Cowboy Daddy (The Single Brothers 4)

Rachel probably didn’t deserve it, but the first thing I felt when I caught sight of her, besides surprise, was annoyance.

“Don’t you dare take another step, Jason,” my grandpa barked.

Despite my better judgment, I did as he’d said. I didn’t even mean to do it; it was probably back on the ranch. I was thinking of a time when I listened to everything he said because I felt I didn’t have much of choice. I’d hated it even then.

“What is it, Grandpa Nathan,” I said without turning around. “Exactly what did you call me out here for?”

“Like I said, a discussion. You and I are going to have this talk, and don’t you dare think of leaving before then. You have a lot of responsibilities, and not just to your work. You need to start owning up if you don’t want to end up like your father.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, then walked forward. My steps were slower, though, measured. I only wanted to get to the living room; I wasn’t thinking of jumping back into my car and making the trip back to the city. I could make it back by evening.

But, we might as well have this talk, or he would probably just keep pestering me for it at some other time.

I sat down on the single seat, then watched as grandpa walked into the room and sat down on the couch. His face hadn’t changed much, and his hair was almost completely gray the last time I saw him, so I couldn’t even tell if that had changed. I did, however, notice how he moved much slower, as if he wasn’t as sure of himself. But, though his steps showed that, his hard expression made it seem like he hadn’t changed at all.

“I didn’t come here just so you can tell me all about my dad, did I, Grandpa Nathan?”

“Not entirely, but I feel like you need the lesson. Should I tell you all about your father so you can listen to everything else I have to say? Because I have a feeling you’re going to be stubborn about this.”

I snorted. If it had anything to do with Rachel, then yes, I probably was.

“So?” I prompted. “Tell me.”

He narrowed his eyes at me. “I had nothing against your father, but I hated how he lived his life. Many times I didn’t get involved because I thought he didn’t want or need me to. Surely he could have manned up on his own and set things right without needing to be told exactly how to do that.”

I pursed my lips, but didn’t interrupt. Still, I could already see where this was going.

“Your mother put up with a lot from your father. He wasn’t faithful to her, and from pretty early on, she knew of it. She talked to me about it. Even then, I didn’t let myself get involved too much. Because she loved him, she tolerated it and stayed, even though it made her miserable in the end.”

“And, what?” I asked, cutting in. “Am acting exactly like my dad?”

“Of course you are, Jason. I did nothing then, and I watched your parents fall apart, I refuse to make the same mistake twice. The way you’re behaving isn’t so far from him, and I want you to change. You are a grown-up, and you know it. You need to start acting like a man, Jason.”

I frowned without saying anything. I didn’t have that many great memories of my dad. Still, I thought he was taking it a little too far. I was nothing like my old man. That was pretty much an insult, second only to me acting a lot like my grandpa. Two people I never looked at as role models growing up, no matter what.

“That isn’t the only problem,” he went on. “There’s no other road left for me now. This ranch… I had hopes of leaving it to you. It has been my intention for a while now…but I’m hesitating because of how you’ve been acting.”

I arched my eyebrows, then scoffed. I stood up, feeling like I’d had enough. I didn’t leave immediately yet, though.

“If all you’re looking for is an heir, why not go look for Noah, instead, huh?” I sneered. “Isn’t he your favorite grandson, anyway? Frankly, I couldn’t give a damn, and I’m sure that idiot would just jump at the chance.”

He was mad. I could tell easily with the way he set his mouth; hands tightened into fists on his thighs. I left then, ignoring when I heard him rise and follow me.

“Jason!” he yelled. “Get your ass back here, Jason! You need to learn, and you can’t do that by running away all the time! Jason!”

I didn’t pay attention to what he was saying. I wasn’t running away, I never wanted to be there in the first place, he was just giving me a reason to leave early, and I couldn’t be happier. As much as I’d made the trip quickly, I hadn’t been looking forward to it. I was, however, looking forward to the trip back.

On the drive down, I’d realized that I belonged to the city. So I felt nothing but calm as I walked down the porch steps, got into my car, and left the ranch.

Chapter Four

Rachel

When a car that could only be Jason’s drove up to the front of the house, Nathan and I both heard it. The engine sounded too low, and most of the cars that ever came to the ranch were big cars or trucks. The sound of Jason’s engine was so low; we heard the tires driving up first when most trucks could be heard from quite a distance away.

And then, the front door was opening, and I heard his voice.

Jason…

How long had it been since I’d heard his voice? Longer than since I last saw him, and that had only been at a distance when he didn’t even notice I was there because I’d wanted it that way.

So why the fuck am I here, waiting for him to show up? Get up and run away, Rachel! He’s too close!

It was a little too late just to run away, though. I knew I wouldn’t make it, even if I went for the back door just a few feet away. Because I could hear his feet as he walked across the living room.

My body turned on its own the closer he got. I was nervous and afraid, but a part of me still very much wanted to see him. Even just a glimpse, though I’d probably be getting more than that. And then, he was there.

The moment I saw Jason in the doorway to the kitchen, it was like everything went still for me.

He looked no different from what I remembered, besides the fact he was wearing a suit with a trench coat over it, all in black, except for the white shirt and blue striped tie. His hair was styled to the side, and I couldn’t help thinking he looked good.

He was, however, not happy to see me. Like I’d expected.

Nathan stopped him from leaving, and they went into the living room to have their chat instead. Again, as expected, Jason left like it was nothing.

With Nathan’s last words to him still ringing in my ears, and the sound of his car driving away long gone, I got up.

My body had been trembling, but I was completely calm at that moment. I ignored the squeezing of my heart in my chest and went out to the living room, where Nathan still stood by the open door.

“He’s still the same jerk as always,” I muttered. “I guess some things just don’t change.”

Nathan didn’t even try to argue with me. He sighed, and I walked over to him. I wrapped my arm around his and tugged him with me as I went to sit down on the couch. He followed with steps as heavy as my heart.

“I’m sorry you had to hear that,” he said gruffly.

I just shrugged. “It’s not something I wasn’t expecting, Nathan. Don’t mind it. I just realized something that I should have been clued into already.”

He looked at me with sad eyes. “I always believed he didn’t deserve you, with how he was treating you.”

I laughed lightly, even as my heart gave a suspicious squeeze. “That’s fine, Nathan. I don’t remember what I ever saw in him if there was anything at all. This was bound to happen, but…I believe I’m better off.”

When Jason walked out of my life…it had been cruel, but in a way, it was also the best thing he could have done for me. I’d known we were over long before he told me, and there had been a part of me that had been relieved. Because I really hadn’t liked how he was treating me in the weeks before he left. If I’d had to put up with it for the rest of my life, I would have gotten sick of

it at some point.

After how he’d acted when he came here, clearly, those feelings weren’t wrong.

“I think it’s best if I leave now,” I said reluctantly. “I don’t want to leave you alone, but…”