Page 60 of Here With You

Darryl stared at the land in front of him. “The buildings aren’t worth much. A hard wind might take them down. The land is worth millions. I’d say my share is about two and a half million.”

Miles looked around and knew his brother couldn’t see the value of the property, but Miles saw it through his and Emmaline’s eyes from thirty years ago. They used to ride horses and dream of a tourist ranch where they could do cattle drives, horseback rides, and chuck-wagon dinners.

“If I gave you two and a half million dollars to walk away, would you?”

His brother gawked at him before rolling his eyes. “You’re offering me millions to sign over my ranch share?”

He didn’t want to tip his hand just yet, but he wanted to plant the seed. “Let’s just pretend I had that kind of money.”

“Oh, I see. This is just pretending. Okay then. My pretend answer would be yes. I’d give it to you for a million. Hell, I’d probably pay you to take it. Who wants a legacy weighing them down?”

He’d been disconnected from his family’s legacy for decades and missed it. “What would you do?”

Darryl whistled and smiled. “First, I’d get drunk, and then I’d buy myself a brand-new truck, and I’d travel. I’ve never left the state of Texas. Hell, as far as I know, there’s nothing past its borders.”

He understood. He hadn’t left the state until they kicked him off the ranch. “I can guarantee there’s a world beyond Texas.”

“It’s good that Mom isn’t around to hear such blasphemy.” A sadness fell over Darryl, and Miles imagined he was crying on the inside where it was allowed.

For Miles, he’d already processed the death of his family long ago. That didn’t mean he wasn’t feeling its permanence, but he’d mourned their loss all those years ago.

“Are you going to be okay?”

Darryl nodded. “It’ll take some getting used to.” Then he smiled. “But my earlobes are grateful.”

Miles rose from the step. “Are you returning to the resort or staying here?”

Darryl drug himself up by the handrail. “I think it’s too soon to stay here alone. I’ll think about her laying there withThe Price is Rightplaying in the background.”

“Let me get the keys. I’ll meet you at Cormac’s truck.” Miles entered the house. It smelled like dusty curtains and death. Anyone who told him death didn’t have a smell had never experienced it. It was sadness, anger, and unfulfilled dreams mixed and left in the sun to rot. Love gone wrong, unresolved family disputes, and dreams died on the tip of a tongue because things like lack of money or time stole them. Death was a reminder of how precious life was. Each time he experienced it, he reminded himself that his only purpose was to love and live.

He took the keys from the hook and gave the house a final glance. “Goodbye, Mama. I’ll miss you.” He swiped away the tear running down his cheek and closed the door behind him.

The drive was mostly silent until Darryl asked, “You and Emmaline back together?”

After this week, he could solidly say yes. “We make a great team.”

Darryl nodded. “I always thought so. I was jealous of what you two had. I never had that.”

“I thought you and Sherry were in love.” He didn’t want to point out that Cormac was born six months after they wed.

“I loved her, but it wasn’t the kind of love that soaks into your cells. How did you stay away for all these years?”

“Mostly, it was self-preservation. It’s easier to do without something if it’s not there tempting you every day.” He drove through Main Street and turned onto the coastal highway. “Are we okay?” He knew he and Darryl would never be close. His father had ensured that, but maybe they could be in the same room and not want to kill one another.

“I’ll always dislike you, but I think for Mom’s sake, I’ll tolerate you.” He shifted his jaw. “Where did you learn how to punch like that?”

Miles glanced at him. “I learned from you.”

He rubbed his chin. “I taught you too damn well.”

“It was an on-the-job learning experience.” It seemed like all they did as kids was fight, and being the older brother, Darryl had the upper hand. He was bigger, meaner, and had more experience. “Clean up, and I’ll treat you to room service.”

Darryl laughed. “I won’t be a cheap date. I see a lot of expensive alcohol and a steak coming my way.”

“I can afford you.”

“That’s right. You won the lottery.”

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