Page 14 of Cinnamon Cider Whiskey
“I’ll be by later this morning.” She rose and hugged Kitty. “Thank you so much.”
“Anything for family.” She put her forefinger and thumb to her mouth and gave a big whistle. “Let’s go, kiddos. Time for school.”
Her two children came flying up the porch steps, ran a circle around her legs while giggling, and then raced right through the front door, Kitty following one step behind.
For the first time in a long while, Cinnamon believed her life could actually turn around.
Austin leaned against the counter in JW’s kitchen and took the cup of coffee that JW offered.
“Well, last night sounds exciting,” JW said.
“Not sure that’s the word I’d use to describe it.” Austin chuckled. “I was a little gobsmacked to see Cinnamon standing on my front stoop at one in the morning, and then it took every ounce of energy I had not to get in my truck and drive to Idaho Falls.”
“Knowing you, thoughts of beating the crap out of Pete danced in your head like sugar plums.”
“Exactly.” Austin nodded in agreement. “If he does show up here, we all better hope he and I don’t cross paths because my blood is on fire.”
“So is mine.” JW filled his mug and pulled back a stool at the island. “You told me she was in bad shape, but you didn’t prepare me for what her face looked like.”
“At least she’s not making excuses for Pete anymore.”
“I can’t believe she let it go on this long.” JW rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m so mad at myself for not being a better cousin.”
“Trust me when I say there’s not a lot you could have done. My mom stayed with my dad on and off for nearly twenty-five years. My sister left her first husband because I landed myself in county lockup for beating the shit out of him. Had I not done that, who knows how long she might have stayed before either the worst happened or she had enough. Abuse is tricky, and victims are beaten down emotionally to the point they have no voice.”
JW laughed. “I know that’s not funny, but I’ll never forget me and JD picking you up that morning. You were quite proud of yourself and at the same time, you looked as though you’d swallowed a lemon.”
“I should regret my actions. But I don’t. And now she’s married to Brad, which is still weird as fuck.”
“Yeah. They make for an odd couple.”
“They’re happy and that’s all that matters.” Austin peered through the house. He wished he could see out the door to the porch. Better yet, he wanted to hear what Kitty and Cinnamon discussed. He was glad Cinnamon was back where she had a major support network.
And protection.
Pete wouldn’t last two seconds if he set foot on Whiskey Ranch.
“How are you holding up? It has to be strange to see Cinnamon after all these years,” JW said.
“That’s the understatement of the century, and yet, in an odd way, it’s like no time has passed.”
“I have to ask. Why did she go to you and not her family?” JW raised his hand. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m simply glad she’s here, so it doesn’t really matter. But I am a little butt hurt that she didn’t feel comfortable coming to me. Or Irish. She’s the closest to him.”
“Well, I know Irish had some pretty harsh words for her the last time they spoke and as for you or the rest of your siblings, it has more to do with her fear that Pete will come and cause a scene in front of the children. Or worse. Not to mention the shame she feels.”
“Damn. I hate that we made her feel that way.”
“It’s not you. It’s the nature of abuse,” Austin said. “I lived it my entire life. There were times I thought my dad beat my mom because of me. That if I somehow was a better kid, he wouldn’tdo it. I know that’s crazy, but to a small child, when you hear your father say things like,you’re making our kids pansies,orAustin would be a better linebacker if you didn’t coddle him so much,or my all-time favorite,I’m not even sure I’m their dad.”
“I can’t tell you how many times your dad almost lost his job. The only reason Chuck Holland or my grandparents kept him on was because of you and Tina.”
“I’m well aware of that fact and completely grateful for so many reasons. Growing up here gave me so many opportunities.” He pointed toward the front door. “One of them is sitting out there. Only I fucked that up royally.”
“She made her share of mistakes, like sleeping with Pete.”
“I forgave her for that the moment it happened.” Austin rubbed his temple. “I wasn’t a saint either. I said some horrible things to her the night that happened. Not to mention I slept with someone else too and she knew about it. But she broke my heart when she married that prick. I would have taken care of her and her little girl.”
“Watching Rosy die of cancer was the worst. That was the only time we were ever allowed to be part of their lives. I thought for sure she’d leave him and come home. But things went downhill from there.”
