Page 94 of A Reckless Memory

“G, that dog is too old to be playing horse,” Cody said in the “Dad” tone I was glad was aimed at someone else. “Get off him.”

My little nephew’s shoulders slumped, but then he whacked his seven-year-old sister’s shoulder. “You’re it.”

Ivy giggled and ran after him. Grayson’s plain black snow boots slipped in the melting slush. The temperature was over forty degrees, and being outside was like a day at the beach—the gravel driveway was our sand and the snowmelt was the water source.

I soaked up the scene in front of me, but a pensive atmosphere surrounded Cody. “How’s it going with the in-laws?”

He grunted, but a line formed across his brow. “They’re, uh, looking at schools. For the fall.”

“What?” Cody couldn’t give up the kids. They couldn’t move across Montana and away from all the rest of their family. How many days like this would we get?

“School in Buffalo Gully has been...” He pushed his sunglasses up and rubbed at his eyes. “Grayson’s been having outbursts, and I think the change might be good for him.”

“But you work from home.” He had often gone to the office at the ranch to work, but since Meg died, he’d stayed at home. “Can’t you at least go with them?”

His gaze was steady on the kids. Grayson tripped and fell, runoff from a nearby snowbank splashing in his face. Ivy tagged him and was streaking across the lawn when Grayson rolled up and shrieked.

I jumped, the shrill sound startling me. I pushed off the railing to run to him.

“I got him,” Cody said and strode across the driveway. “Hey, buddy. What’s hurt?”

He got Grayson to his feet, and my nephew pointed accusingly to his sister, who ignored him and frolicked with Tex. I couldn’t make out what Cody was saying over Grayson’s shouts. Several minutes went by before Grayson quieted and my brother straightened. Grayson trudged off to sit on the cold concrete of my driveway.

Cody’s jaw was tight when he returned to stand next to me. He put his hands on the railing and dropped his head. “So, yeah,” he said only loud enough for me to hear. “That’s what’s been going on, and his teacher has lost her patience.”

“He’ll have a new one.” But it was a small town.

“He’s already been labeled.” Cody said exactly what I was thinking. “He’s always been a more emotional kid than others, but I think getting out of Buffalo Gully would help him, and I have to be closer to the ranch than Helena.” He glanced from Ivy and Tex to where Grayson morosely traced a finger over the concrete. “You know how often I think Meg would rather her parents raise the kids than me all by myself?”

We weren’t a touchy-feely family, but I laid my hand on his arm. “It’s not Meg’s decision. You’re their dad. You practically raised us.”

Instead of easing his conscience, he nodded as if I had confirmed his decision. “You guys weren’t like them.”

“We were kind of assholes.”

His smile was quick and gone in a flash. He faced the house and leaned against the railing again. “Did you know Sutton was going to file for divorce?”

There was no censure in his question. Like he respected I would’ve kept Sutton’s confidence. I’d been on the phone late several nights with her. She served Wilder papers last Monday. “Yes. I wish they could’ve worked it out.”

“Well, Wilder didn’t make it easy.”

Surprised, I stared at him. I didn’t think he critiqued my brothers’ lives like he had mine.

He shrugged. “I tried to warn him, but he hides behind that damn badge. And he thought working both that job and at the ranch to get a few years of distributions would be fine, but...”

“But Sutton’s in her thirties and wants a family.”

“He’d give her that.”

“She’d be a married, single mom.”

“I’m not saying I don’t get it.” His mouth flattened. “Wilder’s not happy with you.”

“Why?” I’d been a sounding board for Sutton. She was in love with her husband, but she needed to feel loved in return. Wilder was my brother. I wouldn’t campaign for his heartbreak, but I’d support her finding her happiness.

“He’s angry at the world right now, and since you’re her friend, you’ll get to be the brunt of it. He’s like Barns in that sense.”

“You saw it too? With Daddy?”

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