Page 6 of Unbearable

Everyone said I was my mother’s twin, while the boys all took after Dad, with their dark hair, dark eyes, and tall builds. As for me, I inherited Mom’s blue eyes, blond hair, and curves.

Dad brought me out of my trance, startling me. His weathered face bore the lines of age since I had last seen him. His once dark hair is now peppered with gray, though his warm brown eyes still held the same kindness they always had.

He sighed, and I could feel the heaviness of it. “She was a beauty, don’t you think?”

While I had come to terms with my grandpa’s passing, it did bring a lot of emotions, including the grief of losing my mother, to the surface, just as Noah had predicted it would.

“Yeah, she really was.” I gave him a small smile, and my eyes started to sting, overwhelmed by the emotions of not only the day, but also the past ten years.

“Oh, sweet girl, come here. What’s going on in that head of yours?” He smelled of Old Spice with a little bit of pipe tobacco as he wrapped me in a hug.

“It’s been a lot lately.” I looked up and blinked, attempting to regain my composure. “But I am happy to be back in Woodstone for a bit.” The thought of Woodstone Falls no longer being my home weighed on me as the words left my mouth.

“Gram, Grandpa, and your mom would be so proud of you. I hope you know that.” He paused for a moment, adjusting the picture frame that was slightly tilted to one side, and turned back to me. “You look just like her. I think seeing you here, in Woodstone, for the first time in a while, made me realize how much. You have the same blond hair, blue eyes, and freckles.”

“And all the boys look like you.” I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

“I’d say they all got the short straw in it, if you askme.” He chuckled. “Are you still having trouble in Seattle?” He pulled away and met my eyes.

I absentmindedly twisted my mother’s necklace, the only thing I had left of her. “Occasionally, but not often. Every time a note comes, I report it. But there hasn’t been anything lately.” Reluctant to discuss mysecret admirer,who had become more of a nuisance than anything, I changed the subject. “Did you hear about the cabin?”

If he sensed my apprehension, he didn’t push. “That he left it to you? I assumed he would. It’s no secret he wanted you to come back, even if it was after he was gone. You always loved that cabin in a way your brothers didn’t. I think he knew that.”

I wasn’t sure what I expected when I came back to this town, besides maybe a few lattes from Woodstone Perks, but getting the cabin was not anywhere near my list. Apparently, I was the only one thoroughly surprised by that.

“Yeah, we’ll see. I’m due back at work in a month, so I plan on maybe fixing it up for a renter and then getting out of here.” I shrugged.

“It’s not in the best shape since Grandpa was in a nursing home the last few years. I’m not sure it’s been kept up with in years,” he said, echoing my thoughts from earlier. “Merely a fair warning. Keep an open mind when you check it out.”

“I figured it’s kind of a mess. I’m going to look at it tomorrow.”

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed two glasses from the cabinet. I held them up in a question. He nodded, fetching the tequila to pour us both a glass. We exchanged a nod in a silent cheers.

As the fiery warmth subsided, he cleared his throat andquietly remarked, “Well, I think you are right about it being a mess. Say the word if you need help.”

“What, are you going to help me in between keeping up on the ranch, helping Dorian with Gracie, and supposedly being ‘retired,’ huh?” I chuckled, but there was a sense of sincerity behind it.

We shared a knowing glance. Despite retiring a few years ago, he continued to work on our family’s ranch whenever an extra pair of hands was needed, which was often. He understood my reluctance to have him help with the cabin, especially when I had the means to fix it up, even if my savings account would take a hit because of it.

“I know, but I bet your brothers and Trent would help out when they have time.”

I rolled my eyes. I knew that I would need help, but I didn’t want to ask anyone to put their lives on hold for me. My brothers all had their own busy lives now.

“They probably have even less time than you.”

We settled at the kitchen table, the same one where I had eaten breakfast every morning and shared countless Sunday family dinners. The rough texture of the dark oak gripped my fingertips, drawing my attention to its familiar wear.

“Trent then. We are getting into the slow season. We have hired more ranch hands lately, so he should have some time on his hands.” Dad, along with everyone else, knew something must have happened between Trent and me. He assumed we could simply pick up where we left off, but that just wasn’t the case.

“Yeah, I don’t think so. I want to take care of the cabin because I care about it. It holds so many memories for me.” I let out a breath. “But my life is in Seattle, and I am headed back there in a month.” My tone was short,dismissing any further conversation about Trent. I wasn’t ready to delve into why Trent was the last person I wanted involved in the cabin’s restoration.

“Well, keep me posted on how it all goes.” He stood from the table. “I am headed to bed. You okay sleeping on the couch? Already got some blankets and pillows set out for you,” he said, putting his glass in the sink.

“The couch? What happened to my room?” I asked.

“When you don’t come back for ten years, I tend to change things up.” He gestured to the living space. “I never had the heart to change things down here from how your mom decorated all those years ago.” He paused, blinking after a moment and turning back to me. “But after you left, I updated the bedrooms. Your old room is my new home gym. Colt and Dorian’s room is now set up for Gracie with only a toddler bed in there. Sawyer’s room is still set up, but I am assuming he is staying here tonight once he gets back from whatever it is he is doing.” He chuckled. “You could text him and make him take the couch.”

“Yeah, he said he would be here in the morning. No worries, I’ll take the couch. Maybe I can stay at the cabin soon since it’s mine now.” I shrugged.

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