Page 28 of Rancher's Heart

Tossing my gloves on to the pile of saddle blankets I ran out to the truck when my phone buzzed again. Brushing the dirt off my shoulder, I probably should have taken the time to change but I didn’t want to keep him waiting.

Parker: Stop using punctuation when you text

Me: Never!!!!!!!

I couldn’t help the grin on my face, even though there was a nagging about why he needed someone at school. Hitting the call button on the steering wheel, “call Ryder.” I said peeling out of the yard. The guys would come back and find me gone and I didn’t need the crazy coming out in all of them.

“Hey.”

“Parker called he needs someone to come to the school so I’m on my way.”

“You know what’s going on?”

“No, all I know is that Elle’s working and his dad’s gone so he needs someone.”

“Let us know if you need backup.”

“Will do.” The line went dead and the radio came back on. I wished the school was closer as I stepped on the gas pedal, andthe truck thundered down the gravel road, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.

The truck lurched as I shifted into park before the tires had stopped rolling. Jumping out, I slammed the door and marched into the school. Parker was a good kid, and he wouldn’t call me if everything was fine.

“Mr. Harp, may I help you?” Kendra Hawks smiled up at me from her desk. I’d gone out with her once, and she’d promptly started planning our wedding and deciding how many kids we’d have. She might have even started plans for our home, too. I had to let her down easy and the hearts in her eyes as she gazed up at me made me think she still planned on getting all her wishes.

“Where’s Parker Greggory?” My words firm, and the slight frown on her face was better than the love and devotion.

“He’s in the office, I’m not sure…” I cut her off when I turned and walked back into the principal’s office.

As I opened the door, my eyes fell on Parker first, slumped in the chair he was in, his head resting on his palm. He looked up at me, and I saw a red outline around his eyes and fear within them. Clenching my jaw, it took everything in me not to pull that man sitting across from him over his desk and start wailing on him.

“Mr. Harp, this is a surprise. How can I help you?”

“I’m here because Parker asked me to be.” Fumbling through the sign language, I needed to slow down but seeing him looking so small and lost made my blood boil.

The man never rose from his seat but waved his hands at me. “Oh, this is a family matter.”

“He and his mother are living in my home, so that makes him my family.” I watch Parker sit a little straighter. “Now, what seems to be the problem?” I sat next to the boy I just said was my family, and I put my arm across the back of his chair. It wasn’tgood for signing, but he needed to know I’d support him. I’d fight for him.

“There was an altercation today between Parker and another student. They got into a fight.”

“NO,” Parker said, snapping his fingers together repeatedly as he turned to look at me and that’s when I noticed his implant dangling. His hands flew, and I knew I was missing words.

“Parker, slow down.” I said, and signed. “Did you get into a fight?”

He made a fist with his hand and motioned yes.

“Okay, why?”

“I will tell you, Mr. Harp.” I was ready to snap this pencil-necked man’s head off if he interrupted me one more time.

“No, I want to hear this from Parker,” I said, turning to the principal, glaring at him, then looking back at Parker.

“Bobby Warner told me mom was a whore because we’d moved in with you, and she was just looking for money. So, I told him that’s not how it was, and he kept saying it. I told him to fuck off. Well, I guess he didn’t like that, and that’s when we fought.”He slowly got his explanation out.

“What happened here?”I pointed at his implant.

“Bobby ripped it out.”

“So you’re blaming this all on my boy?” I signed the words as I spoke so Parker would know what I was saying. "What’s going on with Bobby?”

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