Page 8 of Never Left You
My eyes widened at the thought of June’s Pizza being brought out to the ranch. I had paper plates, I had napkins…no dishes required. “New deal. I have homework, you order June’s for everyone.”
Kyla laughed, “I’ll pass the message onto Rhett.”
“Already on it.” I heard my brother holler from inside. “Six pizzas would be enough, right?”
I turned and looked at the slightly cracked window and saw my brother hunched over the kitchen island, his hat sitting on the counter as he thumbed through his phone. I turned back to Kyla and laughed, lifting my chin in the air at the simple thought of my brother now ordering pizza for the entire ranch. The blush on her cheeks deepened.
“I love him.” She smiled.
“He’s a good one.” I admitted. “Make sure you get me—” I began to yell towards the house again.
“I got a veggie deep dish, don’t worry.” Rhett interrupted, joining us on the deck moments later. He bent and kissed Kyla on the crown of her head. “Forty minutes and you owe me half of the bill.” He pointed at me, his eyes narrowed. “Meet you at the house?”
“No, I’m coming, I’m coming.” I set my tea down on the small table next to the chair and wiggled my way out of the seat. Rhett shoved his hands in his coat pockets and watched as I hoisted the blanket up over my shoulders and bundled myselfeven more. Kyla snorted when I turned to get my tea, not quite sure how to accomplish that, completely bundled in the blanket.
“Here,” Rhett sighed. “Allow me. You may stay a burrito.”
I gave my brother a smirk. “Always the gentleman. You comin’ Kyla?”
“Oh, I’ll drive there.”
“It’s less than a mile,” Rhett argued, twisting his torso, reaching a hand out to his wife. Kyla looked at it and shook her head.
“It’s cold, and I’d rather eat hot pizza, so I’ll drive us back when it gets here. You two walk in the snow. I’ll be there soon.” She gave Rhett a wink and then turned to go back into their home.
I offered Rhett a cheeky grin as we both marched off towards the main house. I had no choice but to follow my brother. He had my tea after all, so I had to keep up.
The man sitting in front of me was determined. Strong. Confident. Caring. His broad shoulders took up most of the space of the chair and his dark facial hair still refused to turn gray like the rest of his hair had. This man knew how to run a ranch. He knew how to lead the family and make sure every single need was met.
Leonard Hartwell.
My father.
And the look he was giving me and my brothers was downright terrifying.
My father wasn’t a scary man. Maybe when I was fourteen and chasing after a certain somebody—but that was a different story.
Lachlan leaned against the windowsill, his ankles crossed and his arms folded over his chest. My dad looked from Lachlan to the three of us sitting in the chairs across from his desk. Rhett relaxed in his chair; Wyatt slouched and gave a yawn. I simply crossed my legs and tried to look ready for anything. These meetings with my dad weren’t uncommon, but today the feeling in the room was completely different.
He broke the silence. “I’m retiring.”
Right to the point, huh dad?
“We knew that,” Wyatt said coolly.
Narrowing my eyes, I gave my brother a side glare.
“What?” He shrugged. “We did. He’s been talking about it for years.”
“I’m leaving the ranch. You’re mother and I.”
Oh, ok…that was a new development.
“Leaving?” Rhett parroted.
Looking over at my cousin, who currently owned half of Hartwell Hills Ranch. He gave me a slight nod.
“We're going to travel. We’ve spent the majority of our life here, and yes it’s home and always will be, but we want to see the world.” My dad leaned back in his seat.
