Page 4 of Echo
I thought about that man telling me not to walk Ranger at night, and it cemented what he said.
This place would take some getting used to.
Chapter 2:
Therestofthedrive went fast now that there was a bit of adrenaline rushing through my veins. I cleared the trees, as a large white wooden, two story home came into view. It was more than I could have hoped for and in perfect condition.
There was even an adorable wrap-around porch that was begging for morning coffee to be inhaled, while watching the sun rise over the view of the mountains. I guess I was the only one to have that thought, since the porch was barren of any furniture.
It was perfect. At least on the outside.
No doubt a house this old needed work, but Aunt Pearl had done her best to preserve her family home.This house had been passed down to the females on that side of my family for generations. The older generation often used that as a conversation piece, considering how rare it was back in those days.
Off in the distance there was a white barn that stood strong and proud as if it knew how it had fed my family for years. The sound of a rooster crowing and clucking echoed off themountains, as if it wanted to hear the farm’s sounds over and over again.
The familiar scent of sage drifted on the gentle wind when I opened my car door. I recognized the herb planted in rows around the front porch. Another practice that made me think of my grandmother.
There were two other vehicles on each side of me. One pristine black luxury car and the other an older model well loved truck. The person in the luxury car next to me stepped out to meet me before my foot was even out the door.
The woman wore a sensible pantsuit and a bright, friendly smile. Her dark-brown hair was pulled back out of her delicate face.
I recognized her as the distant cousin who called me. She was one of my grandmother’s other sister’s kids; Mary Ellen. “There you are. I hope you didn’t get too lost.”
“Just a little.” I laughed at her kind teasing. Now that I’d seen the property, I was even more excited. This place was perfect.
Another car door slammed, making me jump out of my skin. It’s him.
Her face snapped into something that belonged to a lawyer from the city. “You did not need to be here for this.”
A man I didn’t recognize stomped over to us, kicking dirt in the process. His mouth twisted into a frown. The red rimming his eyes said he hadn’t slept in a hot minute, so I was sure he wasn’t in the mood to fuck around. I was still relieved it wasn’t who I thought it was.
Ranger came to my heel and crouched into a ready position. The man’s mood was sour enough to have everything he’d been trained for on edge.
“This is my mother’s house.” The moment he opened his mouth the scent of liquor radiated from him. I’d spent giant chunks of my life hanging out in my dad’s bar, and rarely smelt itthis strong. His open flannel shirt showed a crumpled, white T-shirt that had seen better days. “I’m supposed to get this house.”
“Your mother wrote in her will that under no uncertain terms are you to ever have ownership of this farm. We’ve gone over this. Now leave, before Madison reports you for trespassing.”
Before I could open my mouth to refute the possibility of me reporting him for trespassing, he turned his wide, sky blue eyes to me. “It’s my mother’s house. I’ve worked almost every day of my life in this house.”
It was a stab in the gut. I couldn’t imagine being told that some nondescript family member, from three branches away, was being given my mother’s house over me. I’d be a mess too.
“She was a stickler for tradition, you know as well as everyone else. This house goes to a female in the family. Always.”
Guilt swamped my heart, along with defeat. Of course. The universe couldn’t let me win, not even once. “What if–”
“You were specially selected by Pearl. If you choose not to retain ownership, it will be transferred to my daughter. Not him. Do not let him affect the decision to keep the land or not.”
“This is bullshit.” He clenched his shaking fists.
I pressed my lips together. “We can work something out.”
It was a big house. Why couldn’t we coexist? I just needed a safe place to hide for a while.
“Fucking bullshit.” He slammed his fist down onto my car, leaving a massive dent in the hood. I leapt back, ready for him to turn his bad temper on me.
His eyes locked onto me full of venom and hatred, “This isn’t over yet.”
A snarl ripped from Ranger at my feet, but he didn’t move. If this man came at me, he’d be in for an even worse day.
