Page 10 of Rough
“There are contingencies in here, just so you’re aware,” he continues. “Remington has ten years to purchase the farm back from you for the same price you put into it. If he decides to walk away after those ten years are up, the farm is yours free and clear, with the exception of the house. Renee will be allowed to stay in the home until end of life, then it goes to Remington. You’ll have the option to buy first at a reasonable asking price before he’s allowed to list it since it’s technically on your property. If you decline, he can sell to whomever he wishes.”
Nodding in agreement, I just let his words go in one ear and out the other. I don’t give a shit what the agreement says. The Landrys asked me to do this, so I will. The technicalities don’t matter to me.
As soon as we’re done, he gathers his things, wishes them the best, then leaves the room. The three of us are alone now and you could hear a pin drop if it weren’t for the machines beeping.
Finally, I break the silence. “Ihatethis!”
“Come here, girl,” Donny cracks out, holding a hand out for me. My feet work on their own, moving around the side of the bed until I fall to my knees on the floor next to him.
His hand grips mine, and I can’t stand how weak it is. On a broken cry, I drop my head onto our joined hands. Renee comes to my side and sits on the bed next to Donny. “Thank you, honey,” she whispers, brushing a shaky hand over my hair.
“Don’t,” I choke out, peering up at Donny. “You’re a right bastard, you know that?”
His bloodshot eyes meet mine with humor and shining with tears, with his lower lip wobbling as he pulls me toward him. I let myself fall against him as his frail arms wrap around me. I don’t give a shit if I look pathetic. This man has been everything to me, so I break apart on his chest and sob, clenching his hospital gown in my hands.
With a kiss to the top of my head, I let Renee adjust the oxygen tub in his nose as he soothes me. “Shush now, girl. You take care of my boy. You will, won’t ya?”
Another sob escapes me, desperate to tell him I haven’t heard from Remy in over three years. I don’t want to disappoint him, so I nod my head and whisper, “Promise.”
“Good… good,” he grunts tiredly, his arms falling to his sides as I lay against his chest. “That boy has always loved ya, you know… Little shit shoulda never left.”
“Don,” Renee reprimands him. “He’s been working hard.”
“I know,” he says, breathing as deeply as he can. “But that boy needs to come home where he belongs.”
Turning my head on his chest, I wipe my tears away, forcing myself to gain some semblance of control. “He’ll come homewhen he’s ready.” I can’t respond to his comments about Remy always loving me. Maybe as a friend or little sister, but nothing more. Not the way I’ve always felt about him. Aboutallof them, honestly. Those boys were my life. Even if they aren’t here now, they’ll always be a part of me that’ll never disappear.
“Don’t doubt it,” he murmurs, closing his eyes and relaxing into the bed. Donny Landry mutters another few words that don’t make sense, so Renee brushes his hair busily until he fades off to sleep.
The two of us sit at his side for another seven hours, only exchanging a few words here and there. Murphy Foxburg never comes back in. Remy doesn’t call, nor does Renee call him.
Just after two in the morning, Donny’s breathing changes to something erratic and inconsistent. I’ve been around death enough to know what it means, and my eyes find Renee’s over his body. We each grab one of his hands and sit up straighter.
Without drawing her attention, I press the call button lying on my side of the bed to alert the medical staff that it’s time. Slipping into the room, two nurses and a doctor wait patiently in the room with us. Renee’s gaze is locked on her husband’s face until his chest rises, then falls for the last time.
One of the nurses quickly silences the alarm while we both sit next to him like statues. I refuse to move until Renee does. Another forty-five minutes pass before the silent tears that have been running down her face are scrubbed away by her fist, a sob escaping her as she drops onto his unmoving chest.
The next hour is a whirlwind as I stick by Renee’s side as different members of the staff speak with her, having her sign an obscene number of papers. She rode in the ambulance with Donny, so I drive her home once everything is done.
Our drive is silent, but peaceful. I barely register when Renee calls Remy to let him know his father passed away. It’simpossible to hear him through the phone, but I resolve myself to be there for Renee until her son arrives.
After settling Renee into bed, I find myself standing in the living room, looking around at the empty furniture. Nothing has changed in the last twelve hours here, but I can feel the absence of the man who’s made this place his home. Soft scraping at the front door causes the corner of my lip to tilt up for the first time today.
Opening the door, I let Lucy inside. She huffs out a tired breath as she flops on the floor next to the couch. I curl myself onto the couch in the Landry’s living room to stare at the ceiling until the sun rises a few hours later. Today is the day I’ll see Remy, Clyde, and Wilder again after five years.
Today is the day the rest of my family comes home.
Chapter Four
Remy
Ihang up my phone and let it fall in my lap. The other three in the SUV are all awake, but no one says a word. They know that my dad just died.
Clyde is driving with Wilder sitting in the front passenger seat. Trina insisted on coming along with us. It made sense at the time since she’s been with us almost every single day since she showed up, but it feels uncomfortable having her here forthismoment.
Wilder is staring at me, face blank of emotion as he waits to see what I’ll say, and Clyde only looks ahead at the empty highway. It’s after two in the morning and we still have another seven hours until we make it to my home.
Fuck. My fucking dad just died.
