Page 65 of Shattered Melodies

Hank frowned, pushing off the tree and coming to sit beside me. “That bad, huh?”

I nodded, my throat tight. “Greene wouldn’t budge. Said we’ve already had more leniency than we deserve, and that the interest has been piling up for months.” I looked at him, feeling suddenly young and small and so very, very lost. “Hank, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how we’re going to come up with that kind of money in time.”

He was quiet for a long moment, his eyes distant and thoughtful. Then he reached out, gripping my shoulder in a gesture of comfort and solidarity.

“Listen to me, Caleb. I’ve known you since you were knee-high to a grasshopper, and I’ve never seen you back down from a fight. Not when it mattered, not when the stakes were high and the odds were stacked against you.”

He looked at me, his gaze steady and sure. “This ranch, this family, it’s in your blood, son. It’s who you are, down to the marrow of your bones. And I know you’d rather die than let it slip away without a fight.”

I swallowed hard, feeling a lump rise in my throat. He was right. Of course he was right.

This place, these people, they were everything to me. The very beating of my heart, the breath in my lungs.

And I would fight for them, would bleed for them, until there was nothing left of me but dust and memory.

“We’ll figure it out,” Hank said, his voice firm with conviction. “We’ll find a way, even if we have to move heaven and earth to do it. You’re not alone in this, Caleb. You’ve got your family, your friends. We’ll stand with you, no matter what comes.”

“Thanks, Hank,” I said, my voice rough with emotion. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. Without any of you.”

He grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye. “That’s what family’s for, right? To pick you up when you fall and kick your ass when you need it.”

I laughed, feeling some of the tension drain out of my shoulders. Leave it to Hank to find the silver lining, to make even the darkest of days seem a little bit brighter.

“Speaking of kicking ass,” Hank said, his tone turning serious. “I’ve got a new hand starting tomorrow, and I need you to show him the ropes. You up for it?”

I nodded, feeling a flicker of curiosity. It wasn’t often that we took on new hires, especially not in the middle of a crisis like this.

But I trusted Hank’s judgment, trusted that he wouldn’t have brought someone on if he didn’t think they could handle the work and the pressure.

“Sure,” I said, standing up and brushing the grass off my jeans. “I’ll make sure they’re trained up and ready to go.”

Hank clapped me on the shoulder, a proud smile on his face. “I know you will, son. You’ve got a way with people, a way of bringing out the best in them. It’s a gift, and it’s one we’re gonna need in the days ahead.”

CHAPTER 19

Scary Chickens

LIAM

Here I am, stood in the middle of my newly renovated living room, a grin spreading across my face. It was perfect, a seamless blend of rustic charm and modern elegance, just like I’d pictured in my head.

The hardwood floors gleamed in the sunlight, the exposed wooden beams adding a touch of warmth and character. The furniture was cozy and inviting, begging to be sprawled out on with a good book or a lazy Sunday nap.

I wandered into the kitchen, running my hand along the smooth granite counter tops. The stainless steel appliances sparkled, the farmhouse sink adding a touch of vintage charm.

Even the bathroom was a work of art, with its claw foot tub and walk-in shower. I could already imagine soaking in a hot bath after a long day at the ranch, the rainfall shower head pounding away the aches and pains.

But my favorite part of the whole house was the space I’d carved out for my piano. It sat in the corner of the living room, a sleek black grand that was just waiting to be played.

I felt a pang of longing, a sudden urge to sit down and let my fingers fly across the keys. It had been too long since I’d played, too long since I’d lost myself in the music and let everything else fall away.

A sharp scratch at my leg jolted me out of my reverie. I looked down to see Peanut staring up at me, her green eyes wide and imploring.

“Alright, alright,” I laughed, bending down to scoop her up. “I know, you’re starving. Heaven forbid I make you wait five whole minutes for breakfast.”

I carried her into the kitchen, setting her down on the counter while I rummaged through the cupboard for her food. As I poured the kibble into her bowl.

Glancing at the clock, I realized I still had some time before I needed to head to the ranch for my first day. And as I sipped my coffee, my phone buzzed with Jimmy’s name flashing on the screen.

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