Page 122 of Ride the Sky

“Two more. But…” Ruby’s teary gaze slips to Charlie.

“We’ve been payin’ out of pocket for some medicines that haven’t been approved yet. We ain’t got much more money,” Charlie says quietly. “Not enough to do the flower shop and pay for another round of IVF.”

“We have to give up,” Ruby finishes, her eyes landing on Duke.

“The fuck you do.” Ford frowns then looks to Davis. “There’s gotta be something.”

“Fuck,” Davis exhales. “I can get some money—”

But Charlie’s already shaking his head, even as Dakota’s nodding in support of her husband.

“I have money,” Reese says, face intent. “Lots of it.”

Charlie drags a hand over his beard. “No, we can’t let y’all do that.”

I shake my head. “Y’all are bein’ stupid. Stubborn. Take the fuckin’ money.” If we have to bully them into taking help, so be it.

“It’s not just the money. It took so long to find a surrogate here in Montana.” Ruby’s hopeful gaze flicks up to Charlie. “I could always try to get preg—”

“No,” he shoots back sternly. “You ain’t doin’ that, Sunflower. I won’t let you.”

Ruby sniffles. “It’s not fair.”

“That’s the shit thing of life, isn’t it.” Fallon’s voice is like a hot knife cutting the sadness. “Dreams don’t always work out, do they?”

Ruby goes still.

Charlie’s eyes darken.

Fallon tosses back her whiskey. “It’s life, Ruby. It’s not all gardens and sunshine and flowers. It fucking sucks. And the sooner you realize that not everything miraculously fixes itself, the better off you’ll be in this fucked-up life.”

Silence ripples around the table.

A sob erupts from Ruby’s mouth.

“Fallon,” Reese breathes. “How could you say that?”

Fallon’s hazel eyes flicker—remorse for hurting Ruby—but she blinks and it’s gone. She gives a cavalier shrug. “It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

My heart thunders. “Don’t say one more fuckin’ word,” I tell her, ready to toss her over my shoulder and haul ass outside before she does any more damage.

“Fallon,” Dakota snaps, slamming down her wine glass. “That’s enough.”

“You’re out of line,” Davis barks.

As if she’s felt the tension, Lainie, in her bassinet, whimpers.

“Maybe you should take a breather, cowgirl,” Ford suggests.

Both Reese and Dakota look overwhelmed.

Fallon rolls her eyes. “I don’t need a breather. What I need is another drink.”

Her hand slips from mine as she stands. Reese rises to help, but Fallon waves her off. Her booted footsteps echo through the house as she limps for the kitchen. I let her go. She needs to cool the fuck off.

Charlie throws a withering glance in Fallon’s direction and growls, “If she knows what’s good for her, she’ll stay in there.”

Ruby sniffles, her eyes bright with tears.

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