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“When was the last time you checked in on him to say hello? Or attended any of his events?”
“We’re busy trying to survive,” Cody bites out.
“He’s retired now,” Jenna continues. “Bet you didn’t know that.”
“Retired? What do you mean?” Mom demands. “He can’t stop the rodeo. What will he do for money?”
Jenna takes one slow step down from the porch. “It means he’s a grown man and he can do whatever he wants. He doesn’t need you two shaking him down for money.”
“Not your business,” Cody snarls.
She shakes her head. “But you’re only here because you want something from him. You don’t really care how he’s doing.”
“We’re his real family,” my mom says. But I can tell from her voice that she’s losing control.
My heart pounds so hard. I spent years wishing someone would understand. Jenna does, and so do Tucker and Jack. They take up for me, and they don’t even need to.
I nudge Chief forward. Snow crunches beneath his hooves.
Every head turns. Jenna’s eyes immediately find mine. Relief washes across her face.
Mom looks at me. “Ty...”
I swing down from the saddle. “I’ve heard enough.”
Nobody speaks. I look at my brother first. Then my mother. “I love you both.”
The words surprise Cody and his mouth drops open.
“I always will. But I’m done being responsible for bailing you all out every time Dad gets in a bind. I’ll never give you money ever again.”
Mom starts to cry. I know it’s not real. She’s crying more because she knows she’s not going to get what she wants. “We just...”
“No.” I swallow hard. “I thought if I kept fixing everything that maybe we’d get our family back.” I shake my head. “But it doesn’t work like that. Feed the addict, feed the addiction. And I’m not feeding Dad’s gambling addiction anymore. This is not for me to figure out. I have my own family now.”
I glance toward the lodge where Tessa’s nodding and smiling towards Jenna at me as if she’s proud. Then I glance toward Jenna and then over at Tucker and Jack.
“I’ve already found a home here.”
The words settle over all of us and I continue. “If you want to be part of my life, then you need to give me time. Don’t just come around when you want money from me.”
I smile gently. I know these words aren’t going to land the way they need to. But I need to say them anyway. I need to know I tried. They might not change, but I know I did what I needed to do.
Cody looks at the ranch. For the first time in years, he doesn’t have an argument.
Mom wipes at her eyes and nods. “All right, honey.”
I look at Jenna. She smiles at me the way she always does now. For years I thought losing my family’s ranch was the worst thing that ever happened to me.
Standing here now...
I finally understand.
Sometimes losing the life you planned is the only way to find the one you were meant to live.
epilogue: jenna
Christmas Day
