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“They’re clean, it’s fine.” She rolled her eyes and couldn’t be bothered to abide by the house rules.
“Bella this is a working ranch, that means there’s cow shit all over and quite frankly having it ground into the floors and dragged all over the house isn’t pleasant for anyone. So take the shoes off or go sit on the porch until you can figure it out.” My voice was rising by the second and I wanted to hit her, it had been ages since I’d been in a fight but I was sure I could take her. She huffed and did as she was told.
“Now answer my question, where’s my son?” She crossed her arms and waited.
“He’s in bed. He had a long busy day and he was tired.” My tone was a little softer, he was a good kid.
“How badly did he fight you?” She smirked.
“He didn’t. As soon as he was tucked in, he was asleep.” Reaching for my tea, I took a sip and let the chamomile soothe my exhaustion.
“So now you’re super mom too?”
“No Bella, I’m just someone who isn’t you.” The snark that filled my voice couldn’t be restrained.
“A high and mighty bitch is what you are. When in reality, you’re no better than a two-bit whore who got knocked up by some random man. You don’t even know who your son’s father is. What kind of woman does that?” she huffed and paced the floor before getting right up in my face. “You’re nothing but a slut and the entire town knows it.” She leered at me, and I couldn’t lose my cool like I had this morning. It wouldn’t do me any good and it certainly wouldn’t help Kipp. Nash was right, my temper needed to be cooled.
“Yeah well, at least I didn’t get my ex-boyfriend drunk and sleep with him to just get pregnant, marry some other man, and keep his kid from him. That sounds worse than what I did.” Raising my cup, I drank my tea and waited. She didn’t do anything, she just turned and left the kitchen. I was sure this wasn’t the end of it, she was just regrouping, but I’d be ready for her.
A flash of light outside caught my attention, and I looked out the window and saw headlights illuminating the yard. Then I heard the rumble of Kipp’s truck.
He was home.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
KIPP
I’d never been so happy to be home, it had been a long eye-opening day and I was ready to crawl into bed. “Nora,” I said as I walked into the kitchen and found her sitting at the table. She was expressionless and she looked tired. “What’s wrong?” Pulling out a chair, I sat beside her. I reached for her hands and she didn’t pull away, but she didn’t hold mine back.
“I’ve had Nathan all day. Bella was gone to her mother’s and when she came back, she decided it was time to battle it out again today, so I’m just worn out. I was heading to bed when I saw your lights. There was also the small issue that I dunked her head into the dish water.” She gave me a half smile but it didn’t reach her tired eyes.
“I heard,” I said flatly.
“Who told you?” Her eyes widened in surprise.
“Mom. She was quite proud of you and so am I.” I couldn’t help the grin on my face. “I’m sorry you’ve had such a long day but I need to tell you something. The ranch we bought in Texas was west of Wichita Falls, from a nice couple who agreed to stay on the ranch and manage the place.” She was so tired it wasn’t registering, or I was being too vague. “They have a daughter, she was the West Texas Rodeo Queen when she was eighteen.” I watched her face as it started to percolate in her brain. “The couple kicked their daughter out when she got pregnant. The picture looked a lot like you but their last name is Pine.” She pulled her hands from mine and covered her mouth as she started shaking her head. “They know they made the biggest mistake of their lives.”
“You saw my parents?” she said as tears rolled down her face.
“I did, and your Rodeo Queen pictures.” I couldn’t help but smile. She rolled her eyes and slapped my arm. She was coming back to me. “Your mom proudly told me that breakaway roping was your best event. Which then led me to telling them about the incident here.” Her eyes went wide and her cheeks grew red. “No, I didn't tell them what happened after we came into the house. I showed them a few photos of you and Cooper. I hope you don’t mind. Your mom made me send it to her as I was leaving.”
She jumped off her chair and threw her arms around me. “I don’t mind a bit, thank you.” She let me go and sat back down. “Did they really want to talk to me? You’re not just saying that?” Her eyes filled with fear momentarily.
“They want to talk to you. Your mom said the number is the same.” A sob escaped as she sat back in her chair. “Why the name change?”
“I didn’t want to be found. I figured once my parents realized they’d over reacted they would want me to come home so I went by Belfort. And it worked, which probably wasn’t a good thing.” She gave me half a smile.
“Well, well it’s about time you got back.” Bella’s raucous voice would be enough to wake the dead.
“I hear you haven’t been here all day, either.” Without turning to look at her, I locked eyes with Nora. I wanted to let her know it was all going to work out. Bella stomped around the table, so I was facing her.
“I’m going to go, I don’t think I belong here.” Nora spoke quietly and stood, leaving the room and me to the viper across from me.
“What do you want?” I spat at her. There was a reason we’d broken up, a reason I always wore a condom. But if Nathan was mine, I would love him and deal with Bella pleasantly.
“I see you’re over the moon for her. I was wrong at the rodeo, she’s exactly your type. Young, doesn’t have a mind of her own, won’t talk back, and probably lies on her back, waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.” Her words were spiteful and jealous. She knew Nora was none of those things or she wouldn’t be here stirring up trouble. I wouldn’t let her get to me or realize how deeply I cared for Nora.
“She’s just the cook, Bella. She doesn’t actually mean anything. Here to work for me and the guys, nothing else.” I stared at her and watched her face change. Tracking where her eyes went, I saw Nora had been walking back to her room from the bathroom just then. She looked like a deer frozen in headlights, ready to run but not sure of which way to go. Standing, I wanted to go to her. As if a switch went off, I saw her raise her chin, square her shoulders, and go down the hallway to her room. I had expected a door to slam, or something, but there was nothing. Turning back to Bella, I was ready to wring her neck. “You better decide what game you’re playing here, because I will have answers and I will know the truth. So if there’s anything you have to say you better say it now. I won’t ask again and when I find out you’ve been lying to me, I will ruin you.” I leaned over the table, which made me only inches from her face. “I have the money and power to make that happen and you know it.” Clenching my jaw, I stared into her cold eyes, and she didn’t even blink. I thought I saw a flicker of fear break through just before she walked out of my kitchen.
