by Elle Linder
Eight
FOR THE SECOND night in a row, Tori crept up the stairs holding her breath. If her father was waiting for her, she might lose it on him.
A rebellious teenager came to mind. She’d heard him call Tanner that dozens of times while they were growing up. Her twin was always in trouble. Despite how close they were, they were quite different. Especially when it came to following Daddy’s rules.
Before now, Tori had never crossed the line. She played it safe.
She exhaled the breath she’d been holding when she entered her room and found it empty. After removing her coat and boots, she padded over to her nightstand and flicked on the lamp. A folded up piece of paper caught her eye. It hadn’t been there earlier.
Tori unfolded the note, and her heart started to race. She had an idea of who it might be from.
Tori, would it be too much to ask that you let us know you’ll be out late? I’m beginning to think an alien imposter has stolen my daughter’s body. What has gotten into you? I can tell you, your father and I are watching, and we don’t like what we’re seeing. This lying and sneaking around must stop. How are we to welcome this young man into our home if you’re being secretive about him? Honestly, you’re too old to be acting like this. Tanner and Bailey might have been hiding their relationship, but I never thought you would do the same. Please trust us. Come clean about this young man. Bring him home to meet us.
We love you dearly, Tori. That will never change.
Mama
Tori stared at the letter, the words blurring together as her eyes filled with tears. An alien imposter. She certainly felt different now that Rex had breathed life into her ordinary and boring self.
Mama must’ve convinced Daddy to not wait up for her, leaving the letter in his place.
Her phone chimed and Tori glanced at her purse by the closet. It had to be Rex. She slumped onto her bed, feeling listless and guilty.
She blinked back the tears, not letting a single one fall. Her parents and brothers meant the world to her, yet here she was causing them stress and pain. How far was she willing to go just so she could be with Rex?
How many times had her mother called him a young man?
She reread the letter. Two times she’d referenced a young man.
Tori collapsed onto her pillow and curled into it. Not bothering to change out of her clothes, she stayed there, wracking her brain over what to do.
Adults handle situations like this all the time. Clearly, she needed to come clean about Rex if she wanted to be with him—and she did. But until she was ready to announce him to her parents, she couldn’t see him. She wouldn’t sneak around or lie anymore.
Wednesday, her parents and brothers would be gone for two days for the cattle roundup. She never joined them, staying behind for work and watching over the ranch. Having the place to herself would give her time to figure out the situation with Rex. Until then, she needed to avoid him as best she could. The last thing she wanted to do was lead him on.
Regretfully, she knew her actions would hurt him, but she didn’t see any way around it.
She closed her eyes as they filled with tears again and let sleep take her. Tomorrow would come soon enough and the next few days were sure to be hell.
“Tori… Wake up, hon. Are you feeling okay?”
Tori felt a gentle pat on her arm and she groaned. “Hmm?”
“It’s after nine. Are you sick?” her mama asked.
Tori kept her eyes closed, quickly thinking up a reply. She’d slept in—something she never did unless sick. If it was after nine, as Mama had said, she was running behind with her morning chores and might be late for work. Normally, she liked to get to school half an hour before her afternoon preschool class began.
She nodded her head. “I don’t feel well,” she mumbled. It wasn’t an outright lie. She did feel awful.
Her mama’s hand felt her forehead. “You don’t feel warm. Why are you still in your clothes? What time did you get in last night?”
Great, getting interrogated first thing in the morning was splendid.
“Please… Not now, Mama. I have a migraine.” She crossed her arm over her eyes. She occasionally got debilitating migraines that would have her in bed for a day or two, so she figured Mama would believe it.
“Oh… I’m sorry, honey,” Mama whispered. “Can I make you some ginger tea and bring you pain meds? How about some breakfast?”
“Coffee would be lovely… for the caffeine. And pain meds.” Though she had no intention of taking them since she really didn’t have a migraine.
“Okay. Did you call into work yet?”
Shoot. Tori hadn’t thought about work. Now she’d have to miss a day or two.
“No. I’ll do that now.”
She hated calling in sick and needing a substitute teacher to take her place. Her kids always complained about the sub doing things wrong and how they missed Tori.
This is such a mess.
“Okay. I’ll be right back.”
When Tori heard the latch, she removed her arm from her face and quickly climbed out of bed to fetch her cell phone, which was still in her purse. The first thing she noticed was Rex’s text and her heart ached for not responding to him last night but she couldn’t think about that now. She called into the school and was back in bed by the time her mom returned.
“I have a lot of errands to run today for the roundup. Will you be okay?” Her mom considered her as she set the mug of coffee and Aleve on the nightstand.
“Yes, Mama. I can take care of myself. Thank you.”
“Want anything from town? Something from Pete’s?”
God, her mother’s sweetness raked down Tori’s spine like a pitchfork, cutting into her skin painfully. She was the worst daughter ever.
“No thanks.”
“All right, baby girl. I’ll check on you later today.”
For the next few hours, Tori remained in bed, chastising herself for lying to everyone. Rex had texted after preschool started, asking if everything was okay.
She almost didn’t reply, but she did with a simple, Got a migraine.
To which Rex replied, Hope you feel better soon.
Dylan would call her situation a clusterfuck, and he wouldn’t be wrong. Everything felt chaotic, and she was sure she was making matters worse.
A firm knock on her bedroom door jolted her. Was her dad going to give her hell about another late night out?
“Come in,” she said, bracing herself for a confrontation with her daddy.
The door opened and Tanner appeared. “Hey. Heard you had a migraine.”
“Mhmm.”
“You seemed fine yesterday.”
“These things come on suddenly.” She narrowed her eyes as Tanner approached her bed.
“Funny that you skipped out on Sunday dinner, then didn’t return until after midnight.”
Tori rolled her eyes. “Honestly, I don’t need this from you.”
“Why are you lying about the migraine?”
“I’m not.”
“You are, and do you know how I know?”
“Twin bond?”
Tanner shook his head. “Nope. You just rolled your eyes and you left the room darkening shade up, letting all the sunshine into your room.”
“There he is, Mr. Detective.”
Tanner snorted. “Wouldn’t need to be if you were straight with everyone. What gives, Tor? Now you’re staying home from work and lying about a migraine.”
“I needed time to sort this stuff out. I figured once you all leave for the roundup, I’d have peace and quiet. I could clear my head and make a decision about him.”
“I see. Think you could keep an eye on Bailey for me? She’s why I came up to see you when Dad muttered you were sick.”
“Bailey is a grown woman, Tanner. She’s more than capable of taking care of herself.”
He shrugged with a lopsided grin. “Humor me. I’m new to being in love and having a fiancée and a baby on the way.
Just hang out with her so she doesn’t get lonely.”
“You’re adorable.” She gave him a small smile.
“I’m also paranoid about leaving her for a couple of days. It’s like I just got her and I’m afraid of losing her.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet. But trust me, that girl ain’t never gonna let you go.”
“I appreciate you saying so. You know, I’ve never been this happy before.”
“I know. It does my heart good to see you this way too.”
Tanner leaned over and kissed her head. “I’m worried about you.”
“I knew it. You are here to give me crap.”
“Yup. I am.”
“Well, you don’t need to. I’m going to figure out my life all on my own.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“I’m here if you need any help or a shoulder to cry on or some muscle to break Rex’s face.” He winked.
She shook her head, glaring at him. “Not funny. So not funny.”
Tanner laughed, getting to his feet. “Yeah, I know. But I’ll break his face if he hurts you.”
She growled low. “Now I have a headache. Go on. Get out of here.”
“I’ll see ya.” He threw up his hand, leaving her room and closing the door behind him.
Rex would never hurt her, but she just might destroy him.
Nine
LATE TUESDAY AFTERNOON, Tori was brushing Daisy after their ride. She’d stayed home from work again and after lunch was miraculously feeling better. She couldn’t stand being stuck in bed when she was actually well. Dylan had tended to Daisy, which Tori appreciated, but she needed to be with her girl and take care of her herself.
They took a two-hour ride, embracing the fall colors and crisp air. Being on her horse with the wind blowing through her hair and clear skies was heaven on earth to Tori. She didn’t want to be around her family, or Rex for that matter, but she couldn’t take being alone. Tori just need to be with her girl Daisy and forget what a mess her life had become.
Of course, she was to blame for everything.
At her feet, Smoke and Lace, the resident Labradors, perked up. “Who’s coming?” she whispered, hearing the boots clomping on the cement floors. The dogs looked up at her, then down the walkway.
“Hey,” Dawson said, raising his hand. The dogs didn’t move from their comfy positions.
Just what she needed, her older brother butting his nose into her business.
“Hi. Looking for Dad or Tanner?”
“Nope, just you, sis.”
She twisted her lips as he stalked toward her. “What’s up?”
“Just wanted to see how you’ve been. Something’s going on with you, and I wanted to offer my services.”
She hiked a brow. “Your services?”
“I’m a good listener.”
“Ah, I see.” She continued brushing Daisy. “Did Piper say anything?”
“Piper? Why would she say anything?”
Oops. Hopefully she wouldn’t be the cause of an argument between Dawson and Piper.
“Look… I’m going through something, but it’s nothing major. I’ll work it out and then all will be well.” Or at least she hoped it would be fine. If it did work out, it would be better than fine. Blissfully wonderful if she could be with Rex out in the open and her father was okay with it.
“Is it about a guy? I know how crazy Dad and the boys can be with you. I’m not like them, Tor. You know that. I’ve been out on my own, in danger, and I spent years away from Piper. That’s a whole lotta shit to go through alone. But I made it, and so will you. I just want you to know if you need a listening ear, I’ve got one.”
She gnawed on her bottom lip. Dawson was different from Tanner and Dylan. He’d followed his dreams and went against their parents and even Piper to get what he wanted. In the process, he’d lost the only girl he’d ever loved, and it took nearly ten years to get her back. She had a feeling she could trust Dawson, and she really needed someone to talk to.
“Do you have a minute?” She darted her eyes to the bale of straw inside Daisy’s stall. “Or two.”
Dawson flashed her a charming grin. “For you, baby sister, I have all the time in the world.” He sat on the bale with an expectant look.
“I don’t really know where to begin.” She set the brush on the wooden fence and leaned against it, facing her brother.
“How about at the heart of the matter? What’s the most important issue?”
“Hmm, okay. The heart of the matter would be Dad and the man I’m seeing.”
“Good. I’m guessing you don’t think Dad will like this guy.”
“I’m confident he won’t.”
“Why’s that? Has he committed a heinous crime? Is he a drug addict, or has he hit you? Is he in the Mafia?”
Tori giggled. “No, he’s not in the Mafia or an addict.”
“He’s committed a heinous crime?” Concern appeared on Dawson’s face.
“He hasn’t killed anyone… I don’t think. But he has done something, and I honestly don’t know how bad it could be.”
“Why haven’t you asked him about it? Keeping secrets will destroy your relationship, Tor. You should know everything about this guy, just as he should know everything about you.”
She sighed and scratched Daisy’s head. “I know. I’m sure he’ll tell me. We just started seeing each other after flirting and dancing around each other for a month.”
“Who is he?”
Her eyes cut to his.
“Come on, Tor. How bad could it be?”
“Remember when you and the boys spray-painted the side of Miller’s Market?”
Dawson groaned. “God, yes. We were grounded for life.”
“Yup. Dad was furious for just as long.”
“Longer.”
“Exactly. This thing… What’s going on with the guy and me is one thousand percent worse.” She used Tanner’s saying for emphasis.
Dawson’s dark eyes bulged. “Jesus, Tor, now you have me freaking the hell out. Who is he?”
“If I tell you, you have to promise to not tell Mama or Dad. And not blabbermouth Dylan. Or Piper, though I think I can trust her.”
“My heart is racing, Tor. You better tell me now.” His voice took on a cutting edge.
“Rexford Knolls.”
Dawson was on his feet, hands gripping his head. “What the fuck?” He shook his head and paced in the small stall. “No. I didn’t hear you right. You didn’t say what I thought you said. My mind is playing tricks on me. Jesus. Fuck.”
Her brother’s reaction was worse than Tanner’s and would only be a fraction of how her father would react.
“For the record, Tanner knows and he’s handled it better than you.”
Dawson stopped and pinned her in place with his steely gaze. “I don’t care about Tanner right now.” His nostrils flared. “Knolls is at least forty years old. Why would you want to be with an older man like him? Never mind the fact that Dad hates his guts.”
“Why are Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani together?”
“What? I don’t give a shit about them!”
“I know. You’re just making me wig out, so I’m deflecting.” She inhaled a deep breath. “I don’t know why. His daughter is in my preschool class. She’s the sweetest thing. Rex and I were professional at first. A parent-teacher type relationship only. Then two weeks after school started, things gradually started to change. We stared at each other more. Smiled and laughed in that goofy way people do when they like someone. I’d dream about him. It just… happened.” She sighed dreamily.
“Damn. That sounds kind of sweet.”
“Dawson, he’s good to me. Rex makes me feel adored, wanted… beautiful. You weren’t around while in the marines, but I never had this with a guy before. Rex isn’t afraid of Dad or the boys. I think he’d fight for me.”
Just then, Smoke and Lace perked up and got to their feet.
Tori turned to Dawson. “Please don’t say anything. Pr
omise me,” she whispered.
“I promise.”
The sound of her father’s hard steps made the hairs on her arms stand.
“What’s going on?” her daddy asked. His gaze fell on Dawson. “Been looking for you.”
“I’ve been here with Tori.”
Conway nodded but didn’t make eye contact with her. “Elise said you can ride Sky for the roundup.”
“She’s not going to be riding her horse?”
“Nah, she said she’d stay at camp.”
“Oh. I’d planned on taking Allen’s horse, Roland, but I don’t mind riding Sky.”
“Well, you decide. Which will it be?”
Tori didn’t move a muscle. Her dad seemed more on edge than yesterday, which was worrisome. She really couldn’t take the tension between them.
“I’ll ride Sky.”
“All right. Best you get a move on. We’re leaving at five in the morning.”
“I know. I’ll be ready.” Dawson flicked his gaze to hers.
They both stayed stock-still until their dad’s footsteps faded.
“Shiiit… He’s wound tighter than I’ve ever seen him.”
“And it’s all my fault.” She made a pouty face.
“The sooner the truth is out in the open, the better. You can’t let the old man go on stressing over you. He’s going to make himself sick.”
Seeing her dad this way wasn’t easy. Dawson was right. She needed to work this out and fast.
“I will. While you all are gone, I’m going to figure this out.”
“Good. And no matter what, I’m on your side. Whatever happened with the land was a long time ago. Dad needs to get over it.”
“I’m guessing you don’t know the details either.”
“Nope. Just that Knolls stole the property out from under him… ‘like a weasel.’” He made air quotes.
She’d heard their dad call Rex a weasel before. It made her stomach twist into a knot now that she knew him on a personal level.
“Right. A weasel.” She dropped her chin toward her chest.