Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
A urora woke up feeling awful—sluggish, and her eyes hurt. Last night Flora had brought her dinner and a nightgown. Flora seemed to be among those rare people who didn’t judge. Perhaps a hot shower would clear her head.
Looking in the mirror, Aurora was startled by what she saw. Her eyes were beyond puffy and bloodshot. There was smeared makeup on her face, and her lower lip was swollen from her biting it.
After laying out her clothes from yesterday on the bed, she jumped into the shower. If only she could stay under the warm water forever. The liquid soap, shampoo, and conditioner all had a pleasing, manly scent of wood and a hint of pine.
She stepped from the shower and dried herself off then wrapped the towel around her body and went into the bedroom. Her clothes had been replaced—by Flora, most likely. In place of her blouse and skirt, there were sweatpants and a Denver Broncos jersey. Good thing orange suited her. She chuckled.
The sweatpants were an okay fit, but the jersey engulfed most of her body. It was surprising how comfortable the fresh clothing was. There was also a new pair of socks. No shoes, though. Hopefully, going downstairs in towel dried hair was acceptable.
Stewart sat at the table, observing her descent down the stairs. Though he looked furious, he didn’t utter a single word.
A cheerful Flora intervened, preventing Aurora from reaching the kitchen and guiding her back to the table.
“Go on, sit down. He won’t bite you.”
Aurora gave Flora the side-eye. Was she absolutely positive about that?
As soon as she sat down, Flora put a pot of coffee on the table, along with cream and sugar.
Ignoring Stewart was easy while she poured herself coffee and added cream, pretending to stir it forever. Finally, she dared to glance at him.
“Is the press still outside?”
“Looks like they intend to stay. I’ll have the sheriff usher them out. All the family trucks were left here yesterday, and everyone went out the back. I’m totally clueless about what the press thinks is going on.”
“Did you watch the news?”
“I was just about to read my newspaper.” He shook his head. “I’ll read it later.”
“I really want to know what they are saying about me. If you don’t mind, that is.”
He unfolded the paper, looked at the headline, and folded it back up.
“May I see it?”
Silently, he handed it to her.
When she unfolded it, she gasped. “I’m so sorry. Now everyone knows about my stepfather cheating you.” She read more. “They have a quote from my mother.” Tears clogged her throat. “My daughter is at the root of this whole situation. Nothing was ever enough for her. We gave her everything and believe me, her tastes were very expensive. The car she drives is worth millions. She took off when things got difficult, and I haven’t had any contact with her since.”
Slowly, Aurora re-folded the paper and then put her hands over her face. Why? Her mother’s words inflicted deeper wounds than her stepfather’s actions ever could. If only she could just shrivel up and hide. Nothing was ever enough for her. How many times had she asked to go to a public school? The only material thing she’d ever asked for was a scientific calculator. Her heart broke into pieces.
“I’ll get started working for the day. Am I still working here?” The words barely came out.
Stewart nodded. She didn’t care if it wasn’t a happy nod. She just needed something to do.
He didn’t need to read the article. He’d been messaged all morning. The consequences of his bad judgment inflicted harm and humiliation upon his family. He’d be on the phone with buyers all morning, reassuring them nothing had changed. McKeegan cattle were still considered some of the best in Montana.
McKenna was right, though, he needed to step down. He’d move into one of the empty houses on their part of the ranch. The closest house was fine. He didn’t need anything this big, he never did.
The first phone call would be to movers to come and pack his things. There was nothing he could do for Aurora. McKenna was likely to fire her outright. Maybe Katie would take her in for a few weeks.
He needed to contact Gus and ask him to gather Aurora’s belongings and transport them to the ranch. He’d have Gus drop her stuff off at the other house. Hopefully, the press wouldn’t catch wind of it.
First the Sheriff, then Gus, then McKenna. He’d call the buyers after that.
He sighed. How had he let this happen? Not just Aurora, but everything. Guilt and shame filled him. What would his father have thought? What was his mother going to think? Well, if she decided to come back from Ireland, he supposed she could live with McKenna.
The back door opened and slammed shut. He closed his eyes.
Please Lord, help me in Your divine way to get through this day.
McKenna took a seat at the table, poured himself a cup of coffee, and settled back. “I told you so.”
The words jabbed Stewart’s feeling of inadequacy. “Yes, you did. I’m calling movers today. I should be out of the house in two or three days. I’ve gotten numerous messages from buyers. I suppose it’s your job to reassure them. I’ll have the office cleared out in an hour at the most. The movers will get the rest. I’m only taking things I paid for.”
McKenna’s smile was as wide as if he’d just won a prize. Maybe it’s the prize he’d always dreamed of winning.
“What about the girl? I refuse to employ a thief. I want her off the ranch.”
“You get to pick your employees, but you can’t decide if she gets to stay on the ranch.” He might be at an all-time low, but he wasn’t going to allow McKenna to have a say where he had no authority.
“Whatever, as long as she never steps foot in this house.”
“I’m going to grab my stuff from the office so you can start your reign as CEO. You might as well let the others know about the change in leadership.”
He went to find containers to pack his things in. Life would probably be less stressful. He’d have more time to… Yeah… He’d have to find something to do.
He walked past Aurora, carrying his containers, unable to meet her gaze. He just went into his office. First, he called the sheriff, then Gus, and last, the moving company. As he loaded his things, his heart felt heavy. He’d been named businessman of the year seven times. Maybe he should throw the awards away.
“Stewart? McKenna just told me to get off my backside and leave work. He scares me.”
“He scares lots of people with his temper.,” Stewart acknowledged. “Please just gather your belongings and exit the office. Not the house, just the office. I’ll explain when I’m done here.”
Aurora didn’t have anything personal in the office. Her bag was upstairs. Grabbing her coffee, she went into the living room. The stone fireplace was massive, covering an entire wall. All the furniture was leather, and it had a western feel to it. Hanging over the fireplace was a huge map. She stepped closer to study it.
“That’s my ranch,” McKenna told her, coming into the room. “Don’t get any ideas of thinking you’ll own the smallest piece of hay on it.”
Turning toward McKenna, all she saw was the giant smirk on his face. His expression spoke volumes. She’d cost Stewart everything.
“By the way, you are fired.”
“I figured that out already,” she said in a dry tone. “But thanks for clarifying.”
“You’re not welcome here, you bring nothing but bad luck. I don’t want you to share any more sob stories or lies with Stewart. You’ve brought nothing but trouble to this family, and you need to go. Grab your things and go.”
Blinking, she absorbed his words. Of course, she had to go. She put her coffee down and went up the stairs. His hot angry stare was felt the entire way.
Her clothes were clean and on the bed. Quickly, she changed. If she had to be thrown into the lion’s den, she might as well do it in style.