Page 25 of Head Above Water

“There hasn’t been water here since….” His father trailed off and knelt near the edge, running his fingers through the water. “It’s so cold, and it seems like it’s really starting to clear.” He seemed to take in the entire view. “What did you do with the dirt you dug out?”

“I had some of the men trailer it out of here, and we filled that area near the calving barn that got washed away last spring.” Bryce could almost see to the bottom now. “And it’s spawned the old creek that had crossed under the road and should meet the one to the north. So, I think we can put our plans to sell early on hold. We’ll have the water tested and then move some of the herd over here. And next year, if this water source stays steady, I think we might even look into expanding.” He turned to Hazard and smiled.

“Who do we have to thank for this?” his father asked as he looked into the spring once more. “I know the old watering hole wasn’t this deep.”

“Hazard. He and the men dug it down almost twenty feet in order to see if they could find the water. And they did. Our guess is that after the rain, the water found its old path to the surface.”

His dad sighed. “You know, I always worry, but I know the ranch is in good hands now. Both of your hands.” He smiled. “I told you that what you needed was someone to share this life with.”

“Dad, I think it’s a little early for those kinds of pronouncements, especially since Hazard and I haven’t talked about things long-term yet.”

“Fine.” He rolled his eyes and huffed slowly, like he thought they were both a little nuts. “I’m old, and I have cancer. I want to see you happy, and even as distracted as I’ve been lately, I know you have been.” His dad leaned closer and lowered his voice. “So, make up your mind, boy, and get on with it.”

Bryce decided to take his comments as humor. It made his belly less roiled. “How about you make up your own mind not to fucking die on me and get the hell better so you can go back to running this place, and I can breathe again.” God, there were times when he woke up in a cold sweat with things that needed to be done racing through his head.

His father stood still, with Bryce holding one arm, looking at the pool of clear water. “What are we going to do with Willard?” He breathed out with a sigh. “Your mother and I are at our wits’ end.”

“Maybe it’s none of my business, but it’s tough love,” Hazard told him. “Everyone on the ranch knows you love both your sons. That isn’t the issue.”

Bryce half expected his father to give Hazard the stink eye for speaking up about family business, which didn’t happen.

“That’s just the thing. Family business or not, it affects everyone on a ranch. We are all connected to this land, whether we own it or work on it. So, everything that happens is felt by everyone. And yeah, that boy has got to learn he needs to pull his weight. And that’s our fault. We let him get away with his flighty womanizing for too long. And now, it’s become a big issue. Your brother should be the one standing by you to help run the ranch.”

Bryce swallowed hard. “Dad. I need to tell you…,” he began, and almost instantly Bryce felt Hazard’s hand on his back, a gentle touch, just to let him know he was there and stood with him. The nerves that had been building up and working their way to the surface seemed to settle almost at once.

“What is it?” he asked as a breeze rustled the trees around them.

“The ranch isn’t what Willard wants. He has other dreams.” Bryce kept watching the water, not wanting to see his father’s heart break. “I have other dreams too.”

“I see,” his dad whispered, and Bryce felt Hazard’s gaze on him.

“It’s okay,” Hazard mouthed, and nodded.

Bryce swallowed hard. “No. I don’t think you do. I love the ranch and this place. It’s my home. But I don’t want it to be everything in my life. I want other things. I want to travel and see the world. I want to go out and experience more than cattle and horses.” He turned to his dad. “And maybe, as far as Willard is concerned, ask him what he wants to do. Find out what would make him happy.”

“How in the hell do I do that?” his dad snapped.

Bryce chuckled. “You sit him down and ask him. Sometimes, things in life are that simple. It needs to be something you and Mom do together. Without me.”

His dad turned to him with a ghost of a smile. “Done.” That was his dad. A man of action. He pulled out his phone and sent a message, presumably to Willard. “I asked him to come to dinner to speak to your mom and me. Do you think you can arrange to be otherwise engaged?”

Bryce turned to Hazard, who nodded slightly and smiled. “Yes. I think Hazard and I can make that happen. Now, I think we should get back to the truck.” Bryce began to guide his father, who shrugged off his help.

“I can make it on my own. I’m not dead yet.” He slowly tromped away, carefully navigating the trees and roots.

“Well…?” Hazard asked.

“What?” Bryce asked. “It looks like we’re going to be at your place.”

Hazard rolled his eyes. “Maybe. Or maybe not. How about you leave tonight up to me.” He drew closer, tugging Bryce to him. “I know of the perfect place where we can be as loud as we like, and there aren’t going to be any bat-eared parents to hear us.”

Bryce shivered as a wave of excitement raced through him.

A horn beeped, and Bryce rolled his eyes before taking Hazard’s hand, leading him out toward the truck.

Bryce passedWillard on his way out. “Your favorite—ribs for dinner,” he said as he approached his brother.

“What are they buttering me up for?” Willard snarked.

---