“Not only did your dad help with this ranch, but I was a rebellious little shit, and he whipped me into shape as well.”
“I’m sorry that happened to you.”
“It was a long time ago.” He looked away.
I wanted to ask the question because he might know the answer. “Why do you think he came here? I mean back then.” I wanted my voice to be strong, but it wasn’t.
He kicked the ground and looked down before answering. “I think he was lost. He couldn’t find a place where he thought he fit in.”
“But why here?” I felt my heart skip a beat. “Why so far away?”
He looked over. “From you and Zoey?”
I nodded.
“He told me once that you can’t be good for anyone or yourself until you take a step back and know who you are.”
It made sense, but still sucked for us.
“About a year into their relationship, Daisy was diagnosed with breast cancer, and it kicked her ass. At that time, cattle prices were down, and things weren’t good around here. Jim came in and started the horse business to try to keep it going. If it wasn’t for your dad, I don’t know what would have happened.”
“Sounds like a Hallmark movie.” Shit. Did I say that out loud?
I could tell from his glare that I had indeed said it aloud.
“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.” It was the truth, but the glimmer in his eye made me nervous. He struck me as a guy with a short fuse, and it was time for me to go. “I’d better get back to the house.”
I turned on my tap heel and started to walk away.
“He’s a good man, Madison.” His voice was firm. Not like he was sharing information with me but like a definitive statement. A fact. “He’s like the father I never had.”
His words punched me and took my breath away.
“Yes, Jax, he seems like a great man. But he’s a man I’m just getting to know.”
He nodded. “You have a chance to build a relationship with your dad. People deserve a second chance. I know I’ve made a shit-ton of mistakes and thank my lucky stars people gave me another shot.”
I nodded, knowing he was right. Tears were building, but I would not let him see me cry. I took a deep breath to gain control of my emotions.
“Me, too.” I nodded. “I’m going to head back to the house. See you later.”
I wanted to sprint to the house, but my tap shoes wouldn’t allow it, so power-walking it was. Why was I so freaking emotional?
I flew into the house and nearly ran over my father. “What’s the rush, Sunshine?”
My heart melted at my childhood nickname. “Nothing. I took a walk and lost track of time.”
He laughed. “This isn’t New York or Miami; you can’t be late for anything around here.”
“That’s kind of cool.”
He looked down at my feet with a tilt of his head.
“Don’t ask.”
“I won’t.” He chuckled, grabbing my hand and he pulled me to the couch, where we plopped down side by side. There was a silver box on the coffee table with my name engraved on it.
“I want you to have this.”
