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Hope unfurls in my gut, along with a sliver of fear. This could go well or very, very badly. But it has to be done.
“Thanks, Dad.” I wrap him in my arms, clapping his back.
“What are you going to do?” he asks as I jump off the porch.
I open the door to my truck and turn around. “My first ride will be in Charleston next weekend. I’m leaving on Wednesday. You coming?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
“You’ll find out then.”
He nods as I hop in.
I tear down the lane and turn toward Coop’s, where I’ll put my plan in motion. At Coop’s place, I print off the documents I need, pack the rest of my shit in my truck, and make the short drive to Animal Haven.
Duke and Diesel don’t even lift their heads when I put the truck in park, and this time I don’t bother shutting off the ignition. I grab the extra badge from the glove compartment, along with the papers I printed at Coop’s. I’ve only used the badge a handful of times—always for one of my siblings—but now I’m going to use it the way it’s intended.
Mo walks out of Animal Haven. She looks exhausted and a little bit sad and definitely like she’s ready to talk, but that’s not happening today.
In three strides I close the distance between us. She startles when I slam my mouth against hers. It’s a frenzied and sloppy kiss—our teeth knock together—and I sure as hell hope it isn’t our last.
When I pull away, she touches her bottom lip and smiles.
“Can we talk now?” she asks.
“Soon, baby, but not today. There’s something I need you to do for me first.” She frowns, but I continue. “Not too long ago you needed my forgiveness. I gave that to you because I believe in us and what we have the potential to become. Now I need you to do the same for me.”
I hold the badge out.
She eyes it curiously as she takes it from my hand. “What’s this?”
“My first ride is Friday night at seven at the Civic Center in Charleston, West Virginia. Take this badge to the guest relations counter, and they’ll show you where to go.”
She frowns and shakes her head. “I can’t afford a plane ticket, Rhett.”
“No excuses, Mo.” I hold out the papers. “I paid for a plane ticket. Everything you need is here.”
Taking the papers from my hands, she looks down at them. “What if I can’t find anyone to cover for me or take care of my dad?”
“Figure it out,” I say.
Her eyes widen.
“Go home,” I continue, my voice softer. “Talk to your dad, think about what you want to do with your life and whether you see me in your future. If you see an us, then get your ass on that plane and be in your seat when I mount the bull. That’s what I need from you right now.”
“And if I can’t get there?”
God, please don’t let that happen. “Then I’ll trust you had a damn good reason.”
Mo blinks, but she doesn’t move. She doesn’t try to stop me from climbing back into my truck, and she makes no attempt to chase after me.
I pick up my phone and scroll through my contact list. Linc answers on the first ring.
“I’ll be back in town in two hours. You up for a late night?”
“I’ll meet you there.?
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