Page 51 of Mister Cowboy
Dear Son,
Well, today you left home. I suppose I should be proud and happy that you are moving on to get an education, but instead, I’m filled with sadness knowing you will never live the type of life that I have. Now, I know you and your mother both believe that there’s so much more than the life of a rancher, but it’s a simple life filled with hard work and good people. I think you had it better here than you’ll ever find out there, but that will be for you to decide on your own.
I also feel regret. I haven’t always been the best father to you, and I know there are some things I should have told you long ago, but I’ve loved you every minute of every day since you were born. I hope someday that you can forgive my mistakes and my love will be enough.
Love,
Dad
Hands shaking, she turned the page and then another. She skimmed the dates and greetings—they were all addressed to his son and they spanned from 2000 to late last year. Closing the book, she hugged it to her chest.
The vibrating ring against the hard wood floor startled her and she almost dropped the journal in her scramble to get to her phone.
“Hello,” she answered, her voice sounding strained even to her own ears.
“I’m coming with Edward to pick you up. Are we still on for dinner?”
The business dinner. She’d completely forgotten.
“Sure.” She fought to steady her breathing as she realized that the mess of last night was forgotten, forgiven. “Yes. I’m sorry about last night.”
“You can make it up to me after dinner. I’ll see you in five,” he said with a chuckle.
Her hands worked quickly as she placed everything but the journal in the boxes and returned the drawers to the nightstand.
28
Brecken
Walkingup to his childhood house always made him a bit nostalgic. Today was no different. The wooden stairs creaked under his weight, and as he placed a hand on the knob, he half expected to open the door and see his mother rushing to greet him. Almost expected to be met with the smell of vanilla and hairspray as she hugged him, talking a mile a minute as she gushed, asking question after question without pausing for an answer.
Steeling himself for the empty home he knew was on the other side of the door, he pushed it open. It no longer smelled like it had when his mother was alive. Her potpourri and scented candles were gone. It was nothing but a shell of the house that he remembered.
Voices carried from the kitchen, and he followed them, hoping to find January. As he drew closer, the voices became clearer, and he stopped in his tracks as he placed their owners.
“What are you doing here?”
Henry wasn’t as big as he remembered. Maybe because Brecken had grown a good three inches and put on twenty pounds since the last time he’d seen him or maybe because he had built him up as so much more in his memory.
“Brecken, good to see you.” Henry’s smile faded as he took in Brecken’s menacing stance. “I didn’t think you’d be here. I wanted to surprise Mom.”
“This isn’t your home.”
January appeared around the corner and walked slowly into the room.
“Hi.” She looked up at Brecken before turning her attention to Henry and Louisa. Her eyes lit up as she studied Henry’s face. “Oh my goodness, you must be Henry. Louisa has told me all about you. It’s wonderful to meet you.”
She took a step forward, but Brecken reached out and snagged her elbow. “We really should get going. Edward is waiting.”
Eyebrows furrowed, she didn’t pull from his grasp, but she spoke directly to Henry with more sweetness in her tone than before.
“Pleasure to meet you. I hope to see you again when we’re in less of a rush.”
Henry only nodded as Brecken ushered January out as fast as he could. She didn’t speak until they were pulling out of the driveway onto the country road.
“What was that? You were really rude back there.” The disappointment in her voice stung, but his anger was stronger.
“He has no business in my house.”
