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Clearly. Because their oldest brother had stopped returning any of Grayson’s calls more than a decade ago.
“Is there a way to have both?” Sammy slid another flour bag onto the stack. “The bakery’s doing well, isn’t it?”
Robin nodded and picked up several large bottles of vanilla extract. “But I don’t see what your point is.”
Grayson didn’t appreciate that her tone with Sammy was far more accommodating than the one she’d taken with him.
Sammy took Robin’s hand. “I know what it’s like to have to pivot. To let go of who and what I thought I was. To let go of the dreams I had.”
Grayson leaned back against the storage room wall and crossed his arms. He knew snippets of Sammy’s story. How his legs had been crushed in a terrible log truck accident. How he’d gone from high school athlete to military service to being a man with an uncertain future.
Robin nodded. “I know, but this is different.” Her words came out soft, hushed.
“Because it’s yours?” Sammy said the words in a whisper, but the impact hit Robin hard.
She nodded, lifted her hand to her mouth, and tears splashed down her face.
Oh, Robin.
Sammy wrapped Robin in a hug.
Grayson ran a hand across his damp eyes. He wanted Vincent’s place, but he couldn’t break his sister’s heart to buy it.
He’d find work at another ranch. Or maybe he could lease a place and pick up some horses to train. He just wished it didn’t feel like a gaping wound in his heart to let go of his vision.
“I’ll cancel the appointment with the agent.” He pulled out his phone.
Sammy said something Grayson couldn’t hear, but Robin nodded.
She sniffed again and released him.
Sammy took her hand again and wove his fingers into hers. “What if Grayson buying his ranch and building a youth horse camp could honor your parents more than the vacant lot ever could?”
What? He stopped dialing.
Grayson may have misjudged whose ally Sammy would be.
“I don’t know that I can let it go.” Robin wiped her eyes. “I didn’t even realize what it meant to me until you said you were selling it.” She gave Sammy’s arm a pat and slipped away from him, pacing the storeroom.
“We’re not letting them go,” Grayson said. “I’m not letting them go.”
“Why does it feel like it?”
Sammy pointed toward the kitchen desk. “I’m going to go check on the delivery schedule.”
Robin nodded and Sammy left the two of them alone in the storeroom.
“Trust me, I wrestled with it too. I don’t take it lightly. But what if Sammy’s right? What if I can make good of this by opening a youth camp in Oregon? Helping kids like me—kids who need a connection. Healing.”
Robin looked up at him, her eyes red and watery. “Maybe a family will buy the lot? Build on it?”
He could see it. A cute little cottage facing the lake. A swing set in the backyard. Laughter. He’d be lying if he didn’t admit it caused a bittersweet pang in his chest. All he could do was nod.
She felt it too. He could tell when she twisted her lips, then wrinkled her nose. Swiped more tears, then blew out a breath. “It isn’t easy. It won’t be easy.”
“I know.” Grayson ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve crunched the numbers every way I know how, and it’s the only way I’m going to be able to move forward in Oregon.”
“Okay,” Robin said. “I suppose Sammy’s right. Embracing new dreams doesn’t mean letting go of the memories.”
