West of Forever (Heartstone Ranch #1)(80)

Jimmy huffs. “Yes, sure, fine. If this is what you want.”

We both know that’s the last thing I want, but this is the reality I’m faced with. Sadie will understand once I explain that I was helping a friend. My family will just figure this is well overdue and that I’ve been behind it anyway. As for me, whatever. I’ve endured far worse conditions than the Infinity Ridge Police Station.

“Can I go inside and tell Sadie?”

He blinks, and I see the resignation on his face.

One time, when we were sixteen, Jimmy stole a dirt bike. We both knew it was stupid. It belonged to his brother’s friend, who told us not to touch it.

But they were drinking, and…we touched it.

When the cops came, I took the heat for it. I knew that Jimmy had a lifelong dream of being in law enforcement. I did not. So no matter how many times he tried to say something, I cut him off and took the heat.

He had that same look in his eyes then.

“Yeah, I…okay,” he says with reluctance.

We go inside, and Sadie, Pop, and Harper are there. “I’m going in with Jimmy, and I’ll be out in a bit. Harper, if you could bail me out, that would be great.”

“What?” Harper nearly screams. “What the hell do you mean?”

I raise my hand and look to Sadie. “I didn’t do anything, but I need to go down there with Uncle Jimmy. Okay?”

“Daddy…”

“I promise, Cupcake, it’s fine.”

“All right, if you say so.”

I smile as best as I can. “I do. Now be good, and I’ll be home by dinner so we can talk about all the ways we want to punish your uncle.”

She grins at that. “Deal.”

I turn, look at Jimmy, and nod as I go to spend my time in jail.

I always knew my downfall would be a Gatlin.









Chapter 32





Lark




Today has been a weird day. My brothers are nowhere to be found, and I’m off with the horses.

Usually I see them at least a few times, but today—not once.

However, it’s probably a good thing I’m not around anyone. It’s as though my heart is not in sync with my body.

I was trying to work with a client’s horse, but the horse wasn’t responding, and I wasn’t into it.

Maybe it’s because my head is filled with his words about how I’m worthy and I shouldn’t let my family trample me.

Maybe it’s because I closed my eyes and dreamed of a world where I could be with him. Not in secret. Not where we’re lying to people, but where we could get on our horses together and ride to the ridge in broad daylight.

I need a break from my mind.

I want to see Tristan, which is a bad idea, because I shouldn’t want that.

But I do.

So, adding to my infinite stream of bad decisions as of late, I saddle my horse and head to the property line in hopes that maybe he’s feeling the same and is magically waiting for me.

Like a dumbass.

I start to get close, and my heart is racing as regret sets in. What am I doing?

Honestly, what the hell am I doing?

I’m going to the property line to maybe see him? Yes. Yes, I am.

No.

No, I will not.

Just as I start to pull my horse around to the right to head back home, I hear my name.

“Lark!” Sadie pops up before I can turn.

Shit.

“Sadie,” I reply with a wave and nudge my horse toward her.

Her smile is bright. “I’m back!”

“I see that. How was camp?”

Her skin is more bronze than the last time I saw her, and there are now some lighter highlights in her brown hair from her increased time in the sun.

“It was great. I had fun with my friends, and I think I’m in love.” She sighs dreamily.

Oh boy.

“In love, huh? Some camp you went to.”

She giggles, and I can’t help but do the same. Her eyes, the same color as her mother’s, are alight with that teenage girl first crush. I remember it, that exact feeling, and how special it was.

I kind of feel it now, but I’m not admitting that, ever.

“Yeah, it was fun, but he’s in Utah and I’m here, so it’ll never work. Whatever.”

“You have a lot of time to fall in love.”

She nods. “Yeah, that’s true.”

“Well, I’m sure your dad and your family are happy to have you home.”

Sadie purses her lips and then looks off. “Yeah, well, he’s in jail.”

“What?” I scream and almost fall off my horse.

She turns back to me. “Uncle Jimmy came today, and Dad went to jail. I probably shouldn’t be talking to you, because Grandad said your whole family is evil, but I don’t think he means you.”

I shake my head, trying to decipher all of that. “Wait, I don’t understand. Why is your dad in jail?”

“Because someone was on your farm, and then something about a video of him leaving the barn. I don’t know, I wasn’t following all of it since I was listening through the door when he was talking to Uncle Jimmy until Dad came inside and said he had to go and for Aunt Harper to bail him out.”