Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
My gut churns, and my muscles are so tight that even sitting doesn’t unclench them.
“When I found my father’s journal after the funeral,” Dad says, “I could scarcely believe the secrets it contained. Those papers were stuffed inside, along with a confession that the story Porter’s father had told for years was indeed true.”
“We sought legal advice, of course.” Mom is nervously twisting her napkin in her lap. “We were told the agreement wasn’t binding because it was never notarized. We were also advised to burn the papers, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to do something like that. It didn’t seem right.”
“It weighed heavily on us, so we mulled over our options and never settled on a solution. That dispute happened generations ago; what could we do now? Hand over part of the ranch based on a written note between two men who were supposedly friends?”
“It’s about more than that.” I pound my fist on the table. “It’s about our family’s legacy. How everyone in town who heard the rumor believed us and not the Dixons because, what? They were poor? They wouldn’t be poor if my great-grandfather hadn’t been a cheat.”
“You’re right.” Dad frowns. “You think I’m not ashamed? Because I am. And maybe that’s why I welcomed the Dixons to this ranch all those years ago.”
“You mean…” My head spins as I put more of the puzzle pieces together. “So that’s why you hired Mrs. Dixon and put Porter to work on the ranch too?”
“Partly, yes. They’re good people and deserved a leg up.” Dad winces. “It was common knowledge that Mr. Dixon had his struggles, and hell if I wanted his wife and son to suffer.”
“But they did suffer! Their family’s name was tarnished after what ours did.” I clench my jaw. “I can’t believe this is real.”
“We’re so sorry. There were times over the years when we considered telling you,” Mom says, and I can hear the regret in her voice. “After his momma passed away and Porter left so abruptly, we thought that might be the last we’d see of the Dixons. We regretted not taking the opportunity—”
“But then Porter returned, and you were both eager to hire him.” I stand again and pace. “It all makes sense now.”
“What else could we do? It gave us another chance to consider talking with Porter about our families. But we were also nervous it would reopen old wounds,” Mom says.
“And tarnish our reputation?” I accuse.
Dad shakes his head. “We’d rather make things right. If after all this time our customers and neighbors don’t know who we are and what we stand for, then so be it.”
I meet my father’s eyes and know he means it. My parents have never been anything but upstanding, fair-minded business people trying to live an honest life and have something to pass down. They weren’t perfect, but they meant well and raised me to have respect and compassion not only for the animals and the land, but our employees too.
“We could tell how pleased you were having Porter back in your life, which only made us consider our options again. It’s the reason we planned on telling you first. It’s complicated.”
“It’s definitely complicated.” The words climb to my lips, and I finally let them fall free. “Because I love him!”
“Of course you do, he’s your fr—”
“No, I’m in love with him. Always have been.” My parents sit motionless, watching me. “He was my first love, and no one else even comes close.”
Mom throws Dad a look. “So, Aimee…”
“Was a misguided decision to do the right thing. To be a good son and make you proud, especially since losing Faith left me as the sole heir of this ranch.”
Mom looks stricken at the sound of my sister’s name.
“Oh, honey. I wish you’d told us sooner that you felt that way.”
“I didn’t feel like I could. We don’t talk about Faith very often, but we should. Visit her grave more too. I was only five and don’t remember all that much, but I do know part of your dream died with her. I wanted to help with some of that, by meeting the right girl and giving you grandchildren.”
“Oh, honey, no.” Mom’s hand briefly rests against her mouth. “That only works if it makes you happy too. And it’s obvious it doesn’t.”
I blink back tears. “No, it doesn’t, and I can’t hide it anymore.”
Dad grips my hand. “And we wouldn’t want you to, no matter what that means.”
We sit silent for a long moment, lost in our thoughts, when Mom leans into my line of sight. “Looks like we’ve got some fixin’ to do.”
My stomach bottoms out. “You know that foundation I poured a few years back?”
Dad nods. “The house you were considering building.”
My parents likely thought it was for my future family, even after Aimee and I ended up staying in my wing of the ranch house. And I suppose it was, in a way.