Page 23 of Knocked up By the Mountain Man

I hesitate, processing this unexpected solution. “Wyatt said that?”

I know Wyatt wants to spend more time with Thomas, and I fully support that, but it doesn’t make any of this any less… weird.

“Yes, he understands the situation,” Beau replies smugly. “Look, I get that you have responsibilities. I’m not trying to make this hard on you. But this is important, and I really do need you. Just one day.”

His eyes bore into mine, a flicker of something almost vulnerable there, and I feel my resolve wavering. Despite everything, I want to believe in the possibility that maybe, just maybe, this trip could be a turning point… for both of us.

I guess I need to hold on to that if I’m going to get through this.

“Fine,” I finally say, my voice barely more than a whisper. “One day. But after that, no more surprises.”

“Deal,” he says, a small, almost relieved smile playing on his lips. “Thank you, Clara. I appreciate it.”

As I walk away, I can’t help but feel a mix of dread and anticipation. This trip could change everything, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. But for now, I have to focus on getting through it, for Thomas’s sakeandmy own.

10

BEAU

Truth be told, the lie slipped out smoothly.

It’s not about the animals or about buying new livestock. I just need to get close to Clara again, to figure out what the hell is going on with her. Why has she changed so much? Why does she seem so guarded, and so different from the girl I once knew? And the one biggest question of all, why had she married someone else…

As I walk towards my father’s room, a knot tightens in my stomach.

Every time I see him, he seems to be deteriorating more. The powerful man who once ruled this ranch with an iron fist is now a frail shadow of his former self. It should be a relief, but instead, it just makes everything more complicated.

I knock softly and push the door open. The air inside is heavy with the smell of medicine and old books. My father is sitting by the window, staring out at the pastures.

“Beau,” he says, his voice gravelly, turning his head slowly to look at me. “Everything ready for the trip?”

“Yeah, just about,” I reply, stepping closer. “Wanted to check on you first.”

He chuckles, a dry, raspy sound. “I’m fine, boy. It’s not me you should be worrying about.”

His words hit a nerve. “What do you mean?”

He looks at me with those piercing blue eyes, the same eyes I see in the mirror every morning. “I see you becoming more ruthless, more like me every day. Is that what you want? To be feared? Because that’s what it takes to run this place.”

A chill runs down my spine. “No,” I say, shaking my head. “I don’t want to be like that. I don’t want people to fear me.”

My father’s gaze sharpens, scrutinizing me as if trying to pierce through the layers of my thoughts. He sighs heavily, a sound filled with both resignation and a hint of disappointment.

“Then you’ll fail,” he states bluntly, turning his attention back to the window. “This world doesn’t run on kindness, Beau. Especially not this ranch. If you can’t command respect through fear, you’ll be trampled. This isn’t the right place for a weak man. I’ve spent all my life trying to teach you that, and for what?”

I clench my fists at my sides, fighting the urge to argue. He doesn’t understand, and maybe he never will.

But I have to try.

“I can be firm without being feared,” I insist, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “There has to be a way to lead without becoming someone everyone despises.”

He laughs again, a hollow sound that seems to echo in the small room. “A fantasy,” he says, shaking his head. “This ranch was built on hard work and a firm hand. Your dreams of a kinder way will get you nowhere.”

I hate that he might be right. I mean, when I think about the last three years, and how much I’ve tried to please him, well… I probablyamchanging too much. Becoming too much like him, even if that’s never who I’ve wanted to be.

The room feels even smaller as my father’s words hang heavily in the air. The weight of his expectations presses downon me, mingling with my own fears and doubts. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself, and step closer to his chair.

“I respect everything you’ve done,” I say quietly, “but times are changing. People are changing. Maybe it’s time we change too.”

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