Page 42 of Knocked up By the Mountain Man

“That’s enough, Wyatt!” I step forward, my voice low and dangerous. “You don’t get to talk to her like that.”

Wyatt’s glare turns on me, his hands clenched into fists. “And what are you going to do about it, Beau? You’re just as bad as she is. You’re supposed to be responsible, but instead, you’reindulging her nonsense! Do you really think your father will be happy about this?”

“She’s not indulging in nonsense,” I say through gritted teeth. “Clara is one of the best damn vets we’ve ever had, and she deserves respect. She deserves better than your petty insults.”

Wyatt’s face twists with rage, and before I can react, he shoves me hard, sending me stumbling back against the desk. “You don’t get to lecture me about respect!”

I right myself, my own anger flaring. “Wyatt, stop this right now. We can talk this out like adults, but I won’t let you disrespect Clara or me like this.”

Wyatt shoves me again, harder this time. “Stay the hell away from my sister, Beau. You’re just going to ruin her like you ruin everything else.”

It’s almost like he doesn’t even know who he’s most angry with, which is the saddest thing of all.

“Wyatt, stop!” Clara cries, trying to pull him back, but he shakes her off roughly.

I step forward, placing myself between Clara and Wyatt. “You want to be angry? Fine. But don’t take it out on Clara. She’s done nothing wrong.”

“She’s done everything wrong!” Wyatt shouts, his voice cracking. “You both have. I thought I could trust you, Beau. I thought you cared about this family, aboutme. But I guess I was wrong.”

“You’re blowing this way out of proportion,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm. “Clara and I are trying to navigate this the best we can.”

Wyatt’s face contorts with rage. “Oh, navigating, are you? What about Thomas, huh? Have you thought about him? Clara, you’re a terrible mom for not putting him first. You never think about anyone but yourself.”

Clara’s face crumples, as tears well up in her eyes. “That’s not true, Wyatt. I love Thomas more than anything.”

“Yeah, sure,” Wyatt spits. “A great mom who doesn’t even tell her own brother who the father of her kid is. You’re just a reckless, irresponsible…” He stops himself, the venom in his voice almost tangible.

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” I warn, my voice low and threatening.

Wyatt ignores me, his eyes locked on Clara. “You’re nothing but a damn mess, Clara. Always have been, always will be.”

“Wyatt, enough!” I shout, stepping closer, but he shoves me again, this time with all his strength, causing me to stagger back.

“Back off, Beau. This is between me and my sister,” Wyatt growls. “I’ll deal with you later.”

Clara breaks down, sobbing openly. “Wyatt, please...”

Wyatt glares at her one last time, his face a mask of anger and pain. “In fact, I can’t deal withanyof this right now. I need some space. This is so fucked up, it actually hurts.”

With that, he storms out of the office, slamming the door behind him, leaving Clara and me standing there in the heavy silence, knowing that everything we’d shared before, had just changed. I just didn’t know how, and what it meant for the future.

19

CLARA

Upsetting Wyatt like this was the last thing I ever wanted. As I stand there, watching his retreating form, the weight of his words come crashing down on me. My heart feels like it’s been ripped from my chest, leaving an aching void. I can barely breathe, each sob wracking my body with uncontrollable force.

“Clara, we’ll get through this,” Beau whispers, trying to comfort me, but his words barely register. I can’t shake the image of Wyatt’s face, twisted in anger and hurt, his words echoing in my mind.

“You’re a terrible mom...reckless, irresponsible...”

I pull away from Beau, wanting to be alone, needing space to think clearly. I mumble something about needing fresh air and stumble out of the office, my vision blurred by tears. Outside, the late afternoon sun is shining, but it feels cold, distant, as if it’s mocking my misery.

I find a quiet corner near the barn,ourbarn, where I’ve always been happy before, and collapse on the ground, pulling my knees to my chest. I fish my phone out of my pocket withtrembling hands and dial Daniel’s number, the one person who might understand.

“Clara? Is everything alright?” Daniel’s voice is warm, familiar, a lifeline in the midst of my chaos.

“No, Daniel, everything is wrong,” I choke out, my voice breaking. “I just... I just had a huge fight with my brother. He found out… some stuff that really upset him, and he said such awful things. I don’t know what to do. I think... I think I need to leave Silver Ridge. I can’t stay here and deal with this.”

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