pierced me when his gaze connected with mine. He gave a little nod, almost like an apology or something before moving over beside Gia. “Let’s go.” He motioned for her to stand up. When she did, he tossed her like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder and went outside. I watched as he disappeared down the path that led to the bunkhouse where the hands slept.

“What’d I miss?” Louise rushed in from outside. “I always miss the good stuff.” She pouted.

“Just Gia being Gia.” I rolled my eyes.

“Well, welcome home, sis. I’ve missed you.” Louise came over and wrapped me in a hug. “I’ve got so much to tell you, but first, let’s eat.”

“I agree. Let’s eat,” Dad’s voice boomed and we all settled into eating our dinner.

Gia never came back to the house that night, and neither did Hank. I don’t know if he was helping her, or avoiding me, but I was kinda glad he stayed away. I could only take so much at once, and while I wanted to talk to him, I needed to get settled and make sure Jack was ok. I’d deal with Hank tomorrow.