Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Jesse takes the Copperworks Single Malt and studies the label, nodding with appreciation. “The good stuff.”
“Only the best for my brother.”
His expression switches to intense, the way it always does when we have a rare moment of acknowledging each other’s role in our lives.
“How many years has it been?” he asks gruffly.
“Too fucking many, as illustrated by this.” I grab his chin, the salt and pepper running through his beard more evident than it’s ever been.
“Trying to tell me I’m an old man?” He laughs as I withdraw my hand and shove it into my pocket. “You’re not that far behind me, don't forget.”
I rub my own clean-shaven and as yet unlined face. “Far enough.”
He snorts and rests the bottle on the desk. Clint has his own gift for Jesse: a framed picture of the house, taken in black and white.
“Happy birthday, man.” He claps him on the back in a manly bro-hug. Jesse studies the picture, eying Clint with surprise. It’s a thoughtful present. More thoughtful than mine. With all the friction between them since Taylor arrived, I wondered if he’d even bother, but that’s stupid. We’re friends until the end and no woman will ever come between us.
Taylor appears in the doorway with a muffin on a plate complete with a flaming candle. Her outfit is one I selected for her, and she’s used lipgloss and mascara, too, her beauty radiating with confidence. “Ready to sing?”
We all belt out a surprisingly tuneful and harmonized version of the Happy Birthday song. Jesse blows out the candle, grinning like a freakishly hairy toddler.
We’re all dressed up and ready for the guests to arrive. Taylor’s been busy since this morning, and as much as we wanted to stay and help, we’ve been dragged out to every corner of this ranch to deal with a ridiculous assortment of issues.
“Where is everyone?” a voice calls out from the kitchen. It’s Beth, Jesse’s sister.
“We’re coming,” Jesse replies, already striding for the door.
Clint takes Taylor’s hand, and we all follow Jesse.
Tonight will be interesting. Where Barb and Mitch took our explanation of Taylor’s presence at the ranch at face value, Beth won’t be so easy to dupe. She’s sharp as a razor and naturally suspicious. Barb likes to see the best in people, but Beth has a tendency to look for the worst. Jesse welcomed me warmly, Beth took over a year to treat me like family, and when Clint started working here, she hated him. It’s like she could smell the sourness of his past lingering on him. Only when he proved himself to be loyal did she let up and give him a chance.
Taylor’s a woman, and Beth is even more suspicious of the motives of the female sex. It’s part of the reason why Clint was the one to marry Taylor officially. Beth would have raged if Jesse had risked the ranch on a woman he had bought at an auction. I made a vow to myself long ago that I’d never get married. Watching my parents tear each other apart soured that idea before I ever had a romantic feeling.
Jesse embraces his sister and shakes Duncan’s hand. His brother-in-law is practically part of the furniture around here. He’s been dating Beth since they were twelve. He’s easygoing, whereas she’s a tough nut. Between them, they make one well-balanced person.
“There she is,” Duncan says warmly, reaching out to take Taylor’s hand. He pulls her close to kiss her on the cheek, earning a warning glance from his wife.
“I’m Taylor.”
Beth holds out a hand to shake, her eyes raking over Taylor’s outfit, taking in her hair and face, offering a tight smile.
“This is Beth, my sister,” Jesse says. “Duncan, Beth’s husband. And these terrors are my niece and nephew, Katherine and Holt.”
“Sweet names,” Taylor says, squatting until she’s the level of the children. “I’ve made a chocolate birthday cake,” she whispers conspiratorially. “Will you help Uncle Jesse blow out his candles?”
They both nod and then hide behind Duncan’s legs, shy of a new person.
Barb and Mitch pick that moment to arrive, and the kitchen becomes a noisy hive of people meeting and greeting. I stand back, watching everyone find their place in the group. Barb embraces Beth, and it’s one of the only times I’ve ever seen Jesse’s sister relax her rigid posture. There’s something about that woman that just makes you feel like you’re a kid back in your momma’s uncomplicated arms.
“I know we did it the other day, but we have to toast to the newlyweds again tonight now Beth’s here,” Barb says.
Clint shifts his feet and, instead of smiling happily at his wife, focuses his attention on his socks. For fuck’s sake. Beth will be able to smell a rat from a hundred paces if he doesn’t get his act together. Taylor busies herself, uncovering the platters of waiting food. There is chicken and crispy potatoes with steamed vegetables and mac ‘n’ cheese. The smell fills the air, and Duncan is the first to approach. “Wow. This looks amazing.”