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“I have learned, and I have created damage that I regretted. I just think that this is not the way that we should go,” he said.
Kenneth paused, almost as though he was thinking about what his brother said, then he laughed.
“I will think about it, Austin. I will think about it,” he said and walked away with his hands in his pockets and his head bent like there was something very interesting about the floor. Austin knew there was nothing he could say that could change his brother's mind. There was nothing that could shift the man's view when he decided on something. He knew he had to call Hayden.
†
“What did your brother want?” Nicole asked Austin when he walked into her apartment. He took off his hat then he held it against his chest. His eyes were narrowed, staring into the distance for a while then he looked at her. Her eyes were earnest and beautiful.
“He wanted us to put the past behind us. Between me and him, I meant. He wanted us to forget everything, and he wanted me to be his brother again. He said he has a daughter, named her Hope,” Austin said.
Nicole's face was a mix of excitement and worry.
“That is great…right?” She asked him. He nodded very slowly.
“Yeah, but that is not the only thing he wanted.”
“What do you mean?” She asked him.
“He wants to do something to Hayden, and I don't even know what. He wants to take this thing ever further than I took it and I know I erred. I know Kenneth and when he decides to be malicious, he doesn't have any limits. He doesn't have a moral compass when it comes to these things.”
“What do you think he'd want to do?”
“I'm not…sure. Someone he dealt with once said it is better to think of the worst thing you can do to a person and assume that is what Kenneth would do. I personally think that is a wrong thing to say about my brother, but it is true. He would go to any length.”
“What do you think he'd want to do to Hayden?” Nicole asked. He shook his head then paused and raised an eyebrow.
“Do you think he'd want to…kill him perhaps?” She asked. Austin shook his head.
“No, that wouldn't be the worst thing to happen to Hayden. He'd be dead and wouldn't feel it. That isn't Kenneth's style. He'd want him to feel it and the one thing he would really feel is the…Kenneth will try to take the ranch from his family,” he said.
Nicole's eyes widened as she looked at him then she stepped back in horror.
“What are you going to do?” She asked him.
“The only thing there is to do. I need to speak with Hayden as soon as I can,” he said and walked out the door then stopped at the porch.
“When will this whole fuckery end?” He muttered under his breath and continued walking to the car.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow across the sprawling ranch. A gentle breeze rustled through the tall grass, creating a soft symphony of whispers. Seated on the porch, Lenanee, with a straw hat and a flowing sundress absorbed the serenity of the afternoon.
The sky stretched endlessly, painted in hues of orange and pink, as though nature itself was celebrating the day's quiet triumph. Patches of wildflowers swayed in harmony with the breeze, adding bursts of color to the sea of green that rolled out in all directions.
As Lenanee closed her eyes, she inhaled the crisp, earthy scent of the countryside. The rhythmic chirping of crickets and the distant lowing of cattle created a tranquil soundtrack. A wooden rocking chair creaked beneath her, a soothing counterpoint to the quiet melody of nature.
In the distance, a dust cloud marked the approach of a lone rider. Lenanee's eyes flickered open, a smile spreading across her face as she spotted Hayden. His silhouette emerged, riding a majestic brown stallion against the backdrop of the setting sun.
The horse's hooves echoed against the vast expanse of the ranch, a rhythmic drumbeat that complemented the stillness. Hayden, hat tipped low, guided the stallion towards the porch. Lenanee stood, her heart swelling with appreciation for the simple beauty that surrounded her.
He climbed off the stallion, tied it to the post and walked to her, a smile on his face.
There were times when she couldn't believe he was the same man she met and fell in love with and how the time had passed and he had changed, grown but still remained the same at his core. He was a beautiful man. A truly beautiful man. He walked up the stairs to her and he pulled her into a hug. He smelled of sweat, cologne and the afternoon breeze.
“Someone seems happy,” he said after he pulled away from the hug to see her smiling. He looked at her hand and saw the graphite there then he smiled.
“You have been drawing,” he said. She nodded.
