Page 20 of Her Cowboy Blind Date

Sam could sell his house in Gilead, which only had a small mortgage owing. He could invest more funds in the ranch or do something else with the house sale proceeds. Big decisions. He’d need to seek independent financial advice.

He slowed the mare to a gentle walk and turned to his uncle. “I’ve been thinking over our conversation. Am I right in assuming I could let the inheritance roll along and stay in Gilead?”

“That’s correct. Your grandfather set up his will to ensure you’d have the option to work on the ranch if that’s what you wanted. The ranch can absorb the cost of your mother selling more of her share.”

“What do you mean? Has she previously sold her shares?”

Uncle Joe steered his horse closer, facing him, his expression serious. “I thought you knew.”

He shook his head, pulling down his hat rim to block the sun. “When?”

“A few times over the years.”

“Since Dad’s accident.” The puzzle pieces were jolting into place like an earthquake shifting the ground. Dad had avoided visiting the ranch and avoided seeing Mom’s family for a reason.

“Since she moved back to Kansas. Most years she’s chipped away at her share, needing extra funds for stuff.”

That stuff would have included the cost of raising him. At least Mom hadn’t been burdened with college tuition. Money was tight when Sam was growing up, and getting a college education had never been on his radar. Academic pursuits weren’t his thing.

Dad’s physical injuries from the workplace accident may have healed, but the debilitating depression and anxiety remained. Maybe those health issues had always been there, and the work accident had exacerbated the situation.

The upshot was Dad hadn’t returned to work full-time and had only worked the occasional odd job. Mom and the ranch had saved their family from financial ruin.

“Why didn’t Mom tell me?”

His uncle stroked his beard, his gaze thoughtful. “Your parents are proud people. Especially your dad. He wouldn’t be happy about our conversation.”

He nodded. “So Mom’s inheritance is smaller now.”

“It doesn’t matter. She can move back to the ranch. Anytime. Our door is always open.”

“Thanks for telling me the truth.” Mom’s family were an open book and believed in straight talking. His relationship with Dad was complicated. Dad wouldn’t discuss the ranch, or Sam’s inheritance.

“You deserve the truth, son.”

Sam groaned. “A whole lot of stuff makes sense now.” He could read between the lines. Uncle Joe wasn’t happy about Mom’s financial decisions or his father’s role in why Mom had gradually sold off her share in the ranch.

Dad had been a bigger burden on the family finances than Sam had realized. If Dad had recovered fully from his workplace injuries, and not wallowed in depression and relying on Mom to carry the financial burden, their retirement situation would be a different story.

Now their decision to downsize last year made sense. Their decision to move to a smaller home in a town near Wichita where Dad had grown up made sense. Dad’s reluctance to visit Colorado made sense. The spike in tension in his parents’ marriage also made sense.

His horse skittered. She could probably feel the stress in his body. Perceptive creature. A bolting horse wasn’t what he needed.

“Easy girl.” He stroked the mare’s neck, calming her with soft words.

“I’d no idea things were that bad financially for my parents,” Sam said.

Uncle Joe stared off into the distance. “I’m often not in agreement with your father. We’ve had our differences, and I’ve always tried to do right by you and my sister.”

He’d long suspected Dad was jealous of Uncle Joe, and jealous of Sam’s close relationship with Mom’s Colorado family — an undeniable truth that had added unnecessary complications to their extended family relationships.

Sam continued stroking the mare’s neck. “I’ve tried to stay out of it, and not land in the middle.”

“Your mother will make good decisions. I’ve always made sure she’s okay.”

“I appreciate your support.” Making lemonade from lemons was Mom’s specialty, both literally and figuratively.

“You’re like a son to me, Sam. Please know you aren’t wedded to living here, now or in the future. You want to build a house and put down roots. I understand that, but the house could be a vacation home. You could stay in Gilead, or live somewhere else.”

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