Chapter 23
The warmth of Alaska’s truck is relief in itself.
I didn’t realize how cold my body was until the heat wrapped around me, thawing out the chill.
Luckily, she was on her way home from a farm call when she found me broken down on the side of the road.
If not for her, I’d probably still be sitting there, freezing to death.
After we get a few miles down the road, Alaska reports that the missing cattle have been found.
Her mother, Fern, spotted them at a gas station after receiving a phone call from Ryker.
She’d acted immediately, recognizing our brand, and turned the trucks around to her farm.
I’ve never felt so much relief in my life to know that they’d been found. Thank God for Fern.
“Do you know who would do such a thing?” Alaska asks.
But I hope I’m wrong.
When we reach the service zone, several messages from Sadie come through, letting me know that she and Annie are almost to the hospital.
Cole has stopped coughing for now, but she’ll keep me updated.
I’ve never felt more thankful for her. I didn’t expect her to go to the hospital with them, but I’m happy she did.
We pull up to the Rivers Farm, down a long gravel driveway, where we spot Alaska’s parents, Charlie and Fern, conversing with the truck drivers.
The B-double trucks are almost unloaded, with cattle in the surrounding pastures, filling up the small farm to maximum capacity.
I could cry at the sight of seeing them safe and unharmed.
And today has been a crazy enough day that if the tears start to fall, I might not stop.
Sadie’s scars. Cole coughing up a fit and being rushed to the hospital. Today has been one big fucking mess, and I’m ready for it to be over.
Fern breaks away from the group when she sees Alaska and me approaching. “You’re an angel, Fern,” I call out.
“I wish we could do more,” Fern replies, standing next to me with her hands tucked into her pockets.
She gestures towards the five trucks taking up the street and most of the driveway.
“We’ve pried about as much information as we could.
They’re not sure who forged the documents, but they promised to drive them back in the morning when the weather clears. ”
Forged documents? Well, at least the truck drivers were doing the honorable thing and offering to take the cattle back to where they belong. “Probably don’t need to break any bones then.” As much as I’d like to.
Fern chuckles. “We’ll keep them here until it’s safe for them to return.”
“Thank you, Fern. I owe you.”
With a nod to Fern, I make my way to Charlie and the five truck drivers, quickly texting Blake on the way about the situation. The drivers start profusely apologizing as I approach. Promising to make it right as they hand over a copy of the papers they received.
“Are you sure you know nothing else?” I ask, but my voice is feral as I stare them down.
The five of them shake their heads behind the one man who steps forward, answering my question. “We never saw a face.”
“Fine, then.” I guess that’s all I’m going to get.
They disperse back to their trucks as I inspect the documents further. The crinkled papers look legit. Our brand and logos are accurate. Even my signature looks real. Who the hell would’ve done this?
“What do you make of it?” Charlie asks, glancing at the papers in my hand.
“It’s a pretty good forgery,” I tuck the papers into my coat pocket. “Terrible planning, though.”
Charlie nods, agreeing with me. “It’s been a while,” he smiles, taking my hand before pulling me into a brisk hug.
Snowflakes cling to his long black hair, hanging down towards the middle of his back, sprinkled with grey strands.
His golden-brown skin has more wrinkles than I recall, but otherwise, he looks the same.
Bright smile, wearing his usual red Grizzlies hoodie. His favorite football team.
“It has,” I smile back. The guilt I’d buried in my heart rises to the surface. I’d spent many summers here as a kid, back when I was a young boy, and Alaska was my best friend. So much has changed since then. The long years between us show on his face.
“Thank you,” I add, clearing my throat. “For all of this.”
He slaps my back. “Don’t think on it. It’s what we do for our own. Come on in and eat. We’ve got plenty of food to go around.”
As thoughtful as it is, sitting around and having dinner with Alaska and her parents doesn’t feel right. If it were the other way around and Sadie was having dinner with someone she used to have feelings for—absolutely not.
Dinner isn’t an option.
“Thank you, sir, I appreciate that, but I’ll head into town and—”
“Nonsense. You’re staying right here.” With that, he walks away, heading toward the house, but I don’t follow.
Staying here? Fuck no.
“Dad, I’m sure Kit would rather stay—” Alaska starts.
“It’ll be like old times,” he calls back, waving a hand as he disappears into the house.
Fern shrugs with a sigh, following after him.
“Kit, you don’t have to—” Alaska starts.
I put a hand up. “After all your parents have done today, it would be rude if I left.” As much as I want to. Despite my nature of being an asshole, this is one of those situations where I preferred to be a gentleman.
Alaska sheepishly smiles, blushing as she heads inside.
I’ve definitely done more awkward things in my life, tried to ride a horse backwards, thought I could jump off the roof and fly like Superman, tried out a mustache when I was a teenager to impress a girl in high school—but this?
This feels like the most awkward thing in the world as we sit around the dining room table, talking about old times.
Times when Alaska and I spent summers here to escape my duties at Lone Pine Ranch—even back then, it seemed like Cole was setting me up for a future I never planned on.
Alaska was younger than me, so Fern was always chaperoning during our playtimes at her farm.
But we used to spend every summer playing in the barn, riding horses, watching football, and soaking up the summer sun.
Naturally, I’d had a boy-crush on her for years, but I never made a move.
She was the kind of girl who always knew who she wanted to be, which was intimidating for someone like me.
After I lost my mom, she became a solid point in my life.
A person I could always talk to for some sound advice because she always had her shit together.
Until last year, when I kissed her after having a few too many beers, blurring the lines between us.
And I’m kicking myself for it now. I fidget in my seat while glancing at my watch.
Desperately wanting a minute alone so I can call Sadie to let her know I’m stuck in town.
Sending her a text feels too impersonal, and I want to hear her voice.
Hell, I need it after today. The sound of her sweet voice, the rhythm in her cadence, and the breathy way she says Cowboy…
“You know,” Charlie points at us with his fork between bites. “Fern and I always thought that you two would end up together.”
I nearly choke on the casserole in my mouth.
Alaska’s face turns red hot, shuffling in the chair next to me. “Dad, that’s not appropriate.”
Charlie frowns. Wrinkles form around his mouth. “And why not? You two used to be inseparable. He was here, or you were at the ranch. I remember it like it was yesterday.”
Fern smiles with an apology woven into her gentle expression. “That was quite a long time ago, dear. Things are different now.”
Charlie shakes his head, turning to me. “I’m just saying there was always something between you two. You can’t deny that?”
No, I can’t, but things are different now, exactly as Fern said. Besides, I’ve been down that road, and it only ended with feelings of regret.
“I mean, is she not the most beautiful and brilliant girl?” Charlie smiles affectionately in Alaska’s direction.
Of course, she is, but my heart is currently reserved for the girl who lived next door. “Yes, sir,” the words come out sloppy, forced. My phone vibrates, and I nearly sigh in relief for the brief interruption.
Sadie:
Cole’s been admitted. He’s not happy to be here. He keeps saying he’s fine. He’s about as good a liar as you, Cowboy.
I smile at Sadie’s response, hearing her voice in my head just by looking at her words, and it fills me with momentary bliss.
“Alaska made a mistake, but—”
“Charlie,” Fern scolds.
Does he mean the baby? A mistake?
Charlie waves a hand. “Look, we all know she made a mistake. You admitted that yourself,” he gestures to Alaska.
Alaska’s head hangs low, eyes dropping to her belly.
“But you two would make quite the pair,” he glances at the two of us. “Ranch Owner and Vet. You couldn’t ask for someone better by your side. This whole mess could be rectified if you—”
“Dad, stop!” Alaska slams her fist down, shaking the table.
I’ve never seen her look so angry. “My life is not a mess. My choice is not a mistake.” Charlie looks as if she’s slapped him in the face.
“Kit is with someone else. He’s happy. He didn’t want me then, and he doesn’t want me now. Can you please just let it go?”
My heart sinks at her words.
Charlie’s face falls, glancing at her and me. “I’m sorry, Oka. I—I’m just trying to help.” Oka is Alaska’s nickname, which means “water” in her language. Something I learned years ago. A nickname given because of her blue eyes. “I know how you felt about him and… you can’t do this all by yourself.”
“Yes. I can,” Alaska says firmly.
I smile at her, feeling the conviction of her words—her strength. Out of all the women I know, she’s the most capable at raising this child by herself. It won’t be easy, but I believe in her.
They switch the conversation to their native language, clearly having some kind of family disagreement. I recognize a few words, but mostly it just sounds like beautiful Choctaw gibberish, rolling off their tongues with ease.