Page 5 of Reins

It was the day after the accident. When I was lying in a hospital bed, dealing with the loss of Ava and the crushing guilt over causing him to lose his wife, he called to tell me he never wanted to see me again.

To be honest, I don’t know if I can look him in the eye. I’ve held that bitter self loathing in my chest for over a decade. It’s a part of me, just like the scars I carry.

“One day, I want all of my babies back under one roof.” Her soft sigh betrays the ache she must be feeling.

“Maybe. But not anytime soon. I’m glad you get to visit. How long are you going to be in Montana?” Should I tell her I’m here too and only a few miles away?

Not yet.

The only thing I have going for me on this investigation is that no one else besides Pete knows I’m here. I can use that to my advantage.

“We’re going to stay for a while. At least through the holidays. With all of the new babies—” Her teeth snap with an audible click. “Son, how much can I talk?”

Now it’s my turn to sigh. “Tell me everything. I’m done sticking my head in the sand.” In a strange way, it may even help with finding the motive behind everything being aimed at the ranch.

Or that’s my way of coping with not being a part of the family.

Somedays, I miss them. Hell, most days.

As Mom starts to fill in the gaps, telling me all about Mason’s new wife and the family he’s building, it makes me wish even more I was a part of it.

Nephews and nieces I’ve never met?

“Even Ford found love, after everything that happened with him,” she trails on.

“Wait, what happened to him?” I know he’s always been Mason’s right hand, even when we were teenagers.

“Oh, honey. That’s a really long story and I don’t know all of the details.” There’s a tremor behind her words.

My mom is one of the strongest women I know. For it to rattle her, it had to be bad.

I jot a note to do some research on his history. What if something he got tied up in followed him to my brother’s place?

Ford has always been rough around the edges. Mason had to pick him up from the bar when they were younger more times than I can count. I’m pretty sure my brother bailed him out more than once as well.

The two dead bodies in the thick-ass file in front of me can attest that he won’t go down easy. But I did read enough of the report to agree with what he did. I’d have probably done the same in his shoes.

Fuck, this is going to take months to go through all of the evidence.

My screen lights up with Pete’s name.

“Mom, I’m sorry, I have to go. It’s work calling.” I might be wrong. He could be asking if I want to come down for a beer.

Either way, I’m just about topped out with how much McCullough family past I can absorb tonight.

“Love you. Can I call you again at Thanksgiving?” The hopeful lilt at the end makes it impossible to say ‘no’.

“Of course, Ma. I’ll talk to you then.” When I hang up I take a moment to pull in a remorseful inhale.

Then swipe to accept on the exhale.

“Cade? Seems luck is on our side,” Pete chuckles. “The sheriff just called me. Apparently Max Simmons tried to kidnap Elena Evans right out from under Wade’s nose.”

“Well, that was brilliant,” I quip dryly. “Is he in custody?”

“Yep. Your nephew tackled him down behind Hilltop bar.” As he laughs, my thoughts wander to the gangly ten year old I remember.

“Sawyer?” Shit. It’s hard to picture him as an adult.