Page 2 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

“The Roaring Fork Trust LLC.”

I raised my head. “An LLC is the trustee?”

Six-pack turned to me. “That’s right.”

“Is that legal?” I asked.

“It is, and it’s common, Cord. The trustee can be an individual, a corporate trustee, or a combination of both.”

I was about to ask why my father would do this, but I knew the answer. The bastard had controlled us one way or another all our lives. Why did we think it would end with his death?

“Who are the members of the LLC?” Buck asked.

Six-pack looked him in the eye. “That is confidential.”

“It’s public information. Either you tell me, or I’ll find it on my own.” Buck leaned forward and rested his hands on the table. “If I find out it’s you, I’ll get you disbarred.”

When my brother turned to me, his expression softened. “I’m sorry, Cord.”

I shook my head. “This isn’t your doing. It’s the old man’s. And, Buck? I mean no offense by what I’m about to say.”

He nodded.

“This isn’t your battle to fight. You did your part. Now, it’s up to me to do mine.”

Buck picked up the chair that had toppled to the floor and took a seat.

I hated that the tactic I used with him was the same I’d employed with our father. I was the only sibling, other than my sister, who was able to diffuse his anger. Most of the time, I’d take the blame for whatever had sent him into a blind rage. I couldn’t explain why, but instead of meting out a punishment, he’d stare me down, then walk away.

Buck’s outburst and reaction to what I’d said, reminded me so much of the old man. No doubt, everyone in the room felt the same—him included.

“I have some questions,” I said to Six-pack.

“I doubt I’ll have answers.”

“Can you excuse us?” I asked, glancing at my brothers and sister, hoping they’d respect my request and leave. Buck and Porter, in particular. As the two oldest, they’d always felt responsible for Flynn, Holt, and me. However, I was a grown-ass man, perfectly capable of handling my own shit.

“You sure?” Porter asked.

“Positive.”

“We’ll be outside,” he said, motioning for the rest to join him.

“As I said, I don’t know anything beyond what’s stated in the codicil.”

I lowered my voice and looked directly at him. “If I don’t fulfill whatever it is, we’ll lose everything, right?”

He nodded once, and his shoulders dropped. “Look, Cord, I wish there was a loophole, but I sure as hell haven’t been able to find one. That highfalutin attorney Buck hired couldn’t either.”

“So, I wait.”

“That’s right.”

“In the meantime, none of us know our fate or the ranch’s.”

“I’m not the trustee.”

I looked into the attorney’s eyes. “I know you’re not.”

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