Page 29 of Wildest Forever

This was my chance to become my own person, and Morgan Wheeler was going to be the one to do that.

I hoped.

Closing the back of the truck, I dusted my hands off and looked over at my family’s ranch, the sun lowering slightly between the peaks of the mountains and I spot Riggs and Tripp in the distance as they ride back down. I needed to get my horse over to Cottonwheel but I'll sort that in the next few days.

My mom creeps up behind me, the sound of her feet crunching over the shingle has me looking down, a soft smile gracing my lips as she stands next to me.

“You ready for this?” she asks as she leans into me, my arm lifting so she rests her head on the side of my ribs.

“Not one bit,” I admit, my exhale shaky.

“It'll be okay, you will get on perfectly with Morgan, I really do believe that,” and I look down at her, but she doesn't look up at me, she is watching her two sons gallop on down the field to meet us.

“Yeah?” I mumble as my own sights drift to my brothers.

“Yeah,” and her voice doesn't even tremble.

“I hope so ma,” I whisper just as Riggs slows down in front of me, tinted glasses on, a smirk on his face.

“You all packed up?” he eyes the truck, and I give a steady nod.

“Do you need help getting it over?”

“Nope, think I've got it,” and I lift my arm from my mom and step aside.

“Do you want me to bring Chase over?” he asks as he looks at the stables and I shake my head.

“I'll collect him tomorrow maybe, can't leave him here with you two, he'll get chubby and never be worked.” I scoff a laugh and Tripp chuckles beside Riggs.

“Of course we would work him, probably more than you will over at Cottonwheel.”

“Hey, he will work wonders over there,” I smirk and fish my keys out of my pocket.

“Never thought I would see the day when our kid brother was leaving the nest.”

That's when all eyes move to my mom; she's sniffling.

My heart throbs inside my chest.

“Ma,” I rasp as I close the gap between us, wrapping my arms around her as she silently sobs into my chest.

“I am so proud of you for stepping up like this... but at the same time,” and she can't even finish her sentence before she is sobbing into my tee.

“I know, I know,” I whisper, my hand stroking the back of her head and I gaze my eyes up to Riggs and Tripp. Riggs gives Tripp a nod as he swings his leg over the back of Travis and hops down just as I roll my mom into Tripp's arms.

“I just feel like if none of this would have happened... then you wouldn't have to move out,” she lifts her head from Tripp's chest and her glassy green eyes are on me.

“I know ma, but look, you still have Tripp home, and Dixie and Lainey.”

A ghost of a smile graces her lips.

“I know he isn't the favorite, but I will be home every Sunday for dinner, I will pop in all the time, plus, it's not going to be forever is it,” I soften my gaze on her as I tilt my head to look at her. I feel awful for leaving her, but I have to do this. She understands that, I know she does, but it still doesn't make this any easier.

One day it'll just be her rattling around in this big old house, but I am hoping Dixie doesn't want to move back into her childhood home and they choose to stay here, then when Ma is reunited with dad again, they can keep our legacy going, or if they don't, I'm sure I’ll be back, single and childless.

“Are you okay?” I ask as I look at my mom, Tripp still holding onto her.

“Yes,” she smiles at me and steps away from Tripp's grasp, glancing over at Riggs before she closes the gap between us.“Don't forget who you are Pacey, shoot for the stars and don't settle for anything less okay?” her hand is on my cheek. “Do what you have to do, but don't lose yourself whilst you're trying to help someone else,” and I nod, giving her a smile.

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