Page 99 of Forever in the Country

Tanner had flipped me off on my way out the door, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Luckily, he knows that.

The article about Vetted Paws had gained some traction, and we’d had to officially hire Marlee to manage the accounts until we could figure out our next step. Despite his grumbling, Tanner was a natural at putting people at ease, and we’d agreed that he’d handle more things at the front of the house so I could work behind the scenes.

I wasn’t naïve enough to think I’d never have to do an interview or charity event. I just didn’t want to do it all the time.

My feet follow the same path I’ve been making for the last fifteen minutes through the building, passing Otto and Case on their way to the truck for another load. Mama, Rhea, and the girls are all talking and cooing to the dogs as we get the place ready for the soft opening this weekend.

I’d mentioned I needed a little help making sure things were in order, and practically the entire damn town showed up to help. Apparently, a guy asks for help one time in twenty years and he can’t hear the end of it.

The thought makes me grin but not as big as watching Miss Thelma with a clipboard she’s commandeered, barking orders to anyone within earshot. As I drop a kiss on the top of her white hair, she blushes and then smiles wide, patting my cheek with her free hand.

“So proud of you.” Her words are quiet but I have to swallow down the emotion all the same.

“Hey man,” Otto starts as he walks past me, “this stuff isn’t going to stack itself.”

“He’s just sayin’ that cause he’s winded,” Case adds with a smirk, and I shake my head as I walk back to the parking lot, leaving them bickering in the storeroom.

My boots crunch over the gravel as I step out into the sun. This time though, there’s a small SUV in the parking lot, and Vivian and Michael are standing next to it, their luggage in the back seat like it has been since they were unceremoniously booted from their hotel forpainting and maintenance.

“This is…nice,” Vivian says, and I have to force myself to relax as she looks around the building that Tanner and I have busted our asses over.

“What are you doing here?” I ask but I honestly don’t care. I need them gone, and I need it to happen before everyone inside realizes what’s going on.

Vivian turns up the charm with a smile faker than Otto’s hair color that summer we convinced him that frosted tips were all the rage. “We came to see what our son has been working so hard on since we really didn’t get to the last time we stopped by. We’re sothrilled, a war hero and a humanitarian.” Her inflection is dripping with a saccharine sweetness that makes my jaw tighten.

Their last-ditch effort is unwelcome. They’d been here before and I was just as pissed seeing them now as I had been a few days ago after they’d been shunned from everywhere else in Clementine Creek.

And Blackstone Falls.

“You know nothing about me.”

“But we want to,” she says, and my father shifts on his feet. I can’t quite get a read on him. “We’re just so proud of all our son has accomplished.”

“And what about your daughter?” My hands flex at my sides as an older model pickup comes into view, pulling in on the other side of my truck.

I can’t see the driver or the passenger, but I don’t need to in order to know who’s inside.

“You know we never really connected,” she says flippantly, and I feel myself lean forward before a hand lands on my shoulder.

Bodhi Maxwell stands next to me without saying a word—solidarity in his actions as he stares at my parents. He and his foster brother, Mason, had found refuge in Clementine Creek and jobs working with Case and Otto.

The energy radiating off Bodhi matches my own. He doesn’t knowmebut he knowsthis.He knows vindictiveness and manipulation and he knows loyalty.

The door opens behind us, and Case curses loud enough for me to hear. I ignore it as I focus on the man who was supposed to be my father.

“Well then, thank you,” I say. Michael’s eyes widen and Vivian leans closer like I’m about to fix the mess they found themselves in. Like I’m going to choose them over the people at my back. “Thank you for helping me finally let go of my past. My home is here. My family is here.”

I swear Miss Thelma growls something likehell yeah, we areas footsteps sound around us, but no one else speaks. Their presence is almost deafening in this moment, but it’s all the reassurance I need.

“We’re your parents,” Vivian declares and I shake my head.

“You might have given me life, but I’ve made my life here. My forever is here and you’re not part of it.”

As if I’ve summoned her, Rhea’s hand slips into mine and she squeezes firmly, giving me the last push I need to end this.

“Sorren, let’s talk about this in private,” Vivian tries as she glares at Bodhi, ignoring the crowd behind me and the girl at my side, but it’s no use. She’ll never understand.

“He stays,” I say acknowledging Bodhi. “They all stay.”

---