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Then I let her follow her new dream. She was so broken when she left. Her soul shattered into a million pieces because the dream she had was no more. I will never forget the day it happened.
It was early summer, the warm days were in full swing and she was getting ready for her show jumping show in Austin the following week. She was on form and so was Blossom. They were the perfect duo. The equestrian world knew they were a force to be reckoned with.
The pretty Palomino and the beautiful blonde.
I was first out, stepped on the bottom of the fence as I leaned my upper body over and watched in awe as they became one in the training ring, cantering a steady pace before soaring over the jumps. Aspen always lifted herself from the saddle two footfalls before the jump, I loved how it seemed that she was standing in the stirrups, her hands up Blossom’s neck as the reins were loose for just a moment, putting all of her trust in her trusty steed.
Then came the colossal fall, the blood curdling scream.
I shudder at the memory that haunts me and when I lift my head, I see my dad standing in the doorway of my room.
“Riggs?”
“Yeah?” I shuffle in the chair that sits in the corner of my room and closest to the large sash window.
“What do you make off this Clay situation?” he asks me as he steps over the threshold of my room and sits on the edge of my bed facing me.
“Honestly, dad?” I sigh, drumming my fingers on the arm of my chair, “I have no idea. I feel like we’re being played somehow but I just can’t work it out. Does that make sense?”
I watch as he nods.
“I never thought it would come to this, where our own would sell so easily.”
“Is it worth it though? That’s what they’re probably thinking. I mean, most of them know no different, take Tom for example. He lived and breathed for this town. It’s all he knew, they were never blessed with kids and then when Ivy passed… well,” I sigh and swallow the lump that has formed in my throat. “Why would he agree to sell?” my voice cracks and I am annoyed at myself that I am letting emotion fill me.
“Because of what you said. He had nothing left, his ranch was sinking and losing money and he probably sat there and thoughtis it worth it.”
I sniff, ignoring the burn that is coursing deep inside of me.
“It doesn’t matter now though does it. Those greedy cunts have got their hands on that land now. Won’t be long before they take Crooked Creek down.”
My dad exhales heavily as he stands and walks across the hardwood floor of my room towards me, his hand resting on my shoulder as he gives my tense muscle a squeeze and I think that was the most fatherly and loving contact he has given me since I was just a child.
I lift my face to look at him, his eyes searching my face. He lifts his hand from me and slips it inside his flannelled shirt, pulling out a white envelope and holding it out for me to take.
“What’s this?” I blink at him.
“Have a look.”
I take the envelope from him, flipping it over and my brows crinkle when I see it’s not sealed. Running my finger under the flap, I pinch the piece of paper from the envelope and slowly slide it out. Resting the envelope on my knee, I turn the paper over and open the letter.
Last Testament and Will.
Tom Ranking.
My eyes trace the words out as I read down the letter and that’s when I see it.
Property deeds: The Oaks Ranch, Lovelock Bay, MT.
Riggs Jorge Rivera.
“What,” I whisper and read the letter again. And again. And again so that by the time it finally registers, the words are scorned into my corneas.
“The Oaks is yours son,” I lift my face to my father who is smiling down at me, “Now let’s stop these fuckers in their tracks before they take any more of our town.”
I push from the seat, and wrap my arms around my father’s shoulders as I embrace him. Endearment swarms me, and I just hold onto him until I feel his hands on my back, patting me in a soft rhythm. This has never happened before and for the first time I really do feel my father’s love.
“Thanks dad.”
