Austin and I worked our asses off in high school and got football scholarships to Montana State, partially because we loved sports and partially because we knew Daisy would struggle with the tuition. We always wanted to learn enough to help her with the ranch.
I, through some miracle from above, earned a business degree with a minor in agriculture, but my main course of study was partying. From missing the first day of classes as a freshman—because I woke up passed out on the football field—to selling my books back early to host one hell of a party, it was a shock to all when I walked the stage for my diploma.
“Well—"
“She gave me a fucking ultimatum and then disappeared! Abby’s known for the year we’ve been together that this place is me. The thought of working between four walls is the equivalent of sticking a fork in my eye.”
How could she think I’d change? Maybe it was all the time I spent trapped in my mom’s shitty apartment before she overdosed or all the time I’ve spent outdoors, working with my hands since I’d been with Daisy, but I needed to see the horizon to be balanced.
“Okay, I get it. But are you sure you want to let her go without even trying a long-distance thing?”
“It’s over. End of story.”
“Wow, that’s pretty conclusive. It may sting, but deep down, maybe you know she just wasn’t the one.”
I headed to his truck. “I guess. I just want to settle down and eventually take in a foster kid. It’s something I had no clue I’d want to do a few years ago, but that’s where I am now.”
Austin groaned as he kicked the dirt behind me. “Buddy, your words are burning my damn ears! You’re my wingman, my ride-or-die.A family? I can’t believe you’re doing this to me.”
“Come on, you know where we both came from. I want to change someone’s life like Daisy did for us. I’m pretty sure if it wasn’t for her, I’d be in prison.” I dropped the toolbox in his truck bed and pushed his chest. “And I sure as hell know you’d be there.”
He shoved me back. We’ve always thrived on stupid, physical challenges.
A loud laugh escaped him. “I can’t help that I’m more of a badass than you!”
“I’m the badass. You’re a pussy!”
In a split second, he swept my legs before tackling me. I swiftly pinned him to the dusty ground as Daisy poked her head out the door in the distance. “You boys stop that! Leave each other alone!”
It was a thirteen-year-old flashback as we stood up, and I punched him in the stomach before he quickly got me in a headlock, yelling out to Daisy. “Yes, Mom. We’re just messing around!” He tightened his grip. “Jax is totally having fun right now.”
* * *
I ran through the car wash and vacuumed my truck before picking up the foster kid. Apparently, I do care what a tyke thinks of me.
I entered through the large doors of the Social Services building like I had four times over the past few months. I’d gotten my foster care license earlier in the year and had helped with a few kids who were in between foster homes. Apparently, the “system” looks for couples versus a single person when making a permanent placement. I was sure after Abby and I got married, we’d be a shoo-in, but that was shot to hell now.
I clearly remembered the small office on the second floor from my first time there when I was ten-years-old. The chairs had been replaced over the years, but the old brown reception desk was the same one. I ran my finger over the dark wood as I had the first time I visited and every time since.
Agnus looked up with a grin. Every time I’d laid eyes on her, she had on a blouse buttoned up to her chin, and while she was a sweet old lady, I’d seen her rip-roaring drunk in Daisy’s living room a month ago. Turns out she had a mouth like a mother-trucker and can get a little handsy to boot.
“Hello, Jax. You can go on back. Katie is ready for you.”
“Thanks, Agnus.” I walked past her, a bit of queasiness in my gut as she took a long look at my ass and giggled quietly.WTF, Agnus? I’ve known you since I was ten!
I flew into Katie Loradam’s office while knocking over a chair and tripping my way into the room to get my backside out of Agnus’s view. Katie is a petite woman with big brown eyes who has the gift of making everyone around her feel calm. My eyes fell on the brown-haired boy in a chair next to her, who burst into laughter when the chair hit the wall.
“That’s one way to break the ice.” They both stood up. “Jax, this is Grant. He just had a birthday and is now the ripe old age of seven.”
I leaned down and extended my hand. “Good to meet you, Grant.”
He shook my hand. “You too, Mr. Jax.”
“I was telling Grant that you live on a ranch with horses.”
“It’s true.”
A shy grin made its way across his face. “I’ve never been to a ranch.”
