Cowboy Daddy (The Single Brothers 4)

** Cowboy Daddy is a 25,000 word novella, suitable for 18+ readers.

Chapter One

Jason

I got up early to go to work, just like every other day. I knew it was different, though. I just didn’t want to think about it. I didn’t have time for breakfast, so I stopped by a café on the way for a coffee that would tide me over until it was time for lunch. Just like always.

Once I arrived at work, though, it was obvious I couldn’t hide or ignore what had happened. My business was thriving, and that was all I wanted to think about. But it was hard to when the people that worked for me kept staring at me like they expected me to fall over.

I ignored them the best I could. Even when they stopped talking every time I passed by. Even when several people asked me how I was doing too many times before lunch. I pushed it all away.

Then, the call came.

What does he want now?

That was the thought in my mind when my phone rang, and I saw my grandpa’s name on the screen. He was perhaps the last person I expected or wanted, to hear from. He barely paid much attention to me, so after the surprise, I was annoyed.

I picked the call up anyway because I wasn’t that rude. He spoke first.

“Jason, when are you coming home!”

It wasn’t a question, but a demand. I thinned my lips and thought twice about tossing out the words I wanted to say. None of them would have been respectful. I took a couple of breaths to cool myself down before speaking.

“Was there something you wanted, Grandpa Nathan?”

He scoffed. “Don’t get cute with me, boy. Just answer the question.”

I closed my eyes. “As far as I know, Grandpa, my home is here. I have a business to run, and I’m too busy at the moment to cut short for a visit.”

“I expect you in two days, Jason.”

I fisted my hand where it lay on the desk, again trying to control myself.

He’d always been like that. Every time I talked, it was like I was air. He heard nothing, but expected to be heard. More than that, he expected to be obeyed. I’d lived for a while without listening to his orders once I left home, though. I was not ready to go back to just doing whatever he said.

In front of my grandpa, of all people, I could not allow myself to show weakness. He wasn’t all I was thinking about at the time, of course, but when I started my business and built it up to the success it currently was, I’d imagined showing it to my grandpa to show him just what I could achieve even without him. He thought himself so great; I could become greater. Only then would I not have to take his orders.

“I’m afraid two days is a little short notice for me,” I said firmly. “I’ll have to check out my schedule, maybe free up some time before I could come down for a visit. And even then it can’t be for long. I’ve been out of the office for some time; I have to make up for it.”

There was another scoff. “Can I ask you why you could take time away from your office when you can’t even do it to come and see your grandpa?”

I tightened my lips, but for another reason besides my grandpa’s tone.

No, I didn’t want to tell him why. I didn’t know how he would react, but it wouldn’t be good for me.

The reason why I’d been out of the office for any length of time, the reason why when I did come back, my employees and colleagues were acting weird. The one thing I’d been trying to put out of my mind for the last several days.

My life was in danger. I wasn’t sure from what or who, and that was the worrying part. The part that I was trying very hard not to worry about.

Any other time, I wouldn’t have cared if someone outright threatened me. It had happened plenty of times. But I was focused, and I wouldn’t let anyone stand in my way. I just didn’t care. It was kind of hard to, though, when it meant putting my life on the line. Someone made me realize just what I was putting on the line because I hadn’t before.

“I’m sorry, Grandpa,” I said on automatic, my voice flat. “I’m a little busy at the moment. I’ll come visit some other time.”

“I would like to talk to you, Jason,” he said. “Just imagine it’s an important discussion and make time. Soon.”

He cut off the call, and all I could do was sigh. Suddenly, I was too exhausted even to get angry. Because now that I’d thought of it, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

There was a knock on my door minutes later that woke me up from my revelry. I sat up straight and tried to fix my expression.

“Come in,” I called, all the excess, unnecessary emotions pushed behind a wall.

“Excuse me, sir.” It was one of my employees. “I have some documents for you to look over and sign, sir? They’re needed in an hour.”

I waved her inside, and she came over. She handed me a folder, and I set it down in front of me. I picked up a pen and quickly skimmed over the documents, signing where needed. Ten minutes later, I was done, and I handed the folder back to her.

“Thank you, sir,” she said with a smile, taking back the documents. She walked out of my office in a hurry.

Once I was alone again, I sighed and slumped back into my seat. I hadn’t signed my name that many times, but my hands were trembling. My heart was beating a little too fast, too.

Maybe…it was a sign that I wasn’t as ready to come back to work as I’d thought. I had figured I could take a short break and come back fine. It hadn’t even been that long, less than a week. I thought I was still the old me, always in control and on top of everything.

It was just a lie that I told myself, one that crumpled quickly.

“This won’t be easy just to ignore,” I muttered to myself, leaning my head back and s

ighing. I blinked up at the ceiling. “Maybe… I could just visit, for a couple of days. Work can wait a bit longer.”

It might be what I needed, some time away instead of just hiding away at my home and thinking that would help anything. I tended to anger a lot of people in my line of work and with my tenacity to succeed, and clearly, this one time I’d pissed off one too many.

Decided, I got up. I picked up my coat that I’d thrown over the back of my seat when I arrived, then took my untouched cup of coffee that would have cooled down already. I didn’t tell anyone where I was going. They could just think I’d gone for lunch or whatever; I didn’t even care. I was suddenly in a hurry, locking my office and walking out to my car.

I might as well get back home, maybe catch some sleep. I could make the trip overnight and be there in the morning. I didn’t need to pack much because I wouldn’t be staying long.

I was only doing it so I could get some time off from running my empire. Something that I enjoyed getting it off the ground and now that it practically runs itself. I struggle to find the same enjoyment. I just know that I’m not here, because Grandpa ordered me to come here.