Chapter 80 The Rights to the Ranch
“It started out as fake because I just wanted you to notice me,” Hallie went on, everyone’s eyes still on her. “I wanted you to give me a chance to do something useful around the ranch. I did good work, didn’t I?”
She felt like she was saying the wrong thing, but it seemed like anything she said at this point would only work against her.
“Terry, I can’t believe you ratted her out,” their daddy pronounced.
“You’re mad at me?” Terry exclaimed.
“I’m disappointed in both of you, but especially you, Hallie,” he replied, “You came up with this scheme just to make us think you’ve matured? Well, it shows exactly the opposite.”
There was so much Hallie wanted to say, but what would be the point? They would never see it from her perspective.
Her mama shook her head sadly. “I agree with your daddy: it shows a real lack of maturity. I just can’t believe you would do that, Hallie.”
“And you! You’re a menace to society,” Bob said pointing at Luke, “Did you know he unleashed a bear from the zoo?”
Gigi shook her head at him. “Not now, Bob.”
Terry’s husband didn’t have much to say, as usual. He just sat there open-mouthed and watched the chaos unfold.
Hallie felt like Gigi sympathized with her in spite of everything. Maybe she knew that the relationship wasn’t all make-believe.
“I’m sure that bear story isn’t true,” Vivian pronounced, looking suddenly bashful. She was probably upset and embarrassed about what Thanksgiving dinner had turned into.
“This is why I don’t read the tabloids,” Bob grumbled, “They’re just full of ridiculous stories.”
“It’s a true story about the bear,” Luke said, fidgeting in his seat. “Anyway, I hope you’ll forgive me for coming here under false pretenses. I didn’t mean to.”
“I know you didn’t,” Vivian said, “I’m sure Hallie roped you into it somehow, and before you knew it you were playing her game by her rules.”
Luke chuckled. “Yep, that’s exactly how it happened.”
Hallie sighed, but had to admit her mama was right. Luke hadn’t really known what was happening at first, but she had gotten him to cooperate.
She could have mentioned that it was only because he was dead drunk at the time, but Luke would surely find a way to make himself look like a shining example of goodness no matter what she said. It seemed he could do no wrong in her parents’ eyes.
“So, they were never really a couple?” Bob asked.
Hallie didn’t really want to answer that. Luke looked as uncomfortable as she had ever seen him. She was satisfied that at least he couldn’t find a glib remark to get him out of this one.
“Well, were you?” Vivian asked.
“Not at first,” Luke stated, “but I think we were going to get there if I hadn’t ruined it all.”
Everyone looked confused, and Hallie just wanted to leave. “I’m sorry about all of this,” she said simply.
She couldn’t sit there anymore, feeling like a complete failure and somehow allowing Terry of all people to have the moral high ground. She got up from the table, but her mama’s voice stopped her from leaving the room.
“I hope you realize you’ve accomplished exactly the opposite of what you wanted,” Vivian said. “We’re retiring next year, but there’s no way we’re leaving the ranch to you, not after this behavior.”
“To be honest,” her daddy said, “we were probably going to leave it to Terry anyway. You’ve got a job in the city now, so you wouldn’t have time to run the ranch.”
Terry perked up and even seemed to lose some of her evil demeanor for a moment. “Really! I’m going to get the ranch?!”
“Maybe,” her mama replied wearily. “If you stop fighting your sister on everything.”
“I will stop right this minute,” Terry declared.
Hallie strode out of the dining room and headed up the stairs.
“Where are you going?” her mama called, “What about dinner?”
“I just need to go,” Hallie said.
“Let her go, Vivian,” Gigi said. “It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine!” Vivian objected. “I’m surprised you’re okay with all this. She went behind our backs and lied to us.”
Gigi gave her a cunning smile. “I seem to recall a time when you were just as bad, sneaking out to see a boy I didn’t want you seeing, and of course lying to me about it.”
“What boy?” Sam exclaimed.
“Oh, relax. This was way before we met.”
The last thing Hallie needed to see was more family drama; she resumed her escape.
Luke’s voice reached her from the dining room: “Maybe I should go too.”
“No, Luke, you’re always welcome here,” Vivian urged, “I always thought you really liked Hallie.”
Hallie hurried up the stairs. These words made her feel more guilty than she ever had for the deception.
Maybe her mama just wanted her to be happy, and that was why she kept bugging her about getting a boyfriend. Of course, she still didn’t see what a low-down snake Luke was.
Hallie started to pack up her stuff. It was sad to see all the outfits she had meant to wear that weekend folded back up in the suitcase.
She knew she would feel better if she left right away and allowed some space between her and her family. There had been way too much information revealed this night.
She heard a knock on the door. Whoever it was, she didn’t want to talk to them.