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“What on earth is that smell?” Gabe questioned, coming into the kitchen.
“Dinner,” I said, pulling down two plates and placing them on the small table. “Grandma’s Cheesy Beefy Biscuit Casserole.”
Gabe walked over and lifted the lid, taking a smell. “I don’t remember it smelling like that.”
“That’s because Grandma and I perfected it. Just wait till you taste it. It’s better now.”
Gabe grabbed two cans of soda from the fridge and brought them over to the table. I placed the dish on the table and shoved a large spoon into the mix, waiting while Gabe helped himself first, before taking some for me. I sat down and had just stuck my fork into the gooey mixture when Gabe looked over at me.
“Well, did you give what we talked about any thought?”
I let out a sigh. “Here we go… I figured I’d at least have the night to think it over, perhaps at least get through dinner. What’s the rush?”
“Cadence, you act as if I don’t have a timeline. I have to leave on their schedule, remember? I need you there when I leave. That means we need to act on getting this place up for sale. The cattle can come home with you.”
“That goes without saying. Of course they’d be coming with me.” I sat back and placed my fork down on my plate and scrunched my napkin in my hand. “Gabe…I just…there is something else, isn’t there?” I said, looking at my brother. “I feel this is all too rushed. You want me there for another reason? It’s not only because you are leaving?”
Our eyes locked as we sat in my small kitchen. He kept his eyes trained on me and then quickly averted them. He shook his head and stuck his fork into the meat and cheese, taking another mouthful before looking at me. “No,” he said, his mouth still partially full.
I couldn’t help but laugh. Did he really think I was this stupid? Gabe only ever spoke with his mouth full of food when he was lying. He’d done it since he was a kid. It used to piss off our father, and now it was pissing me off. “You better tell me or else…”
“Or else what?” he said, giving me a knowing look as he cracked open the can of soda in front of him and took a drink.
“Or else I won’t go. You can’t force me to sell something you don’t own.” I met my brother’s eyes. I wasn’t playing games anymore. He either needed to tell me everything or nothing was going to happen.
“Cadence.”
I shook my head. “No, Gabe, I’m serious. You’ve hired enough people to manage everything on that farm, whether you are home or while you are gone. You already have help. It’s not like it’s just you. You don’t really work; you oversee things now. So, there is no reason you can’t put your top guy in place as a manager and have him check in with you. You don’t need me there at all!” I stared into his eyes. “Why is it so important that I come back to Willow Valley?”
Gabe leaned back against his chair, ran his hand over his face, and then let out the breath he was holding. “Don’t kill me.”
I frowned. “What?”
“You’re right. It’s not just about helping me with the farm while I’m away.”
“I knew it,” I said, slamming my small fist down on the table. “So you’ve lied to me?” I questioned, feeling irritated. Gabe could barely look me in the eye now. I’d known there was something else.
Gabe shook his head. “I wouldn’t say lied, just maybe didn’t give you the entire picture.” He gave me a crooked smile.
I focused on my plate, on the food that once had looked so good. If I looked at my brother, I feared I may punch him. I knew there was something more. Something else he wasn’t telling me. I swore if he uttered the words ‘Connor Darling,’ I’d scream.
“It’s Connor,” he said, as if on cue.
I gripped my fork so tightly in my hand, I was sure that my knuckles were white.
“So, no, it’s not just about helping me. I’ve asked him to look over the farm, but I’m worried about him. Ever since Ella died, he’s not the same.”
“Why would you expect he’d be the same? It was tragic. It was horrible. Losing both your wife and your soon-to-be child at the same time. I can’t even imagine the pain he must have felt.”
“I know. However, the only time I see even a glimmer of the man he once was, was when he is around me. The only other time was when you were back at the house for the funeral. I just fear that if I leave, he will really retreat into himself. He isn’t getting better. He needs to be surrounded by those that love him.”
“There was no glimmer of the man he once was when I was at that funeral, Gabe. He was a disaster. So, tell me, exactly how do I fit into this, because I’m failing to see how me being there will help him?”
I waited for Gabe’s response. When he said nothing, I got up from the table and dumped my plate into the sink. Was he suggesting that perhaps I go back and that Connor and I…?
I cleared my throat and turned back to face my brother. “You aren’t suggesting what I think you are?” I questioned.
He smirked. I let out a huff and wiped my hands on the towel that sat on the counter and, without looking at my brother, I left the room. He wouldn’t dare suggest what I was thinking. At least he’d better not be.
