Page 14 of Run to Me
I pull in, slam my car into park, and jump up, rushing up to her and taking her into my arms. “I just heard. I’m so sorry, Liv. Your father was a great man. My dad could have learned a thing or two from him.”
Her tears start to wet my t-shirt, but I don’t let her go. I’ll stay here all day if she needs me to. She has to know I’m here for her. Hell, I’ve been in love with her since high school. Sure, I might have been to stupid to admit it because of the rivalry between our parents, but I’m done pretending.
Serena is sitting on the porch swing, watching us, but not with shock. Something tells me she already knows. Maybe Olivia hasn’t been keeping this a secret as much as I thought.
“Why don’t we get you inside and get something in your stomach?” I take her hand and guide her into the kitchen. She takes a seat at the island. “Anything specific?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“And you won’t be. Grief does that to you, but you still have to eat. How about just some eggs?”
“Fine.”
She is curt, but I don’t expect anything less. She has always been very close to her father. Something I always wished for. My father is just the opposite. Yet, I’ll still miss him when he’s gone.
I grab a frying pan from the cupboard, and turn on the stove. Serena comes and sits down next to Liv. So I grab three more eggs and mix them into the measuring cup and add some salt and pepper. “Scrambled eggs coming right up, ladies.”
There isn’t much I can do in this situation except be there for her. That’s exactly what I’m going to do. I remember when I lost my mom, I didn’t eat for a week. Hell, I don’t even think I left my bed.
“What am I going to do? How can I do this without him?” She puts her head in her hands. “I mean the auction is tomorrow for fucks sake. Losing him changes everything.”
I turn around. “Your father will be proud of you no matter what you decide, Liv. And you have the whole town behind you right now. He was well-loved in this community.”
His death is causing her to doubt herself, but the Liv I know, she won’t give up her dreams for anyone. This ranch, her plans for it, it’s something no one else is doing around here, and could be an amazing business, but she has to believe in herself.
I plate the eggs and set them in front of the ladies. “Dig in.”
After breakfast, Serena asks to speak to me privately, which scares me. She is very outspoken and I have no idea if she likes me.
“Listen, I know you guys have your hookups, but this isn’t the time to confuse her. She needs support, not someone praying on her vulnerability.”
I growl. “Is that really what you think of me? I’m here for her, not you. As I recall, I’ve also known her longer, so maybe you should trust that I know exactly what she needs. After all, I have experience in losing a parent.”
Her eyes bear into mine and she crosses her arms across her chest. “Don’t get all butt hurt, okay. Just looking out for her, because she can’t look out for herself right now.”
She leaves the living room and goes back to the kitchen. “I’ve got to head to work, but call me if you need anything. Love you.”
Liv gives her a hug. “Love you too.”
Once she leaves, the house is silent. Too quiet.
Liv moves to the couch and I follow her, taking a seat next to her. No expectations. Honestly, I just want to be here for her. Flashbacks of the day I lost my mom come back and I don’t want her to feel alone.
“When I lost my mom… I pushed everyone away. Things got really difficult and because of my age, I wondered what I could’ve done to keep her here.” I bring her into my arms. “Just know, your dad loved you unconditionally. I’ve never seen a more beautiful bond between a parent and child. And rightfully so, you are upset about your dad keeping his cancer from you,but think about it from his point of view. Would you have let him forego treatment?”
She shakes her head. “I’d want him to do whatever he could to stay with me.”
“And that’s why he didn’t tell you. Living your last months in a hospital is awful, believe me, my mom did that. My father made her do chemo, and guess what, we still lost her.”
The sobbing starts back up and instead of talking anymore, I just let her let it all out. She needs to know I’m here for her in more ways than just the one. We don’t need to talk as long as she’s not alone.
OLIVIA
The auction room’s bustling before I can even find my seat. My face is stained with tears, but I can’t let my father’s ranch go to anyone. Now, more than ever, I have to fight for what is ours.
My fingers tap along with the beat as I settle in at the table. Across the room, Ace is already watching. It takes one look, one tilt of his head. It means anything or nothing at all, but it’s enough to keep me poised.
I spread out my tools—the printed bid sheets that feel flimsy and antiquated next to the cool, sleek tablet—and cast a quick glance at the large digital counter mounted on the wall. Its red digits seem to taunt me.
