Page 29 of Javier

“I’ve wrestled with the banishment, especially now that Ransom is truly gone.”

“I see that, and expect it’s been more so since Memphis arrived.”

“Yes.”

“There is growth in tragedy, honey. Look at Rose. She’s remarkable. Whole. Happy. She has a full life. A wonderful marriage and children. A thriving business.”

He nodded.

“My advice to you is to live, really live. You hold back from doing so. Break the chains that confine your heart and mind. You’re emotionally stronger than you think. Throw the past into the river and let it wash away. You’ve been given an incredible opportunity, the gift of Memphis.”

His head snapped up at that.“What are you talking about?”

“There’s a reason that Ransom and Lindy named her Memphis.”

The hair on the back of his neck rose, but he shrugged.“Memphis told me she was born in Memphis, which is her namesake. Makes sense, right? People name their kids for where they’re conceived or born all the time.”

“It was more than that, Javi. Memphis means beautiful andenduring.Lasting.Her name was important to Ransom. Although not his blood, she was his future and a connection to his past.”

“Mom, how do you know all of this?”

“Ransom contacted me after Lindy died. He hit rock bottom. A frightening place to be with a newborn and a toddler. Lindy’s parents were grieving, too. I went down there for a while to help. It was the best medicine for him and me.”

Shell-shocked didn’t begin to express what he was feeling. “You saw him? You’ve been to the ranch?”

“Yes. Just that once. For about a month. It was the last time I saw him. Any of them, until Memphis arrived in Torch River. You’re the first to know. You see, I have my secrets, too. We all do. I met Hank and Myra Fuller, who were Memphis’s and Eben’s grandparents. What good people they were. Salt of the earth. Myra was gentle and sweet, a redhead like her daughter and granddaughter. Hank was one hell of a role model for Ransom. I saw such growth in him. I cried with them, and I listened. I held baby Eben because Ransom couldn’t. I took care of little Memphis because her father was broken. I was so grateful that he reached out.”

“I’m so grateful you went, Mom.” It was the truth. He pinched the bridge of his nose to staunch the tears. Only Daphne had ever seen him cry—before he became a teen, when he sliced open his thigh climbing over a barbed wire fence and had to have a ton of stitches to close the deep, long gash.

Fully absorbed and impacted by Daphne’s revelations, he was unaware that Memphis was behind him until he felt her arms wrap around from the back and squeeze tight. In one fluid moment, he reached around, pulled her into his lap, buried his face in the crook of her neck, and let the tears come.

“Good morning, sweetheart. You and Javi need some time. I think I’ll make a second breakfast.”

* * *

Daphne rejoined them, setting down a tray with bagels, a platter of fresh berries with a serving spoon, and a stack of small bowls and spoons. “I used up all the fruit, Javi.”

“That’s fine, Mom.”

Daphne filled a bowl with berries, slathered a bagel with cream cheese, and ate in silence, her eyes drifting between Memphis, who was comfortably ensconced on Javier’s lap, and the stack of photos. She wiped her hands and reached for them, taking her time looking. When finished, she glanced up. “The berries are delicious, perfectly ripe. Both of you should have some.”

Memphis pulled the note she had tucked into the pocket of the joggers and placed it on top of the photos, watching with interest as Daphne and Javier stared at it but made no move. She spooned a few large scoops of berries into a bowl, handed it to Javier with a smaller spoon, and then did the same for herself.

“Sorry that I eavesdropped on your conversation with Javier. I’m so happy Pops reached out to you, stayed in contact some. The note is from him. As you can see, it’s short and sweet. ‘My family. Muscle, a big presence, and rebellious. Gray Wolf.’ He wrote this shortly before he died. I wanted to share it with you. He believed that his family’s presence was the answer to Eben and I retaining the ranch. He told me as much just before he died. Daphne, earlier I shared with Javier that the timetable had been moved up. My brother and Arla, his fiancé, are getting married next weekend. A year ahead of what they planned. I’m leaving today to find out what the hell is going on and how I might address it.”

Javier’s hug was the encouragement she needed to continue. “Arla’s father has wanted our land for as long as I can remember. His interest became rabid after an oil deposit was discovered on our land. The estimate is that it’s worth billions. He’s been very aggressive, bordering on criminal. Even though Pops had a trust put in place long ago, and it seems ironclad, there are ways to break it if you are nasty, underhanded, and have connections. Trey Rooney ticks all of those boxes. Eben’s marriage to Arla is worrisome. She’s the apple of Trey’s eye. Pops believed Arla will influence Eben to take me to court to invalidate the trust.”

“Oh my. It sounds like we need to get down there, Javi. We’re going on a road trip.”

“We?”

“Of course. Do you think I am going to sit here on my ass and do nothing for Ransom and his children?”

“Not at all, Mom.”

“Call a meeting, please. I want to speak to our family and friends. The Narrows needs to make an impression.”

“Mom—”.”

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