“How would I know?” Tripp asked looking away again.
“Because his profile says he’s from Sugarville Grove,” Cash said patiently. “And last I checked, this place didn’t exactly get big enough that everyone doesn’t still know each other’s business.”
“Apparently, I don’t even know my own brother’s business,” Tripp said.
That stung. But Tripp wasn’t wrong.
“That’s fair,” Cash said, sighing. “And believe me, I’m not proud about this. I want to do right by this boy now that I know about him.”
Tripp met his eyes again, his hard gaze softening, and Cash realized that was what had been troubling him. He was worried that Cash had knowingly run out on his responsibilities. Cash had been gone a long time, but it still hurt a lot to think that his brother hadn’t started off giving him the benefit of the doubt.
“I, uh, I don’t make a habit of acting wild like I did with his mother,” Cash assured him. “Not anymore, not for a long time. And if I’d known about the boy, I would have done the right thing from the beginning.”
“I can respect that,” Tripp said, nodding. “And I get what you’re trying to do here. But maybe it’s better to just leave him alone. He’s been through enough.”
Panic shot through Cash’s veins and he felt a flash of what it must be like to be a parent as he imagined all kinds of trials and hardships for his possible son.
“What do you mean?” he demanded. “What’s he been through?”
“His mother got sick last year,” Tripp said. “They were living in Burlington. But her cousin took custody of the boy, and he came back here to live with her after his mom passed.”
“He’s an orphan,” Cash breathed, wishing he could do anything to ease the boy’s pain.
What have I done? I’m a monster.
“He’s got his aunt,” Tripp said firmly. “From what everyone says, she adores him. But yeah, hismom passed.”
“Is he at the high school?” Cash asked, grabbing for his phone to call for another cab.
“Hey,” Tripp said, putting a hand on Cash’s arm. “Hang on, now. Stop and think for a dang minute. You can’t just show up at the kid’s school. Imagine how you would have felt in his shoes. And especially with you being…you.It’s too much.”
“Shoot,” Cash sighed. “Right.”
“Why don’t you wait until the library opens up at nine?” Tripp suggested. “His aunt is the children’s librarian. She’s his guardian, so she’s the right person to help you figure this out.”
Cash thought his blood might just boil out of his veins if he had to wait another minute. But he had to admit that his brother was right.
And he got a funny little feeling just thinking about the library. Back when he was in school, there used to be an old treehouse out back. He would hide out in it with his grandpa’s guitar sometimes when he had a bad day. He’d even written a song or two up there.
“Fine,” he said, nodding. “I can do that.”
“Good,” Tripp told him. “It’s the right thing to do. And besides, Mom and Dad will flip out if they don’t get to feed you a big country breakfast after you just flew all night.”
“Tripp,” Cash said, wishing he could find the words to say what he wanted to say. “I’m sorry I’ve been gone so long. I know this doesn’t seem like the best reason to be back, either…”
“Are you kidding me?” Tripp put in. “If you’re here togive me another nephew, it’s the best reason ever. And the rest of the family will agree, believe me.”
“When did you get so wise, little brother?” Cash asked, giving the big man a gentle shove.
“About the same time you got so weak,” Tripp teased him as he started jogging along the path. “I hope you can still haul wood with those guitar hands, pretty boy.”
Against all odds, Cash heard his own laughter ring out across the snowy field, and he took off beside his brother for the wood pile.
There’s no better news for a kid than that he could be a part of this family,he told himself.He’ll come around to the idea.
Won’t he?
5
