Page 28 of Wildest Dreams

I know what I could do, I could let my dad turn himself in. But I felt stuck between a rock and a hard place. I didn't know what to do for the best; and then you've got Dixie and Lainey... Clay was her dad. She is growing up without a father because someone killed him.

“Did anyone identify the body?” I ask on a whim, my thoughts cascading over me.

“His brother,” Austin turns to face me, “why?”

“Just wondering, just something feels off about the whole thing.”

I finish the remainder of my tea; the whole time Dixie's voice plays at the back of my mind.

It is my business if it was your dad that killed mydaughter’s.

“I've got to shoot off, Austin,” I say as I slip off the bar stool, hand back on his shoulder. “Keep your head up, there’s enough people that want to see us fall, don't let them see you slip. This will get rectified, I promise.”

He mutters something incoherent under his breath and I give his shoulder one last squeeze. Blue stands and follows me to thefront door. Reaching for my hat, I place it on my head before saying my goodbyes to Blue.

She closes the door behind me, and I inhale sharply.

My eyes narrow on my families ranch in the distance as my legs begin to carry me through the fields and back home.

I needed to speak to Dixie. I needed to speak to Riggs. And I needed to speak to Kelcie. Something is going on, I can feel it in my gut and we all know the gut always tells the truth.

Climbing the fence, my boots hit the ground just as Riggs storms out the door, eyes wide and I know he is fuming.

“What the fuck?” he whispers to me, eyes bouncing between mine.

I look over his shoulder and see my dad standing in the door, arms crossed against his chest. For fuck’s sake.

I told him to not say anything.

“Elaborate please, it's been a morning, and we have a bigger problem than the one you'rewhat the fucking.”

“Doubt that,” his nostrils flare as he turns.

“You're on about dad, right?”

I side eye him as we begin to walk towards the bunk house.

“What else would I be on about Tripp?”

“Well...” I pause as Riggs moves across to the bunkhouse and makes sure the coast is clear.

He nods towards the bunk then slams the door behind me as I walk in.

I turn my nose up at the mess.

“You wouldn't last an hour on the ranch anymore,” Riggs scoffs, kicking his boot into the floor.

“Funny you mention the ranch, I was thinking of coming back... as well as Pacey… if we can.”

Riggs laughs. Loudly. Head tipped back; thumbs hooped through his belt loops.

“Okay pretty boy, both come back on the ranch tomorrow and you can go out with the cowboys. I'll be here too.” He steps towards me, “Now, back onto what I called you in for.”

“Fine,” I nod, “I need to keep busy. I can't be worrying about Austin constantly; I can't just sit and feel helpless. I've lost my badge, Pacey is spiralling.”

I shake my head and my big brother closes the small gap between us.

“I've spoken to dad, and mom...” he pauses, and I can see in his green eyes they've made a decision without mine or Pacey's input.

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