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“I’ve seen her in action.” I smiled thinking back to branding. Telling the story to her parents, I saw them beam with pride. It made no sense that they had lost contact. “She told me she spent summers on her cousin’s ranch, and after I saw her rope, I knew that probably wasn’t the entire story.” If I wanted to get back home before, now I was verging on anxiously awaiting my departure. “If you don’t mind me asking, what happened?” I knew full well what happened, but I wanted their side.
Lena looked over at her husband and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “We happened. She came home, told us she was pregnant and we didn’t handle it well. We regret it every day.” Nora’s parents looked at one another, a wave of sorrow and regret flowed from one to the other. We talked well into the late afternoon about Cooper and what he was like, how Nora was, and I watched joy fill these two strangers before me.
“I hate to change the subject but I do need to talk about business.” It pained me not to talk about Nora more. I had so many questions about her childhood. I wanted to see more pictures, especially of her at the rodeo, but that could wait. “I have a new offer. Would you consider staying on and managing this ranch? We’re going to have to hire someone anyway, and you know this place like the back of your hand, and I would like you to stay.” This was not the plan but I couldn’t put Nora’s parents out of their home. If she did ever come back, I wanted them to be here for her.
“Only if you’re sure. Lincoln led us to believe you had someone lined up for that job.” Ray said hesitantly, his face pained and I didn’t miss the quick glance he gave to Lena.
“To be honest, finding out you’re Nora’s parents has changed the plan, but you know this place better than anyone I could ever hire.” Leaning forward, I hoped they would say yes. “This will also be the total for the sale.” I grabbed a paper from my check book and scribbled down a number I just pulled out of the air and handed it to Ray.
He frowned as he looked at the number and handed it to Lena. I liked the way they worked together. They were a team. I knew this coming here but I suddenly realized why Nora was the way she was. She was raised to be included instead of excluded like most women in this world. “Kipp, this is twenty-five percent more than the amount we discussed.” He shook his head. “You can’t do this, it’s not worth it. Did you see all the work that needs to be done?” He raised his arms, indicating the entire ranch.
“I saw it all, please let me do this, it’s not for me.” A knowing washed over his face. I didn’t even have to say I was doing it for Nora, he understood. Ray stood and held his hand out. Following suit, I shook it, and our deal was done. Nash, Griff, Ryder, and Linc would have a few things to say about the added cost, but the oil alone would pay for the extra in a year. “Ray, Lena, I hate to do this and run but my flight leaves in an hour and I need to get back to Montana.” Smiling at them, they nodded.
“Bring her back to us, son,” Ray said as he patted my shoulder as they walked me to the car.
“I will, sir.”
“Today has been the best day I’ve had in a very long time,” Lena said as she hugged me. I had to admit this was one of the best days I’ve had in weeks too. Not just finding out about Nora, but her father calling me son made me realize how much I missed it and appreciated it. Getting back into the rental car, I felt lighter than I had when I arrived. As I pulled away from the yard, Ray and Lena stood with their arms around one another, waving until I couldn’t see them anymore.
My phone rang and I hit the button on the steering wheel. “Hello?”
“Well, how did it go?” Linc asked, already knowing what I would say.
“You could have just told me, you know.” Turning onto the interstate, I took a deep breath. I just wanted to be home. “Any word on the other thing?”
“No, nothing yet but Nash talked to Phil and he’s got a lead he should know more tomorrow.” Linc sounded confident and I was happy to hear it. Whatever stunt Bella was pulling needed to stop. I was almost sure Nathan wasn’t mine but I needed to prove it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
NORA
“I’m going to my mother’s, but I need a day without Nathan, so I’m leaving him here with you.” Bella sauntered into the kitchen as I was cleaning up breakfast dishes, crossed her arms, and leaned against the counter.
“Why can’t he go with you?” I turned, my hands still in the sink full of water.
She pushed off the counter edge and walked right up beside me. “This is his home. He can stay here.” She slammed her hands on her hips. I was sure she was trying to intimidate me, but I had gone up against girls who were much more of a threat than she was.
“I never said it wasn’t but you’re his mother. Don’t you think he would rather stay with you than a complete stranger? Besides, Kipp's gone, so you probably shouldn’t be away as well.” I was done with this conversation, she wasn’t worth my time, she was the mother of Kipp’s son, I needed to remain cool. Taking a deep breath, I tried to put out the fire that was smoldering inside me.
“You’re his employee, and I’m putting you to work.” She wobbled her head like she was the queen cunt of Weston Gap.
“You actually have no authority over my employment. You’re the woman he walked away from. The only directions I take are from the men who have their names on the titles of this place. Last time I checked, you didn’t sign my paycheck.” I slammed the oven door closed and slapped the spatula on the counter.
“No, you just lay on your back for your pay don’t you?” She smirked and I wanted to vomit. “Do they cycle through one after the other? Is it an all at the same time kind of thing, or do you keep a schedule of whose night it is?” She took a step toward me, sucked in her cheeks and arched her brow.
“What did you say?” Clenching my jaw, I balled up my fist in the water and waited.
“You heard me, you whore,” she snarled. Her words dripped with hatred and vindictiveness.
“Take that back, Bella,” I seethed.
“I will not.” She smirked and looked me up and down. “Is he the best lay you’ve ever had? Because some days I can still feel his…” I don’t know what came over me, I grabbed her helmet of a hairdo and shoved her face into the sink full of water. She flailed, sputtered and tried to kick me but I was able to escape her reach. Water splashed all over the kitchen, if she wasn’t careful she’d have every bit of water out of the sink and her face would be pressed up against the hard granite.
“Nora.” A voice came from the doorway. Turning, I saw Nash glaring at me. “Let her go.” He walked over to the oven door and grabbed the towel I kept there and handed it to Bella.
“I’m going to charge you with attempted murder,” she squealed as she dried her face off, her makeup mostly on the towel and running down her face.
“Go ahead and try. The jury will understand that you drove me to it,” I said flatly. A woman like her didn’t scare me. She had too many skeletons in her own closet to start anything. She stomped out of the kitchen.
