Risking It All

by Melissa Stevens

  “No women? No dating?”

  How was it Frost seemed to sense what Thorne wasn’t ready to talk about? Maybe the same way he’d known there was more to the courthouse story than his brother had been telling.

  “Not since Lynn.” It was Thorne’s turn to look away. He could only hope Frost assumed it was because he didn’t want to talk about Lynn. He didn’t but he’d rather talk about her than Nancy. Nancy wasn’t even a thing yet, even though he wanted it to be.

  Thankfully, Frost let it go.

  “How are Ma and Dad?”

  “You’d know if you called.”

  “I call every Saturday morning. All Ma talks about is the latest gossip in town, Yeats, Charlie and sometimes, you. I’m lucky if I can get more than a dozen words out of Dad.”

  Frost frowned when Thorne mentioned him, then laughed. “Yeah, Dad never had much use for the phone.”

  “I try to ask how they’re doing but Ma just says ‘fine, dear, fine’ then goes on with whatever the latest with Sally down at the store.”

  Frost frowned. “There’s not Sally at the store.”

  Thorne closed his eyes a second and fought the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. “I know. It was an example.”

  “Oh. I guess I should have realized that.”

  Becky brought their meals, made sure they didn’t need anything else then left them to eat.

  “What about you, you seeing anyone?” Thorne watched his brother, whose face slowly turned pink.

  “Didn’t Ma tell you?”

  “She tells me a lot of things. I also know that once you’re not living in their house, it’s easier to do things they’re not aware of.”

  “Are you saying I’d hide something like that from Ma and Dad?”

  “Not at all. I’m just asking if there’s anyone in your life, whether they know about them yet or not.”

  Frost watched him a moment with narrowed eyes, as if he suspected Thorne knew something. Knew? No, but he remembered what it was like being so close to their parents, especially Mom, who thought she needed to know, and tell you what she thought, about every tiny detail of your life. And why you might want to keep something, even something small, away from her, just so you didn’t have to hear what she thought.

  “Promise not to tell?”

  Thorne felt like he was still in high school, and not as the teacher anymore, but he understood where his brother was coming from.

  “I might listen to Mom, but I don’t spread gossip.”

  “I’ll tell her eventually, if anything comes of it. I just don’t want to deal with her until it’s an actual thing.”

  “Understood.” It was why Thorne hadn’t told Ma about Nancy yet. Well, that and there really was nothing to tell.

  “There’s this girl.” Frost picked at the mashed potatoes on his plate. “I’ve only talked to her a couple times in the last few months. I want to ask her out, but I’m not sure if I should.”

  “What’s stopping you? Why think you shouldn’t?”

  “Her dad. She doesn’t live with him anymore but he lives in the area and would make things difficult for us both. No one will ever be good enough for her in his eyes, I get that. I even understand it to an extent, but he really dislikes our family.” Frost sighed.

  “Do I know her?”

  Frost let his head hang a moment then looked up as if sneaking a peek at Thorne’s face.

  “It’s Jenny Hughes.”

  Thorne blinked but didn’t say anything for a moment. His last memory of Jenny Hughes was about a twelve-year-old tomboy in braids and jeans who’d just challenged his twenty-two-year-old self to a race. That couldn’t be what she looked like now, that was ten years ago or a little over.

  “Okay, a few things. I’m not trying to be critical here, but these are things you need to think about, or some of them are, the other is just my curiosity.”

  “Shoot.” Frost watched him full on now. It seemed like he’d been waiting for Thorne to berate him about who he was attracted to, and when he hadn’t, Frost was more willing to talk.

  “First, tell me more about her. I think the last time I saw her was just after I came back from UNM, that was ten years ago. She was still a kid then.”

  “She’s not a kid anymore.” Frost shook his head as a slow smile curved his lips. “She’s grown up well. In fact she’s only been back from UNM a few months herself. She got an ag degree, specializing in land management and business. She’s all set to take over her dad’s place. Not that he’s even considered it. He’s got his heart set on Robert or Simon carrying on the Hughes legacy when all they want to do is screw around, take short cuts and or do it the easy way. Ranching’s not about the easy way.”

  “That leads me into another question.” There was a small bit of pride in Thorne that when asked about Charlie, his brother didn’t talk about what she looked like. Instead he told him about things that mattered, like her education and goals.

  “All right.” Frost took a bite of the potatoes he’d been playing with and waited.

  “How’s she going to take you testifying against her brothers?”

  Frost sucked air between his teeth, making a low hissing noise.

  “That’s where it gets a little sticky.”

  Thorne remained quiet, eating his chicken fried steak while he waited for Frost to continue.

  “She says she hates them, she can’t stand them and she can’t wait for them to get what’s coming to them. Whether or not that’s true, remains to be seen.” He took a deep breath. “And how much she’ll blame me for being the one to turn them in, for testifying, well, that’s the real question isn’t it?” Frost’s tone had gone flat, almost sad.

  “Have you considered not testifying?”

  “I thought about it. It would make things a lot easier. I asked the County Attorney if he needed me. He said without my testimony they don’t have enough to convict them. Yes, they had possession of the missing cattle, but without my seeing them cut the fences, it could be excused as taking in strays. They hadn’t rebranded them yet, so the courts can’t prove they were stolen.”

  “So you’re going to testify.”

  “I have no choice.” Frost shrugged. “It’s either testify or let them go. If we let them go they’ll do it again, and someone might get hurt or even die next time.”

  His brother was right. Thorne knew it wasn’t always easy to do the right thing. He admired Frost a little more for sticking to his guns, even if it cost him the girl. And he understood why his brother wasn’t telling Ma about her, not until he knew one way or the other how she’d take his testifying against her brothers.

  “You do realize, even if she doesn’t blame you, her father will.”

  “I know. He’s going to blame me either way. I can’t let that matter.”

  “If they’re in prison, she’s the only one he’s got left to leave the ranch to.”

  “I don’t know if that will matter. You know how he is. ‘It’s a man’s job’ and all that shit. That girl’s been riding since she could walk and she does a hell of a lot better job of running a place than either of her shit head brothers could.”

  “She’s running a place already?” Thorne looked at him with renewed interest.

  “She’s managing the old Long place. The old man’s still there but he’s not up to staying on top of things anymore. It’s a good position. She’s got main control of everything but if she runs into an issue, he’s still around to ask for advice. Useful since her dad’s kind of useless. Sees her asking for advice as a weakness.”

  Thorne could only shake his head. People like Preston were part of why it was so difficult to get his kids, and he thought of all his students as his kids, to ask for help when they needed it.

  They spent the rest of the meal catching up, not that Thorne had much to share. He didn’t do much but school and home. He binge watched different TV series while grading and once in a while he went out with a couple of his teacher friends, but there hadn’t bee
n time lately.

  Frost has been busy with the ranch. He was trying to get all the feed and everything he’d need for winter stocked up because once snow flew, he might be stuck for a few days at a time, at least this early in the season, later it could be longer.

  Chapter 7

  “It would be good for the two of you to have a little one on one time. I’d rather keep Jazzy and the twins anyway.”

  Nancy sat across the table from her brother at Rocky’s Pizza. “Don’t you think you should check with Hayley first?”

  “Nah, we talked about going to the game already. She’s not any more interested in it than I am.”

  “And she won’t mind having three of my monsters running around instead?” Nancy glanced toward the small arcade where Nancy had taken said monsters to play. The only kid at the table with them was Jasmine.

  “Does it look like she minds having them around? Anyway, it’s good practice.” He focused into the distance, as if watching something far away, or maybe thinking.

  It was Nancy’s turn to watch her brother, wondering for a moment if there was something he was holding back.

  “Something you need to tell me?”

  “Huh?” he shook his head and focused on her again. “Oh, no, not yet at least. We’re starting to talk about it is all.” He smiled. “I’m all for it, she’s not so sure, not yet.”

  “It will happen when the time’s right.” Nancy looked down at Jasmine making her way through her second slice of pizza. “I wouldn’t give up my kids for anything but I have days I wish I’d waited till we were a little older, or maybe not had so many so fast. When Thomas died and left me with four kids six and under, it liked to killed me. Not just the kids, but all of it.”

  “I know, that’s why I came to Blackjack. I can’t say I regret it.” He glanced back to the room where their family cheered and played. “Actually, moving to Blackjack is one of the best decisions I ever made.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “I’m not saying I’m glad Thomas died, or that you had to go through any of that. You know that. Just that we play the hand we’re dealt. You’ve come a long way in the last two years. Look at where you are now. Four happy, well-adjusted kids, a good job where you seem to be thriving.”

  “I am pretty happy, even if it’s hectic and some days downright hard.”

  “Hardship is what makes us grow. If we were never challenged we’d not know what we’re capable of.” He blinked then frowned. “Fuck, now I sound like one of those platitude a day calendars.”

  “Language!” Nancy snapped, giving Jasmine a pointed look.

  He knew she didn’t like him using that kind of language in front of the kids. At least not until they were old enough to copy every word and spit them out at the most inopportune moment.

  “Sorry. I know better.” He had the grace to look embarrassed. “Either way, you take Tommy to the game. I’ll talk to Hayley and see if she wants to keep the kids at our place and keep them overnight or watch them at yours.”

  “Are you sure you want to brave the three of them overnight?”

  Warren shot her a look that made her stop asking questions. He’d spent more time taking care of them his first year in town than anyone, even her. She’d been in a bad place for a few months and he’d taken care of her too. One thing was for sure, she never had to worry about her kids when Warren was watching them. If the way he took care of them was any indication, he was going to be an amazing father one day. Maybe one day somewhat soon.

  Nancy unpacked her bag onto her desk, trying not to think about the erotic dream she’d woken from twenty minutes before her alarm had gone off. She’d had dreams like that before, that wasn’t what bothered her. The disturbing part had been who the dream was about.

  “Busy?”

  The single word made Nancy jump and spin toward the classroom door. It was too early to be any of her students and she’d been lost in thought as she got things organized for the days’ classes.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “I just wasn’t expecting anyone this early.” She smiled and wondered for the first time if the speeding beat of her heart was from being startled or from it being Thorne.

  Her face heated and she fought to ignore it as images from her dream this morning, and how she’d imagined him over her in bed, flashed through her mind. Unable to meet his gaze she focused on his mouth, hoping it was close enough he wouldn’t notice.

  “I was just wondering if you’re planning to go to the game.”

  Nancy blinked, his words taking a moment to sink through the haze of her brain. Watching his lips move wasn’t helping her forget the wayward direction her thoughts had gone the night before.

  “Uh, oh yeah. Tommy wants to go. My brother and Hayley are going to keep the others so we can enjoy the game without my constantly chasing a three-year-old or a pair of kindergarteners who are more interested in playing in the grass than the game.”

  “Good. I don’t know if anyone mentioned it, and it’s not mandatory, but it looks good if the teachers show up to support the team, at least for homecoming. I was going to ask if you wanted to go with me, you know so you weren’t going alone.”

  “Thank you for that.” She met his gaze, ignoring the heat that rushed to her face. “I think we’ll be okay, but I’ll see you there?”

  “Sure. I’ll save the two of you seats if you’d like?”

  “Sounds good. Thank you.”

  Kids started to trickle in, one here and there, Thorne waved as he headed to his own classroom. It wouldn’t be long until their rooms were full and the bell rang. She was sure he had things he needed to do before then. And she needed some time to let the images that seemed seared into hear brain to fade.

  The day passed quickly and without anything remarkable happening. She managed to avoid running into her across-the-hall workmate again, even on the way out. Nancy thought about her day on the drive home. She couldn’t help but be a little sad that she’d felt like she had to avoid him. She liked him, as a friend that was.

  She wasn’t ready for more. It seemed like just last week she opened the door to find the two men standing on her front step in their dress uniforms, covers in hand. The scene no military wife ever wants to see. She knew as soon as she spotted them. She’d struggled to hold it together. Her entire world had shattered and fallen to bits on the ground and she’d had to hold herself together, the kids still needed her.

  For the first time she remembered that day, what pieces she could remember, without the stomach churning stab of pain through her chest and tears coming to her eyes. Much of the day was a blur. She could tell you bits, she remembered the chaplain asking who he could call for her, she’d given him Warren’s name and number, then it seemed like moments till her brother was there, she knew that couldn’t be right. Even if he’d dropped everything and left that second, he’d lived more than two hours away.

  There was a long time after that she didn’t want to remember. It had been hard. But being able to think about that day, the hardest day of her life, without falling apart, it was a step. A big one.

  She pulled up in front of her house, parked in the drive way and sat there a moment. A deep breath helped to steady her thoughts, and a quick check in the mirror told her she hadn’t cried without realizing it.

  Good.

  Suzette would ask and Tommy would worry, but she was good. She stopped a moment and thought about it, was she really or was she just covering up? Hiding how she really felt, and putting on a happy face?

  It didn’t take more than a few moments to realize that yes, she really was happy. There was a part of her that still mourned Thomas, but she was certain there always would be.

  She sighed, picked up her briefcase and went inside. Enough introspection for one afternoon, time to get on with life.

  Inside, she took her briefcase to the dining room where she left it in a chair so she could find it later, and went in search of Suzette.

  Chapter 8
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  Thorne was a little early to the big game, but he wanted to get a good spot in the stands, one with enough room for Nancy and her son to sit with him. He shook his head at his own foolishness as he realized he was courting without actually dating. Chances were high he was wasting his time. She’d lost her husband and not very long ago. It would be a long time before she was ready for a relationship again.

  Yet here he sat, hoping she’d show up soon. Oddly, he couldn’t wait to meet her son. He’d always liked kids, otherwise he’d have found something else to do, and if this boy was anything like her, well, Thorne thought they’d get along just fine.

  Excitement sparked through him, though he fought to keep his face from showing it, as he spotted her at the base of the grandstand. A boy of nine or ten beside her. He sat up straighter, making it just a little easier for her to spot him in as yet sparse crowd. He couldn’t help but be glad he’d been so early. It was going to be packed tonight.

  A smile spread across her face and she waved before bending down to point up the rows of people to show the boy holding her hand and looking unhappy, where they were headed. A moment later they were climbing toward him.

  Thorne scooted to one side to make room and stood as they reached him.

  “I’m glad you came a little early, it’s going to be a big crowd.”

  “I figured.” Nancy looked down at the little boy who had her nose and mouth, but was dark headed compared to her fiery red. “Tommy, this is Mr. Whitman. He works with me at the high school.” She looked back to Thorne. “This is Tommy.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, sir.” The boy extended one hand I a gesture one would expect from someone several years older than him. It only took Thorne a moment to catch himself and shake the boy’s hand.