Page 136 of Burned & Bound

“Fine,” I muttered.

“Do you need help—”

“I can fucking do it,” I interrupted angrily. “I don’t need my fucking mother wheeling me around my own goddamn house.”

With Peter’s help, my entire living room had been pushed around to make sure a wheelchair could be navigated through. The couch had been outfitted for me to sleep on—much to my mother’s dismay, but I refused to sleep in the only downstairs room I had. I refused to take over West’s room.I refused to fucking open the door to his goddamn room.

Pissed that I even had to do this shit, I wheeled into the kitchen, making sure to take the turn slow. The whole propped-up leg thing was fucking annoying.

Standing in my kitchen was Charles Hart, West’s attorney.Fuck.He gave me a well-practiced smile when he saw me.

“You’re looking good, Mr. Myles,” he greeted.

“Bullshit,” I retorted. I looked like fucking crap. I’d stopped shaving, I hadn’t washed my hair in God knew how long, and I knew I looked tired as fuck.Because I was.“What do you want?”

“May I sit?” He gestured to the table, and I nodded. Putting his briefcase in front of him, he sat down. “I’m here on behalf of Mr. McNamara to settle the issue of Double Arrow Ranch.”

Good.Then I could be done with West and every painful fucking feeling his name incited.

“Now, before you say anything,” Hart continued, “I have been made aware of the agreement you and your foreman, Mickey Hughes, had about Mr. McNamara’s requirement to work the ranch.”

“Whether it’s by sale or by forfeiture, the land is fucking mine,” I said. “I don’t fucking care how I get it. I just want to be done with this shit so I can take care of my ranch.”

Or what was left of it.I wasn’t sure I had a business left anymore, but what did it fucking matter? I couldn’t ride. I couldn’t walk. Why not lose my fucking business too?

“Three months ago, Mr. McNamara appealed his father’s will and the conditions put on his inheritance.”He what?Hart opened his briefcase and began laying out papers on the table. “After taking into consideration Harrison McNamara’s behavior, the judge granted his appeal and awarded Mr. McNamara his full inheritance of Double Arrow Ranch.

“With that being said, Mr. McNamara has signed over the entirety of his half of Double Arrow Ranch to you. This document here covers the transfer of land while this one covers the transfer of the business and all its assets.”

“He could’ve just waited the fucking contract out and we would be exactly where we are now,” I said.

“He didn’t do it for you,” Hart replied. “He did it for himself.”

Why the fuck did he do that?

“And then there’s the matter of Bailey, Thunder Jack, and Betty,” Hart continued.Right, the fucking horses.He set out another piece of paper and an envelope. “While Mr. McNamara is uncertain of when he can retain the rights to take care of his three horses, he has hired me to be the middleman of their care. This is a contract stating the horses will continue to be cared for at Double Arrow Ranch but at the expense of Mr. McNamara. There’sa check in the envelope to cover the expenses of each horse going back to eight months ago and extending through the rest of the year. At the start of the year, I’ll make sure you receive another check. If any emergencies do arise, Mr. McNamara will cover those costs as well. You just have to—”

“Contact his attorney?” I finished bitterly. “And what if I don’t want to take care of the fucking horses?”

“We request one month for Mr. McNamara to find alternative boarding and care for the three of them,” he replied. Placing a pen on the contract, he pushed it in my direction.

Who the fuck was I kidding?Of course, I’d take care of the goddamn horses. I grabbed the paper and signed it. At this rate, I’d never be rid of West.

“Is that all?” I demanded.

“Mr. McNamara asked that I give you this.” He set another envelope on the table. I recognized West’s handwriting on the front. “It’s a letter explaining why he left.”

“I don’t fucking want it.” I didn’t need to know that shit. I’d spent too many nights trying to figure out why he’d left, but I no longer cared. He was gone and that was that.

“He is aware that you may feel that way,” he said. Closing his briefcase, he stood. “And now, I’m off to track down a firefighter captain in Merillville for him. Thank you for allowing me the chance to give you everything.”

“Not like I had a fucking choice,” I grumbled. I remained in my spot as he made his exit.

“For what it’s worth, Mr. Myles,” Hart began, pausing in the doorway, “I’d read the letter if I were you.”

“Yeah, well you’re not me, are you?” I snapped.

“No, I suppose not, but it might just give you the answers you’re looking for.”

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