Page 94 of High Velocity

“The house is yours,” he repeats. “I don’t know if it’s your dream house or not, but you can turn it into whatever you want it to be. You’ve got Stephanie, you’re settled in, you need a house.”

His head disappears in a cloud of smoke as he takes a draw from his cigar and sits back in his chair, rocking gently.

“I don’t know what to say,” I finally manage.

He shrugs. “I picked Dan to run the ranch and carry on the family tradition for my father, but I’m handing you my house and my legacy; the High Mountain Trackers. That was my passion as much as you told me it’s yours.”

I’m too emotional to speak, so I stay silent and listen as he continues.

“I wasn’t blessed with kids, but I can’t tell you how grateful I am to your mother for giving me a chance at fatherhood. Son, you are mine in every way but blood and I love you. I could die happy and grateful tomorrow, secure in knowing my heart’s work is looked after.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I struggle to share.

“Nothing to say,” Ma says from the doorway.

I don’t know how long she’s been standing there, but long enough to have a few tears tracking down her face.

“Besides,” she adds as she steps out on the porch and makes her way over to Jonas, perching a hip on his armrest. “It’s pure selfishness on this man’s part. He wants to keep you close so he’ll have a front-row seat when you make him a grandfather.”

Jonas lets out a boom of laughter, squeezing Ma’s hip.

“I think your memory is starting to go, woman. I distinctly recall you’re the one who brought up the proximity to possible grandkids more than once when we were discussing the future.”

“Are you saying you don’t want any?” My mother turns it around on him, catching him by surprise.

“Well, no. That’s not what I said. Of course I’m?—”

But Ma won’t let him finish and smirks triumphantly as she cuts him off.

“Exactly. Just like I said.”

I toss back my drink and get to my feet.

“Both of you are jumping the gun, but I’ll leave you two to fight it out. I’m going to check on Stephanie.”

Ma smiles at me. “You do that, honey.”

I lean in to give her a kiss, and then find myself bending over to kiss Jonas’s weathered cheek as well.

“Thanks, Dad. I love you too.”

Thirty

Stephanie

“Back already?”

I look up to see Shane Wilcox walking across the parking lot toward me as I step out of the office.

“No, actually.”

I stop and shoot a quick apologetic look at Jackson, who is behind the wheel of his truck a couple of parking spots down, waiting for me. He has been for the past hour already.

“Just popped in for a visit then?”

I shake my head, sad, because I’m going to miss my partner. Of anyone I’ve worked with over the years, he made the best partner.

“More like saying goodbye; I just came out of a meeting with Bellinger.”

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