Page 69 of A Love So Sweet
“Leave it alone, Treat,” Hugh said as he approached from behind. He set plates and silverware on the table. “Rex seems tough, but he’s not as tough as you might think. He’s having a hard time with Dad’s health issues.”
Treat shot another glance at Rex, who was looking everywhere except at his father, while his father’s attention never wavered from Rex’s face.
“Why wouldn’t he tell me? We worked in the field together for hours and all he did was snap at me.”
Hugh shrugged.
“Wouldyoutell you?” Josh asked. He brought the burgers to the table and motioned for everyone to sit down. “Think about it, Treat. He’s here every day, slaving to help keep the family business alive, and suddenly you sweep in and expect him to just accept it. Meanwhile, the one person he loves the most lands in the hospital. It’s a lot to deal with.”
I failed him again?“So, what? I should have asked his permission to come back to my own family’s ranch and help out? I thought it was what he wanted all these years.”
His three siblings exchanged a look that said perhaps that’sexactlywhat he should have done. “All right. I get it. I’ll talk to him.” He started for the barn.
“Treat!” Savannah hollered. “He’s hurting. Please don’t push him. You know Rex. When he’s ready, he’ll open up to you. He always does.”
When it came to his siblings, hurting them was the last thing he ever wanted to do. His father and Rex headed toward them, and Treat turned away. Was he doing more harm than good by being there?
A few minutes later Rex and Hal joined them at the table. Rex snagged a burger and bun, eyeing the rest of the food.
“Dad, you have a follow-up with Ben next week. I’ll take you,” Treat offered.
“I’ve got it covered,” Rex said gruffly.
“Rex’ll take me. Tell me what’s happening with that pretty little gal I met,” his father said, clearly trying to steer clear of the whole Rex situation.
He’d stirred the hornet’s nest with Rex, and now it was his turn to wait it out—just like Rex had for the past fifteen years.
“Not much to tell. She’s on her way back into town, and every minute she’s away feels like a frigging year.” He stabbed at the steak Savannah had dished onto his plate, anxious to see her.
“So take that lame behind of yours and go get her,” Rex said, and followed it up with a big bite of his burger. “What are you afraid of?”
“Nothing scares me, little brother. I’m here fighting the demons that have strangled me for years, which is more than I can say for you.” He knew he shouldn’t push Rex, especially with his entire family watching them, but he was agitated and sick of playing games.
Rex rose to his feet. “What’s that supposed to mean? I’m here every single day, taking care of the family business, while you’re out doing whatever you please. At least I didn’t abandon Dad.”
Treat felt his father’s eyes on him. Their siblings watched without a hint of stress, and Treat realized that they must have known what was eating at Rex the whole time. His father slowly rose to his feet but made no move to come between them.
“Iapologizedfor leaving last night. Remember? You walked out on me. And while you were building your life here, I built mine.” Treat pushed to his feet, too, meeting his brother’s angry glare.
“Right. You travel endlessly. You live a life of leisure while I hold down therealjob.”
“I’m not going to get into a pissing match with you about my career versus yours. What’s this really about?” Treat closed the distance between them.
“Youleft, leaving me to figure out how to hold things together.”
Treat had the urge to grab his brother’s enormous shoulders and shake him until he spit out whatever he was holding back. “Dane’s older than you—it wasn’tyourjob to hold them together.”
“Dane was a mess, and he had no interest in working on the ranch. I was fifteen! How was I supposed to watch over the other three kidsandtake care of the ranch—and Dad? Fifteen, Treat.Fif-teen!” His eyes flashed with a rage.
Treat stared down at him. “I went to school, Rex. It was what I wassupposedto do. That wasDad’splan for me.” He stilled as the truth of his own words sank in.It was Dad’s plan for me. It’s true.He looked at his father, and confirmation shone in his eyes. He’d known all along what Treat was struggling with, but as always, he’d let him come around to it on his own.Holy sh…How could I have repressed that for so long?
Rex twisted out of his grip, and Treat planted his feet in the ground, readying for the blow that was sure to come as Rex’s hands fisted.
“I came home every time you called, Rex.”
Rex’s nostrils flared. “No, you didn’t.”
“What are you talking about?”
