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“How was he ill?” Rafe snapped. “My parents didn’t bother with him, so they wouldn’t have known if he was sick or not. They’re only saying he was ill because he was gay.” He shook his head, swallowing hard. “Can they do that?”
“Well, it seems they are,” Luther said. “They don’t have a leg to stand on, though, and the bar for breaking a will is pretty high. They are going to have to prove that Mack wasn’t in his right mind, and under the influence of someone else, which they can’t do.” He shook his head in obvious disbelief. “However, what thisdoesdo is to stop the distribution of the estate. You can live here, but we can’t distribute any of the assets.” He turned to Elliott and Russell. “You can lease the land if you like, but any proceeds will need to be held in trust until this is over.”
“I see. So anything else I want to do for the ranch….”
“Needs to be approved by the executor, and that’s me. Basically, it’s my job to make sure the estate business is handled properly. So for now, no distributions can be made. And that also means that the things we found in the safe-deposit box need to stay there.” He rolled his eyes. “I’ll do my best to head off whatever comes. But I think this is your parents’ attempt to wear you down so they can get what they want.”
Rafe nodded. “I know that’s what it is. They didn’t care about Mack, and they don’t care about me. But I know my parents need the money. Dad already came to me asking for it.”
“If we have to, we could offer them something to settle.”
“No,” Rafe snapped. “They threw me away just like they disowned Uncle Mack. So they’re not getting a penny from him. He was very specific in his will. Once the court sees that, they’ll throw this whole thing out. I’m sure of it.”
“Then I’ll get back to their attorney and tell him that if he wants to pursue this, we’re prepared to defend the will in court. This whole thing could simply be a ploy to get some quick money.”
“If you need anything, let us know,” Russell said. “Not that I want to step on your toes, but if you need any assistance, we can provide it. I have lawyers for the corporation who can help. Dad and I think the same thing you do—that Mack’s will should be honored.” He patted the table for emphasis. “I met Rafe’s parents the other day, and let me tell you, they are pieces of work. Selfish doesn’t begin to describe these people.”
“Good to know. I can tell their lawyer that we are prepared to depose them and that we will force them to go to court to get any information at all. That will also rack up billable hours and ensure that this costs them a lot of money. Sending a letter or having a lawyer call is cheap. Bringing this kind of suit is not.” He finished his coffee and then stood and shook everyone’s hand, ending with Rafe’s. “I’ll call as soon as I know something else.”
“Okay. What should I do about the house?”
“For now, nothing. Live your life. I know you have some of your own money, but repairs to the ranch and ongoing business expenses can be paid out of the estate. Just save the receipts. Once we clear this up, we can finish probate and get the estate settled.” He said goodbye, then headed out into the nearly blinding sun glinting off the snow outside the house.
“I should have known they would try something.” Rafe finished his coffee. “They live in a world of their own, believing everything runs the way they think it should. And if it doesn’t fit, they discard it. The same way they did their son,” he groused, wishing he could leave that hurt behind. It had been years ago and he was an adult now. He should be able to let that shit go.
Elliott slowly raised his mug to his lips. “Son, you don’t get to choose your family—you get the one you get. Some of us hit the lottery while others get the booby prize. And I’m afraid you definitely got two of the biggest boobs around.” He finished the coffee. “But now you get to decide what sort of life you’re going to live and what you’re going to do. You rode your way all the way to the world bull-riding championship. Your parents had nothing to do with that.Youdid that. So stick to your guns and make your own way. The rest is all bullshit.” He turned to Russell. “The same thing goes for you and that asshole ex of yours. When you let shitty people’s actions affect you, it gives them power over you. When you do that, they win.” He got to his feet. “And no matter what, you should never let the assholes win.”
“Is that a royal pronouncement?” Russell teased.
“You bet your ass,” Elliott retorted. “Now come on and take me home. Rafe has work to do, and so do the rest of us.” He put his mug in the sink. “It’s Violet’s day off, so we’re eating in town. Come by Whisky Jack’s about seven. They have amazing burgers, and their trout is spectacular.”
He left first, then Russell quickly gathered Rafe in his arms and kissed him hard.
“Try to make it tonight if you can. Dad loves these night outs. The food is good, and you’ll get a chance to meet some of the other people around town.” Then Russell kissed him again and hurried out after his dad.
RAFE WAStired and cold. He’d just finished cleaning the stalls and had brought in fresh bedding. The barn had been warm enough, but another line of snow was moving in. When the sun disappeared in the afternoon, it grew cold again. Still, the barn was clean, and he’d had a chance to exercise the horses before the sun went down.
The dogs met him when he came inside, and Rafe fed them before hitting the shower and changing his clothes. Then he checked to make sure the dogs were set and everything was turned off before he pulled on his winter gear and strode out to his truck to head toward town.
He drove slowly as flakes fell through the headlight beams. The country roads were a little rough and in need of a more thorough plowing, but the closer he got to town, the clearer the roads became. Still, he was grateful when he pulled into the parking lot and got out of the truck.
The bar was everything you’d expect from a cowboy hangout—beamed ceilings, rough walls with neon beer signs, scarred tables, and chairs that had seen better days. The room was packed with people all talking and laughing, a cacophony of overlapping voices that hit him like a two-by-four. After days of quiet, the sound was nearly overwhelming. Still, he looked around and found Elliott and Russell at a table on the side of the bar farthest away from the pool tables.
“This end of the bar is usually the quietest,” Russell said as Rafe pulled out a chair. “Do you want a beer?” Russell waved, and a server hurried over. Rafe ordered a beer, and she gave him a menu before hurrying away. “If you like fish, the trout is fantastic.”
“It seems like a strange thing to get at a place like this,” Rafe said, setting the menu aside.
“The chef’s family raises trout on their farm just outside of town, so it comes in fresh every day. And he knows exactly how to cook it,” Elliott said.
When the server returned, they placed their orders, and Rafe looked around. “Is it always like this on a Monday?” The place was absolutely packed.
“Every night,” Elliott said, raising his glass. “A few years ago, I asked the owner why he didn’t expand the place. He told me he was afraid that if they got too big, the place would lose its character.”
They drank their beers, and the server got them refills, then brought over their meals, which looked amazing. Rafe ate slowly, enjoying his dinner and the company. It was hard to talk over all the sound, so he stayed quiet and enjoyed every bite.
“The pool table is free,” Elliott said, nudging Russell, who stood and rolled his eyes.
“Very subtle, Dad.” Russell waited for Rafe, and together, they headed to the table. Rafe was about to put in his quarters when someone sneaked in front of him, dropped in their money, and pushed in the lever to release the balls.
