Page 19 of Ashes of the Past
I kneel beside my dad’s chair and take his hand.
“How are you feeling?” I ask softly.
He shrugs, his shoulders slumping. “I’m fine, Brynn. You don’t need to fuss over me.”
But I do. Because every day, I see a little more of the man he used to be slipping away. And every day, I wonder how much longer I can keep pretending that everything is fine.
“Okay, let me get you that coffee.”
I stand and walk into the kitchen, fighting back the tears that want to fall. I can’t cry in front of my dad or Olivia, and I sure as hell can’t let any of the ranch hands walk in and see me crying, so I’ll push this down with everything else and deal with it later.
I start the coffee and then lean against the counter. I close my eyes, cross my arms in front of my chest, and focus on breathing and clearing out all the noise in my head.
Jack being the loudest noise of all. Damn, why does he have to be such a good kisser?
The smell of coffee fills the kitchen as I pour a fresh pot into my dad’s favorite mug. He’s been working too hard lately, and while he won’t admit it, I know he’s been struggling to keep up with everything. I’m not a fan of him hiring Jack, but maybe, maybe doing so will bring my dad back to me.
But Jack is… difficult. Intense. He has this way of taking over like he’s the one who owns the place. And after that kiss earlier, I don’t know what to think. My cheeks flush, just remembering the way his lips felt on mine, the way my body betrayed me, melting into him when I should’ve shoved him away.
Heat pools between my thighs, and I close my eyes to try and think of anything else.
If my vagina could get it together, that would be great.
I shake my head, trying to push the memory aside. I don’t have time for this.
The screen door slams open, and I nearly spill the coffee as Lane storms into the house, his face red and his fists clenched.
“Where is John?” Lane barks, his voice echoing through the kitchen.
I freeze, the mug halfway to the counter. “What are you yelling about?”
“Jack!” Lane growls, stomping past me and into the living room. “Your dad needs to know about that asshole!”
I follow him, my heart pounding. My dad looks up from his recliner, startled, as Lane bursts into the room.
“What the hell is going on?” Dad asks, sitting up straight.
“That son of a bitch just fired me!” Lane shouts, his voice shaking with anger. “He stormed into the barn, screaming and cussing at us like we were a bunch of idiots. And then he fired me. Me! After everything I’ve done for this ranch.”
Dad starts to rise, his expression darkening, but I step between them, holding up a hand. “Wait. Let’s calm down and talk about this. Lane, what happened?”
He takes a deep breath, his hands trembling as he points toward the barn. “We were working, fixing the tools, and getting ready to head out to the south fence. And Jack comes in, yelling about how we’re lazy and useless. He said I was letting you do all the work, and then—” He hesitates, his eyes flicking to my dad for a split second before landing on me. “And then he said you’re a worthless woman who doesn’t belong out there. That you should be in the kitchen where you belong.”
I gasp. The words hit hard.
Damn, did I really kiss a misogynistic asshole? My radar is off.
My chest tightens, and heat rushes to my face. “He said that?” I ask, my voice low and dangerous.
Lane nods emphatically; his eyes dart away quickly. My eyes narrow at the quick tell.
“Yeah. He said you’re nothing but a distraction that you don’t have any business running a ranch.”
My hands clench into fists at my sides.
How dare he? Who does Jack think he is, coming onto our ranch, insulting me, and firing people without so much as a discussion?
“I’ll take care of this,” I hiss as I spin on my heel.
