11. Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Brynn
M omma Ann is in the kitchen putting the last few touches on dinner, and I am currently trying to convince my dad not to get out of bed. Brooks and Blake ran out of here like their asses were on fire a little bit ago when a ranch hand radioed in an emergency. I don't know what happened, but I am sure hoping everyone is okay.
"Dad, you are not supposed to do anything strenuous. Walking outside is bad enough. Do you honestly think you are going to get on a horse and ride, or on the side by side and get jostled around? Lay your ass back on the bed and hush. You don't even know where they were going."
"This is my damn ranch; I know the rotation schedule. I know exactly where they are," Dad huffs as he stares me down.
"I am stubborn as hell; you can try but you won't succeed. I learned from the best," I quip, giving him a pointed look. "Now, I have some questions. "
"I am sure glad to see you, but damn. I forgot how headstrong and stubborn you really are," Dad says with a small chuckle. "I've missed you, baby girl."
"I've missed you too, Daddy," I say with a small smile. It is the truth. If I could've packed up everyone here and moved them to New York with me, I would have. "Tell me, who redecorated your office?"
Dad's eyes glance to the side. What is that about?
"Do you have a girlfriend or something?"
"No, no. Nothing like that," Dad says. "I have only loved one woman, and she couldn't love me back."
"I know Daddy," I say as I pat his hand. I didn't mean to bring up an old wound. My momma couldn't stay in this small town and raise three kids while my dad worked all day and night on the ranch. She said she wasn't strong enough to love him how he deserved, so she left. One night, dad came in from working and found a babysitter putting us all to bed. She didn't know that mom had left, she thought they were out together.
The sitter felt absolutely awful when she realized what had happened. I can't imagine how dad felt. His life changed the instant he walked into the house. He said he knew something was different when he didn't see a covered plate of food on the kitchen counter .
"I had it decorated for you. A space that wouldn't remind you of growing up, for when you came home to visit," Dad says quietly.
Well, fuck me .
"You did it for me?" Emotions clogging my throat.
"Baby girl, I should have done more to help you. I should've been better at protecting you all those years. I didn't realize how much being here hurt you. So, I made a space just for you, in case you ever decided to come home to me."
"Where is your office now?" I ask, tears forming in my eyes.
"I don't need one. Blake handles everything now. He has an office at his house he can use if he needs to." Dad reaches up and wipes away a tear rolling down my cheek. "Don't cry, baby girl. I am glad you are here now. Even if it is for only a couple of days."
All this time, my dad has had a room ready for me. I didn't think he knew about why I never wanted to come back to visit. "Do you know the reason I left?"
"I assume it is because everyone here treated you not so kindly. Especially that Steven character. I always assumed he did something to break your heart, and you never wanted to come back here. Figured home was tainted for you."
"Daddy, I. I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry for never visiting. I just. I couldn't. "
"You don't have to say anything, baby girl. I just want you to know there is always a place for you here on my ranch. Always. No matter what. Got it?"
"Got it," I say as more tears stream down my face. I wipe my palms on my cheeks and stand from the bed. "I better go check and see if the ranch hands have made it to dinner. I can get you a plate before they eat it all up."
"Okay. Thank you." Dad nods as I start to walk out of the bedroom.
"Always a place. Just remember that baby girl."
I walk into the kitchen where Momma Ann is placing plates and silverware on the counter so the workers can start buffet-style through the kitchen to make their plates. "Damn, it smells good in here," I say as I walk to the stove and see huge pans of lasagna on top.
"I heard you were visiting but haven't gotten the chance to see you. You grew up on me BB," Momma Ann says as she pulls me into a tight embrace. "My nickname still stands," she says with a wink.
"I think you changed the meaning of that nickname a few times throughout the years," I say with a laugh.
"Nah, BB started as beautiful Brynn, and that is how it stays."
"Pretty sure it has been bitchy Brynn, butthole Brynn, bloody Brynn, brave Brynn, ballsy Brynn, and last but certainly not least, bold Brynn," I say as I thread a dish towel through my fingers.
"Now now, you are my beautiful Brynn and that's that. Now, help me get this garlic bread cut; those ranchers will be here any minute."
I help Momma Ann get the bread cut and placed on a platter beside the already cut lasagna. My mouth is watering just from the smell. I make a plate for dad with fresh spinach salad, lasagna and a piece of garlic bread. "I am going to get dad fed before everyone makes their way in," I say as I trail down the hallway to dad's room.
I am thankful that the primary bedroom is downstairs, so we don't have to worry about him falling. "Dad, I got your dinner. Eat it while it is hot," I say as I enter the room.
Dad is sitting up reading one of his favorite books, and he perks up when I come in with the tray of food. "This looks delicious. That hospital food wasn't fit for animals."
"Welp, enjoy it while you can because you are about to be eating a lot healthier, old man." I set the tray over his legs.
Dad looks to me, "I am not old."
"Whatever you need to keep telling yourself," I say as I sit down in the chair beside his bed. This time I was sure to cut up the salad and the lasagna so he would be able to eat it easily and not have to try to use a knife.
"Read any good books lately?" Dad questions as he eats a bite of salad.
"None that you would like," I say with a wink.
I highly doubt my dad would be into hockey players, shadow daddies or billionaires. I certainly am into them all and so much more.
"I have been reading a few mysteries Colt gave me, and they are pretty good. I spend the whole time thinking I know exactly what is happening and then bang! The biggest plot twist happens, and I am stunned," Dad says before he takes a big bite of bread.
Maybe I should've cut the bread up too .
I watch him closely as he finishes eating and I get up to take his tray. "Need anything else?"
"I need to take a shower, but I will make one of your brother's help me in the bathroom."
"Pick Brooks. He's the highest on my shit list right now," I say as leave the room laughing.
Time to go enjoy all the carbs I can eat.