Page 128 of Forever To Me

“Yeah, real sellable,” I grumbled, grabbing the rope.

Mack waves a hand. “That’s why he’s out there! That one’s a billy goat, and he’s mean as hell, Dad. He’s gotta go.”

I stare at her. “And instead of, I don’t know, asking me first, you figured you’d just slap a sign on him and park him roadside like a free couch?”

Mack shrugs. “Could’ve worked.”

I exhale hard. “We’re taking him back to the barn before someone calls the sheriff.”

Mack groans but follows as I lead the goat back toward the barn, muttering about the lunatic I'm raising. Billy fights me every step of the way, pulling and bucking like an overgrown toddler who doesn't want to leave Target.

As we reach the barn, Mack huffs. “Fine. I’ll try something else.”

I'm already skeptical as I glance at her. “Something else like what?” I'm actually afraid to hear her answer.

Mack lifts a shoulder. “I’ll take him to the bar.”

I stop mid-step and turn to her slowly. “The hell you will.”

She grins. “C’mon, think about it. Saturday night crowd? Drunk people make terrible decisions. I could get double what he’s worth.”

I press my fingers to my temple.I feel a massive headache coming on. “Mack.”

“Dad.”

I exhale and look up at the barn ceiling, whispering a prayer for patience. I know that I did this. I encouraged her to beindependent, entrepreneurial, and problem-solving. And now, I have to own it. Plus, the goats are my fuck up.

Apparently, twenty-four damn goats are my fuck up.

Billy the Demon bleats.

I sigh.

Maybe if we put a For Sale sign on Billy at the bar, that wouldn't be such a bad idea.

It’s late. The house is quiet.

Maggie’s asleep. Mack’s asleep. Violet should be asleep.

This is why I don’t think twice when I walk out to the back porch, pick up my guitar, and start playing.

It’s a habit. A ritual. Something I do when the words get too heavy in my chest. It’s the perfect way to wind down.

I pick at a melody, my fingers moving on instinct. Then, before I even realize it, I’m singing. And that’s when I hear it.

A sharp inhale.

I look up—and there she is.

Violet. Standing in the doorway with a blanket wrapped around her and her hair falling down around her shoulders. Watching me.

We lock eyes, and I freeze mid-verse. She just stands there, staring at me like I’m her prize.

I clear my throat. “How long have you been standing there, Red?”

She swallows. “Long enough.”

Shit.

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