Page 53 of Stirring Up Trouble
When I saw my brother's name on the screen, I quickly unlocked it. Was something wrong? Was it an emergency? He never contacted me like this.
Wes
Are you up?
I looked at the time, noting it was one o'clock in the morning. How in the world would he know that I was awake? Or was it a lucky guess? More of that whole circumstance and kismet that I felt when I arrived at this ranch?
Easing out of bed so as to not wake Blaze, I took off down the stairs. In the living room, I cuddled up underneath one of the throws and texted him back.
Robin
Yeah, I'm awake.
My phone vibrated in my hand. Instantly I answered, "What's going on?"
Wes chuckled. "Nothing is going on. I just wanted to talk to you. I felt bad after the last time we spoke.”
"You did?" I asked.
"I did. I haven't been the best brother to you and ever since the last time I called, it has just been eating away at me. I want us to be closer. Want us to be family. You shouldn't have to be alone, Robin. You're my little brother, not some stranger that I send Christmas cards to once a year."
I snorted at the suggestion. It was a pretty accurate description of what we'd been doing.
“Well, if that's the case, you actually have great timing because I could use your advice.”
I decided to just dive right into my issues.
Wes hummed as if he were getting comfortable. "Okay, lay it on me. What's the issue?"
I swallowed, then went on to explain everything to him. He listened carefully, only interrupting when he needed clarification.
When I finished, he simply said, "Huh?"
I pulled the phone away and looked at it, then put it back to my ear. "That's all you've got after all that?"
“I mean, there's more on my mind, but I don't want to wake up Gerald. It's probably better if the two of you talk this out on your own.”
"Why do you want me to talk to Gerald?"
“Because he's been through something similar to what you're going through. He left his entire life behind at the Colman Ranch to venture into the city and get help. He completely rebuilt his life, and he's happier for it. We're happier. I got my forever person, and he found peace with the life he never thought he'd get.”
"Oh," I replied softly.
I knew the history between him and Gerald. It was something that I resented at first because my brother had dropped off theface of the earth without telling me only to pop up when least expected.
I'd gotten over it, but our relationship didn't get any better, that was for sure.
"You there, Robin?" he asked, dragging me away from the dreary thoughts.
"I'm here.If you think Gerald's up for talking about it later, I'd love for him to weigh in. In the meantime, do you have any general advice you might give me?”
Wes was quiet for a second. "I want you to think about life on the ranch. Is it something you could see yourself doing? Do you want to be Blaze's partner and help him grow the place to what it could be? To restore his family name? Because that's what you would be taking on if you were to move there. It's a big responsibility."
I didn't even have to think. Of course that's what I wanted.
“I want him and everything that comes with it.”
“Then you know what you need to do. Just so you know, I'm here to help in any way I can. If you need business advice or if, heaven forbid, I need to come down there one day for moral support, I can.”
