Page 87 of Liam

“You don’t get it.”

“You’re damn right I don’t. I can’t believe that every rancher works like you do.”

“They do. A ranch is an enormous responsibility. I’ve told you it’s a never-ending job.”

“You’re going to kill yourself if you don’t slow down. Your father had a heart attack because he wouldn’t. Do you want that?”

He shook his head. “I’m fine.”

“Don’t you want children to hand the ranch down to?”

“Of course I do,” he growled.

“You can’t have them by yourself. Goodbye, Liam Flynn. I wish you a lot of success in your lonely life.” She spurred the horse and rode back to the barn.

****

Liam watched as she rode off, then disappeared over the knoll.

“Son of a bitch,” he swore.

Taking a deep breath, he returned to the fence. Anything to keep his mind off the fact that she was leaving Clifton and him behind.

Later, he entered his parents’ house to see his mother cooking dinner.

“Hi, Mom.” He hung his hat up, but turned to look at her when she didn’t answer him. “Mom?”

“I’m a little angry with you right now, Liam.”

“Why?”

She set the spoon she’d been using on the spoon rest and looked at him.

“You’re making a big mistake.”

Liam sighed. “Siobhan.”

“Yes, Siobhan. What is wrong with you? Even I can see you’re in love with her.”

“She’s leaving, anyway.”

“Leaving?”

“Yes.”

“You’re a fool, William Joseph Flynn, and I never took you for one.”

“Mom—”

“Go home, Liam. I don’t even want to look at you.”

He huffed, took his hat off the peg, slapped it on his head, and walked out the door, slamming it behind him.

As he entered the barn, he clenched his jaw and fisted his hands. He didn’t want her to go, but could he do as she asked? Was it too much to ask? One day a week?

“Hey, Liam.”

He turned to see Jerry walking toward him.

---