Page 52

Chapter Nineteen

Tobias dismounted and removed the saddle from his horse.

“Hey, Boss,” Jonathan, one of the new ranch hands, came to take the reins. “You’ve got company.” He motioned toward the house and Tobias turned.

Sure enough, there was a familiar SUV parked in front of the house and Taylor’s truck was also there. “Is something wrong?”

Jonathan shook his head. “I don’t think so. Your mother is cooking.”

“Why didn’t you come get me?” Tobias yanked his leather gloves off.

“They said not to.” Jonathan walked away whistling. The young man was about as carefree as a bird. Never seemed to get upset or particularly worried. Tobias shook his head.

After releasing the horse into the corral, he ambled to the house. Tobias took his time not sure what to expect.

“Hey, Son,” his father called out from a rocker on the porch. The labs were already at his dad’s feet, looking up at the senior Hamilton as if he were a god.

Tobias neared and leaned forward to hug his father. “Didn’t know you two planned to come to town.”

“Talk to your mother, she’s been anxious to come and spend time with you, Luke and Taylor. Something about a dream.”

He walked inside and followed the smell of chicken roasting and conversation. Taylor and Luke were seated at the table with a slice of cake in front of them while his mother bustled around the kitchen.

Immediately, his chest constricted at the scene. He missed those days when he and the other two would sit while she fussed over them. He’d been a stupid teenager not to have cherished those moments.

“Hey, Mom,” he greeted, going to her so they could embrace. She kissed his cheek and he returned the gesture. “Why do they have cake?”

“Don’t hate,” Luke said, lifting a huge chunk and popping it into his mouth.

“Sit down, I’ll cut you a slice. I made this yesterday, made two actually since your sister was over with the kids.”

He’d not seen Clara since the hospital. “We need to have a family gathering.”

His mother smiled. “We have a wedding coming up. Eric and Mindy just got engaged.”

Luke frowned. “I hate weddings.”

“I still can’t believe you and Leah snuck off and got married at the courthouse. Cheated me out of wedding planning.” By the soft smile directed at Luke, their mother didn’t look particularly upset. “However, I can’t picture you as a groom either. Probably scare half the guests away.”

Everyone laughed.

Taylor looked toward the cake on the counter; he’d finished his slice. “Can I have more?”

His cousin seemed relaxed, even after receiving the news that his mother had died in prison. The strange thing was, it was as if he were relieved. It made sense. Her death closed that chapter of his life.

Tobias studied Taylor. “You should have a wedding. You deserve a wedding.”

“I don’t want a wedding, they’re like a circus.” Taylor had lived with them since middle school after his mother murdered his father and was incarcerated. Although cousins, Taylor was more like a brother to him and Luke.

“I’ll speak to Allison,” their mother quipped, cutting a slice and sliding it onto Taylor’s plate. “Men don’t understand these things.”

She leaned on the counter. “I had a dream. Which one of you is giving me a grandchild?”

They all looked at each other.

“Leah can’t have kids,” Luke volunteered. “We don’t want any.”

Taylor shrugged. “We’re not.”