Dad:
Absolutely! We are so happy you changed your mind. What time is your flight coming in?
Me:
I land at twelve-thirty.
Dad:
I’m driving back some horses from South Dakota. I’ll have someone pick you up at the airport, and I’ll be back at the house about the same time as you arrive. Is that okay?
Me:
Sure, that’s fine.
Dad:
I’m sorry I’m not in town to get you myself but can’t wait to see you, Sunshine.
My heart lightened at the pet name he’d given me when I was little.
Me:
See you then.
Though none of this was my idea, I had to admit, despite myself, that this was probably for the best. At the same time, deep down, I still felt a little angry with him for leaving us—anger I knew I needed to get a hold of.
Once back in the apartment with my clean, gruesome clothing, my stomach growled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten all day. While I would normally order in, my impoverished state made no allowance for that.
Dread pumped through me as I made my way to the kitchen. Like a miracle from above, I found some disinfectant wipes and scoured every surface in the place before peeking into the cabinets.
Some bottled water, canned fruit, tuna, and seven cans of SpaghettiOs. Yes, seven. Are you waiting for more? Well, me too, but no such luck.
I was aware of the existence of SpaghettiOs in the universe, I guess, but I don’t recall ever holding a can in my hot little hands. Yet, there I was. After cracking that bad boy open and preparing for the equivalent of my last meal, do you know what happened? The SpaghettiOs were fucking awesome, baby! I’ve dined in some of the best restaurants around the world completely unaware that a wonderful masterpiece had been created that shockingly hit the spot.
After finishing every last “O” and packing the murder victim’s disgusting clothes in an old suitcase the color of poop with a wonky zipper, I was mentally and physically shot.
I put the sheets on the bed, said a prayer that I would live to see another day, and was relieved when I started to feel sleepy.
CHAPTER3
JAX
The cloudless sky above was the blue of the warm waters of St. Thomas as the birds sang and celebrated a beautiful fall morning.After the hellish few weeks I’d been through, I felt the weather should match my mood: dark, dreary, or maybe a downpour of cold rain making every soul in the county miserable.
Typically, there was nothing like an unseasonably warm week in Montana in October, with the thermometer hitting seventy-five degrees yesterday and the same expected all week. Of course, Daisy was giddy with the wedding coming up. It’s a good thing my mood couldn’t dictate the weather, becauseI wanted nothing but sunshine and happiness for the woman who raised me.
As I stomped towards the barn, I glanced over my shoulder at my cabin. The cabin my foster brother Austin helped me build two years ago right on the property I loved, never knowing it would be the downfall of all my plans for a wife and family.
Rounding the corner, I was nearly plowed down by Daisy, who was running at lightning speed, well, lightning speed considering the high heels on her feet while chasing the rooster. What in the hell was she doing in heels?
“Jax, grab Cluck Vader!” She was breathless as she bent over and rested her hands on her knees. “I’m too old for this shit.”
I cornered and captured Cluck Vader, who had a reputation for being a runner, before getting him back in the coop.
Daisy stood and slowed her pace as she made her way to me. “Thank you, baby.” She gave me a hug. “What would Jim and I do without you?”
She’d never have to find out. “All good.”
