Page 63 of Every Single Wildflower
Emmett practically vibrates with anger. “He’s been trying to buy us out for years. My money is on him setting that fire, knowing we can’t prove it. He did it so we can’t get the insurance pay out. With all the back taxes on this place….”
“Shit,” I mutter.
I had no idea it had gotten that bad.
“He’s trying to force my hand,” Emmett says.
“We all know Rocky doesn’t do the dirty work,” Ryder offers. “If he’s behind it, he paid someone off.”
“I agree,” Cooper adds. “He’s slick. He won’t take a chance on tarnishing that fake ass reputation.”
“What do you want us to do?” I ask. “Are we doing this off the record?”
“I’m not one to play dirty, but come after my family,lawfulis off the table. We aren’t playing fair anymore.”
“We’ll handle it.” I look to Ryder.
“Let us feel it out.” He tells his father.
“This time, I’ll agree to step back. Your mother has me on a strict schedule. I had to get Sam to sneak me out here while her and Penelope went to the grocery store.”
Cooper snickers. “And here I got my ass whipped with a twig for sneaking out.”
Emmett gives him a pointed look. “Yeah, and look what good that did.”
Laughs filter around before Emmett leaves the barn. We walk to the entrance, stepping out into the hot Texas sun.
“How do we want to play this boys?” Cooper asks.
I glance at Ryder who stares out at the empty pasture. “Something tells me he wouldn’t chance physical evidence being found.”
“So where do we start?” Cooper asks.
I know exactly where. The one who made the call.
Warren.
Chapter forty-seven
Ivy
I’m inside Sugarfoot’s stall, running my fingers through her soft mane when I hear a throat clear. My father steps up to the stall, a smile on his face.
“You always loved horses. Ever since you were a baby.” He reaches out across the gate to pet her neck. “Anytime your mama brought you out when we were working cattle you’d cry until she put you on the horse with me.”
“I guess I never outgrew it.” I shrug a shoulder.
“No. But you did grow up,” he says, his eyes growing glassy.
I guess this is happening.
“Dad.” I suck in a sharp breath.
He holds up a hand. “Let me get this out. It needs to be said.”
I nod, continuing to keep my hands busy stroking Sugarfoot’s back.
“I owe you an apology. I was wrong,” he chokes out. “I was wrong to ask you not to tell your mother about me and Jamie. I was wrong for what I did. I was wrong for allowing my fear of the consequence to land on you.”
