Page 45 of Knocked up By the Mountain Man

I clench my jaw, struggling to maintain my composure. “Dad, you’re being too harsh. Wyatt’s just...”

“Just what?” Dad interrupts sharply. “A disappointment? An embarrassment? He’s got no sense of responsibility. If we let him stay, he’ll drag us and the ranch down with him.”

I feel a surge of anger, but I swallow it back. Arguing won’t help. “Clara and Wyatt are needed here, Dad. We can’t just kick them out.”

Dad leans forward, his eyes boring into mine. “Beau, listen to me. I’ve put my heart and soul into this ranch. I won’t let it fall apart because of them. You have a choice to make, the ranch or them.”

I stare at him in disbelief. “You’re asking me to choose?”

“Yes,” Dad says firmly. “It’s time you start thinking about the future of this place. I won’t be around forever, and when I’m gone, you’ll be the one in charge. You need to make tough decisions, even if they’re not easy.”

I swallow hard, feeling the weight of his words. This ranch is my life, my legacy. I’ve poured my blood, sweat, and tears into it. But the thought of turning my back on Clara and Wyatt, of abandoning them when they need me the most, is unbearable.

“Dad, I can’t do that,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t choose between the ranch and the Ryders. They are both too important to me.”

“Then you will have nothing. If that’s the way you want it, then I’ll sell the place before I die. It will be for the best.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. “Sell the ranch?” I echo, my voice cracking. “Dad, you can’t be serious.”

“I am dead serious,” he replies, his tone icy. “This place needs a strong leader, someone who can make the hard decisions. If you’re not willing to do that, then it’s better off in someone else’s hands.”

The air feels thick, like I’m suffocating. I stare at him, trying to process what he’s saying. This ranch has been in our family for generations. It’s more than just land; it’s our history, our legacy. And now he’s threatening to take it all away.

“Dad, please,” I say, my voice trembling. “There has to be another way. We can find a solution that doesn’t involve kicking out Clara and Wyatt or selling the ranch.”

He shakes his head, looking weary. “Beau, I’m tired. I don’t have the energy to keep fighting. You need to decide what’s more important to you, your loyalty to them or the future of this ranch.”

I feel a storm of emotions brewing inside me. Anger, frustration, sorrow. I’ve always tried to do the right thing, to balance my responsibilities with my relationships. But this? This would tear me apart, no matter what I chose.

“Fine,” I say, my voice hardening. “If you’re really going to make me choose, then I don’t choose this. I don’t choose to becomeyou.”

Dad’s expression shifts, a mix of disappointment and resignation. “So be it,” he murmurs. “I’ll start making the arrangements to sell. I hope you understand what you’re giving up.”

With that, he turns away, his shoulders slumping in disappointment. I stand there for a moment, feeling a sense of loss so profound it’s like a physical pain. Then I turn and leave, my mind reeling.

He’s joking, right?I think desperately to myself.This is just a test. He won’t do a thing…

The walk out of the main house is a blur. Anger and sadness battle within me, creating a whirlwind of emotions that I can barely keep in check. My mind races, thinking about everything that’s been poured into the ranch by generations of my family. It feels like it’s slipping through my fingers, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.

I head straight to Wyatt’s home, hoping to find some solace. I don’t expect Wyatt to have cooled down yet, but I don’t necessarily need to see him.

There she is.

Thank goodness.

The sight of Clara sitting on the porch as Thomas runs around finally brings a smile to my face. Even if she does look a little pale…

“Clara,” I call softly, trying not to disturb her too much.

She looks up, and a weak smile crosses her face. “Beau. What happened?”

I sit down next to her, my shoulders heavy with the weight of the world. “Dad’s going to sell the ranch,” I say, my voice raw with emotion. “Because I refused to kick you and Wyatt out.”

Clara’s eyes widen, and for a moment, she just stares at me, looking shocked. “He’s... he’s really going to sell it?” she whispers, her voice trembling.

I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. “Yeah. He thinks it’s the only way to save the ranch. He wants me to choose between the ranch and... andyou.”

Her expression shifts from shock to hurt, and she looks down at her hands. “I always knew we were a burden. I know people judged us because of my uncle, but I didn’t think it would come to this. I didn’t think it’d ever get that bad. Does Wyatt know that we’re pariahs at Silver Ridge?”

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