Page 39 of A Reckless Memory

“We never discussed a purchase. Maybe he told Stephanie that, but she never told me.” He started chopping in tight, hard movements. Was it to have something to do with his hands or to keep from meeting my gaze? “He had to know I couldn’t afford it.”

His words from our breakup filtered through my head. I had all the resources I needed. When Daddy didn’t provide, Mama had made sure I was taken care of. Now I was thirty-one, with a house, a fledgling rescue, and a good job I got because of the degree I used Mama’s money to pay for. “I’m not here about that, and I can see it for the manipulation tactic it is.”

He paused, his look questioning.

I cleared my throat, wishing I’d offered to help cook so I’d have something to do with my hands. “Daddy manipulated all of us, and he uses the ranch and the oil money to do it. Cody, Wilder, and Eliot are all at his mercy. I guarantee that’s why Austen joined the military. Daddy used you to manipulate me into staying, and he used me and my brothers to coerce Mama into staying as long as she did. When both her parents were gone, they left her money, and that’s what she did for me. After talking to Gustafson...”

Ansen and I had been pawns when we were younger. I could see it clearer than ever. Would Daddy have acted like Gustafson if Ansen had backed out before Cody busted him? I’d like to think not, but seeing the effects now... I could empathize with the position Ansen had been in. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he saw your ambition and wanted to use it for himself. He probably told his daughter one thing and everyone else something else. His story sounds a lot better the way he’s telling it now.”

His brow furrowed. He dumped the ham and veggies he’d chopped into a bowl and grabbed a carton of eggs. “He went after me like it was his mission.” He shook his head. “I thought I was doing the right thing when we broke up.”

“And once you were married, you would’ve been at his mercy.” It was Daddy’s playbook.

“I didn’t want his company. His stock. His legacy. I want to build my own. That’s the way it’s always been.”

His words sank in, and I paired them with our argument from years ago and what he’d told me about growing up. He had nothing and Daddy had taken advantage of it. More empathy surfaced until my face warmed. “There’s nothing wrong with that.” I changed the path of the conversation. “The abuse? Did you notice it before?”

“One of the guys was rough with the animals.” His gaze turned to steel. “Stephanie always seemed salty toward the horses.”

On that, I could empathize. “They got all of Gussy’s attention.” He cocked a brow, and I explained. “He called me ‘honey,’ so I called him ‘Gussy.’”

He tipped his head back and laughed. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and I was riveted. The man—when he was uninhibited—was intoxicating. “You got some Barns running through you.” His smile faded. “Gus is a hothead. It’s his biggest downfall. He can compete, he can train, but he loses his temper, and the horses don’t work as well for him. I think that’s what really upset him when I finally quit.”

“You, uh...might not have to worry about him anymore. Maybe.”

He took his gaze off the pan to glance at me. “Why?”

I lifted a shoulder. “I mentioned harassment charges and legal fees and hinted that I had the time and money.”

His gaze was steady on me. I twisted my fingers in my lap. Was he angry? The Ansen I used to know didn’t worry about getting emasculated, but he’d been through a lot.

He turned his attention to the eggs and jerked into action. I didn’t say anything as he finished the omelet. My appetite wavered. Had I crossed the line? First, I lured him here. Then I interfered on his behalf. Was I wrong to assume I could use my last name to help? I’d been so irritated with Gustafson and the holes in his story and his single-minded determination to destroy Ansen for making the right decision that I had to make the threat.

Once Ansen slid the food onto a plate, he picked up the other plate and carried them both to the table.

I didn’t expect him to lower to a squat in front of me, his eyes brimming with concern. “You can’t threaten him, Aggie. What if he tries to ruin your life like he did mine?”

“He knew he could take his wounded ego out on you. I’m nothing to him. Besides, I’ve dealt with Daddy. I can handle Gussy.” Might as well use what little Daddy gave to me.

“Your dad used to call me every couple of years.”

Shocked, I stared into his solid brown eyes. They were my anchor. “He never mentioned that.”

“He just wanted to talk about how it was going and what my plans were. He didn’t call after I told him I was seeing Stephanie.”

“Oh.”

“He never called you, did he?”

Numbly, I shook my head. Daddy never called me. He didn’t chase after me. The news he heard about me came from my brothers. I’d been the one to reach out, and each time, I’d regretted it. I should be used to feeling unwanted and invisible when it came to him. Hurt was a full-body wrap that I didn’t get to shed often enough, but new layers continued to be revealed.

“He didn’t deserve you,” Ansen said, his voice offering the comfort I’d gone without for so long. “You know that, right?”

“No.”

“Ah, Aggie. Anyone’s lucky to have you in their life.” His fingers tightened on my legs, and God help me, I was dying for him to stroke upward. “Only the really stupid ones lose you.”

Do not fall for this...

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