Page 15 of Rough
Remy starts shaking his head back and forth, denying the possibility. “Nope. No fuckin’ way.”
“Yes,” Murph hisses. “Yesfuckin’ way. I was there in the room with the lawyer and everythin’. That leech couldn’t have signed them papers fast enough, neither. She already got Donny to move all the cattle to her farm back when her Pap knocked off. Claimed some shit about it bein’ easier to handle them when your daddy got sick.”
“Dad would never have sold the farm!Never!It makes literally no sense at all! Mom just let him do it? What about her? She fuckin’ lives here!”Fuck. Remy is really losing it. He’s gripping his hair, tugging at the roots, and I want to knock out Wilder’s uncle for being so insensitive with the way he’s made this announcement. It should have come from Renee.
Murphy only shrugs, then sips at his coffee like he doesn’t have a care in the world. “No clue. But Betsy owns this landandthis house, I would assume, since it’s on the property. She could sell it if she got it in her head. She already turned your whole back field into some space aged solar energy shit for money. Acres of ‘em, just stretched out as far as the eye can see.” He eyes Remy, realizing that he’s about to go off the deep end, andsoftens his voice. “Don’t know why your daddy didn’t tell ya. But you ought to have words with her, Betsy I mean. I’m done takin’ orders from that woman, that’s for sure. Only ever did it for your dad.”
I’m struggling to believe that Betsy would take away Remy’s claim to the farm, but there’s not an ounce of dishonesty I can sense in the facts Murphy is putting on the table. Glancing at Wilder, I can see how furious he is for Remy, who’s vibrating under his skin.
“Oh, I’ll have fuckin’ words with her alright,” Remy hisses. Without looking at any of us, he storms out of the kitchen, but not before yelling, “We’re leavin’ in thirty!”
Chapter Six
Betsy
It’s been a couple of days since I got Remy’s horse, Zeus, saddled, and now that the guys are back home, they’ll be able to take their horses out for much needed exercise. I saw their SUV in the driveway when I left this morning. I figured I’d get Zeus warmed up for Remy before they take them out. I rode both Fielder and Baron, Clyde and Wilder’s horses, yesterday, but Zeusdefinitelyneeded to be run. He’s always been the most high-strung of the lot.
I moved the cattle out to my back field to allow the grass in the front field a chance to grow back in. It took all morning to corral them. Murphy never showed today, which was frustrating. He never even called to give me a head’s up. Thank God it’s Saturday. I had four high school boys, including Emmett and Jeff, out here to help.
Sitting on the back of Zeus, I can tell he’s ready to run off some energy, but I want to make sure my herd is settled before leaving them be. Lucy is running around, sniffing everything she can find while I watch them graze, and I click my tongue at her when she wanders off too far.
My cell buzzes in my back pocket, which I’m quick to grab it in case it’s Renee needing something. Tugging off my gloves, I pull it out and am surprised to see a text from Clyde.Fuck.I missed one from him yesterday as well, it would seem.
Where’s the cattle from Remy’s farm?
Frowning at his question, I quickly type out my response. It’s a weird thing to ask today of all days.
They’re over here. Been here for a bit. Why?
So, you’ve been working toward merging farms for a while then, huh?
I snort at that. Nowthat’sa ridiculous question. Since whenwasn’tthat the plan? Actually, I’m glad he’s bringing it up. A bubble of excitement fills me with the chance to tell him everything I’ve done, so when they decide to eventually come home, it’ll be an easy transition for them.
Once I sign the farm back over to Remy, I’ll offer to sell him my farm as well. I’ve never wanted to own a farm alone. I just like working one. These past few years have been absolute hell.
Of course I was! That was always the plan.
After sending that, I immediately start a new one, but Clyde sends a response, forcing me to pause.
We’re on our way there now. Meet us out front.
Holy shit.Oh my God.It’s been so freakinglong!My grin is hurting my cheeks as I call Lucy and turn Zeus around. Kicking him softly, I lean over his neck as we sprint back to the farmhouse.
They’re on their way and I couldn’t be more thrilled to see them. I debated hanging around this morning, but knowing they got in during the early hours and would most likely sleep in, I left knowing I had to get to work.
The thundering hooves of Zeus soothe me as we fly through the field, and the two of us jump the fence between the front and back field. Lucy is sprinting next to us, her fur slicked back from the air blowing past her, tongue hanging out in happiness. A bubble of laughter explodes from me as we’re air born, loving the way Remy’s horse is always up for the challenge of higher jumps. Out of all of our horses, he’s the one that truly loves being let off his reins. He’s a daring boy, just like his owner.
My house comes into view in the distance, and within minutes, I can see bodies standing near the corral where I work out the horses during the day.
With my stomach twisting, my eyes fly over them, taking them all in. It’s been so long! Remy is standing closest, feet planted, and arms crossed across his chest.Good Lord, he’s… different. Grown.He has facial hair!
I barely register the woman standing amongst them with her phone held up as I yank back on Zeus’s reins. We skid to a stop, his chest heaving with the exertion of our run between my thighs. I give him a quick pat to his neck just as I’m about to dismount, when Remy’s angry hiss halts me.
“You took my horse, too?”
Remington Landry is glaring at me like I’m squished cow shit under his heel. I don’t know why he’s asking me this with so much hate. Frowning, I slow my descent from the saddle, and once my feet are on the ground, I gather the reins in one hand and tilt my head to the side. “Of course I have him.”
His snort is filled with so much sarcasm, I force myself not to step closer to him. My eyes wander over to Wilder, who’ssporting the same pissed off glare, then over to Clyde, whose face is blank of any discernable emotion.
