Page 40 of The Wayward Son

“I think everything changed when Dad was gone for those five months. The thought of never seeing him again made me realize how important you all are to me.”

“It was an eyeopener for all of us.” J.T. stood and poured them two more shots. After handing one to Sawyer, he sat back down. “Now. Tell me what’s going on with you and Jade.”

Sawyer drank his shot and followed it with some beer. “I don’t know. But I’m glad she’s back.”

“She’s…ah…really pretty. Who knew that was hiding under her hoodie and short black hair?”

“I know. Red hair. It’s kind of fascinating.”

J.T. cocked his head. “Are you feeling something beyond friendship for her?”

“I don’t know. But whatever it is I’m feeling, she just got out of a long, albeit weird, relationship. So, she needs a friend right now.”

“Right. But she doesn’t seem that upset about her imploded wedding.”

“I don’t think she is. The guy was a manipulator. And he’s called and told her he wants to get back together.”

“Shit.”

“Jade’s not buying it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. But she’s literally starting over from scratch. She gave up her apartment and her job. They were moving to Seattle when they got back from their honeymoon. I don’t know how much money she has, but I don’t think it’s much.”

“Well, she’s got a home here on the ranch for as long as she needs it.”

Sawyer was feeling the tequila, but this had been good. Talking things out with J.T. was always good. He leaned back on the couch. “Thanks, man.”

J.T. shrugged. “I’m your brother. It’s what we do.” They were both quiet for a few moments, then J.T. said, “Her old man’s dead, right?”

“Yeah. The bastard. I guess he died a couple years ago.”

“That’s what I heard. The house has been sitting empty as far as I know.”

“Jade hasn’t said anything about it. And I don’t want to bring it up.”

“No. If she wants to talk about it, let her bring it up.”

Sawyer felt himself drifting off, and he sat up. “Shit. I guess I need to go to bed.”

“Let me hit the john, then I’ll grab a couple of blankets for the couch.”

J.T. headed for the bathroom and Sawyer thought about the last time he and his dad picked Jade up from her father’s house. They were sixteen, and it was bad. She’d hit her father over the head with a piece of firewood and knocked him out. But not before he’d broken her arm and given her a black eye.

She’d called Sawyer in the middle of the night, strangely calm, and told him she thought she’d just killed her father. She hadn’t. By the time they got there, he was snoring loudly in the middle of the living room floor. Jake didn’t bother calling 911. None of them really cared what condition her father was in. It was the last time any of them had been to the house.

After a trip to the ER and a talk with the sheriff’s department, Jade was allowed to stay at the ranch for two weeks until her aunt worked things out with the court and then took her away. Jade had always been tough. Sawyer had never seen her cry. But the day she left, she cried in his arms. Other than his mother dying, it was the worst day of his life.

But now she was back, and he wasn’t sure how he felt about her. Other than relieved to have her in his life again. He supposed they’d find their way. Whether that meant they’d forman adult best friend relationship, or something else, he didn’t really care. Skittles was back in his life.

Chapter thirteen

"Alleged horse thief."

The first thing Jade did when she woke up was look out the window. The snow had come, but there were only a few inches. It was beautiful, lying heavily on the branches of the pine trees outside of her window, and untouched on the ground below them.

She took a deep breath. She was happy. And she couldn’t remember the last time she was truly happy. It was a good feeling, and she had the O’Connells to thank for it.

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