Page 25 of Wildest Dreams

My dad's eyes follow, and I know the look that flashes across his eyes. Eyes that widen as I step closer to him, hands on my hips as I lower my voice.

“Tell me you didn't do it.”

My dad's head is dropped, eyes firmly fixed on the ground as I hear the sharp intake on his inhale.

“Dad, please, tell me you didn't,” and now I whisper, because I am struggling to get the words out.

His dark green eyes finally land on mine.

“I roughed him up a bit, he came onto the ranch late in the evening. Spooked your mother to death. I walked out with my shotgun, and he fronted me out. Telling me that he was coming for my three boys. He was disoriented, like he had lost his head or something. Pupils dilated and his normal impeccable self was scruffy and dirty.”

I look over my shoulder at Pacey and nod for him to go and sit with mom. He goes to protest, but with the slight narrow of my eyes, his head is down as he walks towards my mom.

Once I know he is out of earshot, I drag my dad towards the stools and sit him down.

“So, you roughed him around? Then what?”

“I hit him in the face with the stock of my gun,” his fingers lock between themselves.

I wait for him to talk. “He went down too easy, nose busted. It took me a moment to realise what had happened. I lowered myself over him, pressed my fingers against his pulse. It was beating, barely.”

I am shocked.

Words don't come easy.

“I stepped back, turning on my heel to run into the house for my cell, but when I came back outside... he was gone.”

He rolls his lips. Then wets them with his tongue.

“Next thing I know, he was found dead at the bottom of the cows field by the creek.”

I suck in a breath, a light whistle filling the room.

“You say nothing, do you understand me?” My tone has bite to it, a fair warning.

He gives a solemn nod and I walk towards the front door, and only then when I turn the corner do I see Dixie standing there, eyes wide and Lainey snuggled into her chest.

Running my hand through my hair, I look over my shoulder then let my eyes connect with hers.

“How much of that did you hear?” I keep my voice low, her beautiful blue eyes bounce back and forth between mine.

“Enough,” she whispers, and my fucking stomach drops.

“Shit,” I grit, reaching for her elbow, I pull her to out of the house and onto the front porch.

“Get off me,” she tugs away from me, careful not to wake Lainey.

“You don't understand, you shouldn't have been fucking eavesdropping,” my temper is slowly slipping.

“Where was I supposed to go?” her brows furrow.

“Anywhere, but not hanging around the corner of the wall listening to something you have no business listening to.”

“It is my business if it wasyourdad that killed my daughter’s,” and my fucking blood runs cold.

“What?!”

Fingers are running through my hair before they're dragging down my face.

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