Page 23 of Hold the Line

Unknown:Disappointed I haven’t heard from you. Got no time for your big brother?

Dammit.I couldn’t have just had tonight—one night to feel all the good before I had to deal with this?

As much as I would’ve liked to ignore him, when Richie wanted something, he didn’t stop until he got it—and I knew my brother well enough to know he wasn’t texting for a family reunion.

Time would only tell what kind of havoc he intended to wreak.

Chapter Eleven

Phoebe

Ourfamilydidn’tdoregular, scheduled dinners, but they tended to happen at least once a week anyway. Midafternoon Sunday, I headed out to the ranch. Since moving to my apartment a few years ago, I became intentional about spending time with my parents. I liked being with them, so I always carved out room.

Driving through the gate marking the entrance of my family’s ranch, I sighed like I always did. There was nothing like coming home.

On either side of the road, cattle grazed on patches of grass where lingering snow had melted. A couple ranch hands on horseback rode along the fence line, nodding in greeting. I didn’t recognize them, but that wasn’t unusual. The ranch employed a lot of workers—some long term while others were seasonal.

Long before I was born, part of our property had been turned into a luxury resort. A grand main lodge housed a spa and restaurant, and several private cabins had been built farther out, offering guests a secluded retreat. People visited to get a taste of cowboy life while enjoying every creature comfort they could want.

Our family homes were set well away from the guest areas. My grandparents, parents, and Caleb had built houses on our land, and once Cormac settled down, I figured he would build here too. As for me, I wasn’t sure yet. Though I’d been making good use of the resort’s spa since I was a teenager, living in town felt right for the time being.

I knocked before walking into my parents’ house. As happy as I was they were still crazy about each other; there were some things a daughter should never see.

Fortunately for me, they were fully clothed when I entered the kitchen. My mother was standing at the island, tapping away on her laptop, with my dad behind her, his arms around her middle, his face pressed against the side of hers.

They were a picture. My mother, a gorgeous, silvery blonde who oozed sophistication. My father, equally gorgeous, but rougher, with thick, dark stubble and chestnut hair that always looked like it needed a trim. While she was tall and willowy, he was as solid as a Redwood and even taller. He worked with his hands running the ranch and looked the part in his worn jeans and flannel. My mother was the head of marketing at the resort and didn’t believe in dressing casually. Even now, on a Sunday afternoon, she was wearing a fitted pair of trousers and a cashmere sweater. She’d never owned a pair of sweatpants in her life.

They were opposites in many ways, but Elena and Lachlan Kelly had a love story for the ages. I couldn’t imagine ever settling for anything less than their example of what a strong, respectful, and happy marriage should look like.

Dad broke away from his wife and enveloped me in a hug, tucking me against his massive chest. I’d only seen him a few days ago, but he held me like it had been a year.

“What’s shakin’, kid?”

I pulled back, dropping my bag on the huge, rustic farm table that fit our whole family with room to grow.

“I brought blondies.”

My dad’s mouth hitched. “You know you don’t have to bring anything when you come over.”

“And you know Phoebe would never show up empty-handed.” My mother closed her laptop and rounded the island, kissing the side of my head when she reached me.

She always kissed and hugged with a little more strength than necessary. She’d once told me it was because she hadn’t been taught how to properly do it when she was young. I liked her forceful hugs and kisses. They made me feel loved, and I was happy to be the one to help her make up for lost time.

“You know me so well.” I lifted the storage container out of my bag and passed it to my mom as the back door burst open.

“Aunt Phoebe!” Jesse plowed into me, wrapping me up in his little iron limbs. He’d been hugged plenty, but he shared the same affliction as my mother. Maybe it was a little bit genetic too. “What’d you make?”

“Blondies…and chocolate chip cookies.” The myriad of emotions Jesse’s face broadcasted in the two seconds he thought I hadn’t brought his favorite treat made me laugh. I looked at my dad. “Do you honestly think I could let this kid down?”

He chuckled and ruffled Jesse’s hair. “You’ve Pavloved him. He sees you and thinks dessert.”

My grin split my face. “I have absolutely no problem with that.”

My grandparents were off doing their own thing, but all my siblings and Hannah’s boyfriend, Remi, were gathered around the table, eating dinner.

Hannah had just finished telling us about a horse with chronic laminitis. She and the vet had been trying to help this horse for ages, and she was frustrated as all get-out. My sister was a horse whisperer, so it had to kill her not to be able to fix this problem.

But she had Remi, and Remi adored her. He couldn’t do anything to alleviate the horse’s pain, but he could lessen Hannah’s. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he murmured sweetness into her ear.

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