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“I saw your brother’s busted lip. I can imagine what happened.”
“Did he tell you?”
“He told us he saw you guys, and Julian and he exchanged words. Christian is hurt, but he’ll come around.”
“I can’t believe you guys are so forgiving. I know how sad you were with the way he left.”
She lovingly smiled. “Honey, it was a long time ago. Julian has always been a very complex man, even as a child. At first, of course, his abrupt departure was painful, but I know he didn’t mean to hurt us. Now, finding out about you guys, I understand why he thought leaving the way he did was the best idea.”
“Really? Because I barely understand it.”
“You were raised in a loving home. Julian may have stayed at our house a lot, but he’s always been thrown away like he was nothing more than yesterday’s garbage. Kids that are abandoned like he was and thrown into the system usually tend to mess everything up before someone they love can do it for them. It’s sad, and I’m not making excuses for him. I know he believed he was doing what was in everyone’s best interest.”
I nodded. “I know. I’m glad you guys are so forgiving. You mean a lot to him. He loves you, both of you.”
“And we love him. He’s always been a special boy, and we knew he’d amount to great things. I had a suspicion it would be something to do with cars. He’s always had a passion for them. How are he and Capri? From the looks of it, they’ve already taken to each other.”
“They’re two peas in a pod. I’m the odd man out these days.”
“Give it time. It will all work itself out.”
“I’m trying.”
She pulled me into a firm embrace, murmuring, “All the pieces will fall together.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you more.”
The front door opened, and Christian called out, “Autumn?”
I pulled away and swallowed hard, making my way toward the front door to greet him. “Hey.”
He smiled, pulling me into a tight hug, and I was relieved. My brother was very important to me, and I didn’t want us to have any issues. Especially when it came to Julian and me.
“Hey, Kinley.” I hugged her next, whispering into her ear, “Thank you for making him come.”
“Believe it or not,” she replied. “He came willingly.”
Which surprised me more than anything.
—Julian—
“Daddy! Do you see? Look! I’m riding Buttercup all by myself!”
“I see, Capri!”
She was riding her pony with one of the ranch employees, while Autumn’s father and I were talking.
“I want to thank you for coming today.”
He put his hand on my shoulder, reminding me of all the times he did. “You look good, Julian. Happy, content, relaxed. Fatherhood suits you, son.”
I nodded, feeling his encouragement in the same way I did as a boy. With just a couple of words, he always had the ability to make me feel like I was wanted, cared for, loved…
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt this happy about anything in all my life.”
“Not even when you grossed your first million?”
