Page 27 of Bull Rush

“I can see that.” I look around the office. “I’m sure all of this was built ethically.”

“Beautiful, isn’t she?” Grant surveys his surroundings because he gives me a smug look of interest. “You should come to work with us. We have a third office up here we kept open for you. Figured you’d be back someday. We could find you space for an apartment up here. Get you out of that dusty old ranch and into something more your speed.”

“I can’t imagine you were living that rough in Cincinnati.” Lev gives me a questioning look.

“I was living in an RV.”

“Oof.” Grant shakes his head. “I don’t know why you insist on that kind of poverty when you have the money to do better.”

“I’m happy keeping life simple. I don’t need all this fancy shit you all do, or the trouble that comes with it.” We’d taken different things away from our parents’ death. I’d seen two people who were dead as a result of my father’s greed and my mother’s complicity in his crimes. My brothers had seen an opportunity for revenge and newfound wealth. I suppose there’s something poignant to say about how we all grieve in different ways, but I prefer not to think toolong on it.

“Simple isn’t always good.” Grant shakes his head.

“Simple’s boring as fuck,” Lev adds.

“You’re entitled to your opinions,” I counter.

“And the millions our opinions make us.” Lev smirks.

“Well I should be going.” I give him a flat look and then turn to leave.

“Just have lunch. I’ll have it brought up here.” Grant’s tone softens, and it’s rare enough that it compels me to pause.

“We missed our little brother. You can spare an hour, can’t you?” Levi spoons on a little more guilt.

“Fine. Just lunch though, and then I’ve got to get back. I was going to help Elliot repair one of the fences,” I reluctantly agree, although I’m sure I’ll regret it.

An hour later,we’ve discussed how our sister Aspen and her daughter Fallon are doing, sharing updates we get from her as she’s on the road with her job. We cover all the new additions to the hotel and casino, and Grant fills me in on their ambitious expansion plans, and follow it up with a debate on how the town of Purgatory Falls is going to feel about it. Levi presses the same issue Grant did about me moving to the tower, and I shake my head as I put my fork and knife down for the waitstaff to take away.

“I’ve got business at the ranch. It’s easier to just be there.”

“Fixing fences? Chasing horses? Be serious. You’ve got people that can handle that for you.” Levi looks at me thoughtfully.

“It’s not the fences he’s chasing, it’s the girl.” Grant drops his napkin on his plate and sits back to study me.

“I told you—” I start, but Grant cuts me offat the pass.

“Don’t lie. This is the Stockton family vault. You can tell the truth here.”

I give him a skeptical look, and he sits a little straighter.

“Can I?” It’s an open question. There’s a giant chasm between us and where we left things when I went off to play ball. Hazel wasn’t the only person I left behind. I divorced myself from every part of this town, including my family.

“The past is water under the bridge. I wish you’d stayed, but I understand now why you didn’t. Levi and I make a better team anyway, so no hard feelings.” Grant shrugs.

“Gee, thanks.”

“Of course.” Grant flashes an amused look in my direction.

“You want her back?” Levi asks, circling us back to the conversation at hand.

“Wouldn’t you?” I put the question back to him. “If you could have Cora back?” She’d been his near obsession for a while before she left. He doesn’t answer. He doesn’t have to. We all already know what he’d say. “Then you know.”

“But I don’t.” Grant raises a brow. “So tell me.”

“She’s my wife. I want it to stay that way. That’s all there is to tell.” I’m willing to admit the truth, but I’m not ready to have a session where we all discuss our feelings about it.

“Well…” Grant looks out the window, staring out over the expanse beyond as he contemplates it. “Then just let us know what we can do to help.”

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