moment. “I’d lose my job, so that’s not an option.” He stepped closer. “Do you mind if we spent the night? I can drive you back right after we drop them off.”
“Oh.” I glanced around at the huge property, wondering if I was even welcome. I knew I was now an inconvenience. His shoulders were tense with discomfort. “Of course. Let me know if I can do anything to help.”
“Thanks.” He shrugged and motioned for me to follow him inside.
Chapter Seven
John
I felt bad for Sloane. I could tell she felt our discomfort with the situation, and that wasn’t on her, that was on us. My life wasn’t easy anymore. A lot rode on my shoulders, and the guilt ran bone deep.
Despite her protest of not wanting anything to eat, she did join us at the table while Dad and I ate. She helped us through the uncomfortable silence that usually settled on the room as we ate by asking questions about the farm.
“Mostly cattle, organic wheat, and some of the best eggs Redstone has ever seen.” My pops spoke proudly, and my mother eyed me as we both thought the same thing. He was finally chatting.
“Sounds like a lot of work,” Sloane sipped her water, “but a lot of reward.”
“It is.” Pops nodded in agreement. “A dream does not become reality through magic. It takes sweat, determination, and—”
“Hard work,” she finished for him, and he eyed her curiously. “Colin Powell,” she added.
“That’s right.” He glanced in my direction like he was trying to figure her out. “Do you get out of the courtroom much, Sloane?”
“Only when I’ve made someone mad.” She chuckled darkly, but I could tell something was bothering her.
“Do you horseback ride?”
“When I was a child, I did take lessons, yes.”
“Maybe sometime you and John could take a ride and see the property.”
“You should take her to the lake.” Ellie appeared at the doorway, and the mood shifted back to reality. My hand went out to ease Tripper, who wanted to greet her but knew better. She just couldn’t retain who he was. “We were there last week, and we found these pretty dark pebbles that shine when they’re wet.”
I glanced at Mom for help. “Oh, Ellie, are you hungry? You said you didn’t want any supper.” She began to stand when Sloane spoke up.
“How many did you find?”
My sister held out her hand and thought. “Six, I think.”
“Six? Wow, maybe you could show me sometime?”
Ellie’s face broke into a smile that made my stomach twist with happiness, but it was quickly replaced with a jolt of pain. She didn’t have the rocks anymore because that was almost fifteen years ago.
Mom got up and walked Ellie to the living room, and Sloane went back to the conversation like my thirty-two-year-old twin sister didn’t just come into the room after the world’s worst meltdown.
“Oliver, you’ll have to share your secret about your creamer. I’ve never tasted coffee so creamy before.”
And just like that, my father slipped back into talking, and when my mom returned, her face showing her usual strain, she was pleased to join in the conversation. It had been years since I’d brought anyone over. We weren’t like the Irons, Keith, or Logan families. We had “hidden” stress that I didn’t want to project on anyone else.
Later that night when Mom went to bed and Sloane and Pops were hanging out in the living room, I escaped outside, just needing a minute to clear my head. I found myself gravitating to the barn. I climbed the steps, flipping on the twinkle lights and special heat lamp that was safe to have near the hay, and I scooped up Doug, my favorite rooster. We both sat on the edge, and I let my legs dangle over the side. Using my phone, I played Brothers Osborne over the speakers in each corner of the room.
“How are the ladies?” I rubbed Doug’s head, and he prattled some chicken noise. “That so? Maybe you should tell her how you feel?” He pecked my hand. “Calling the kettle black, hey?” I joked at my own expense. “It’s complicated.” I defended myself and leaned my head back to rest on the frame. “There’s so many complications in my life that I’m not even sure where to begin.” Doug clucked a few times before he settled on my lap and nestled into his feathers. It was freezing tonight, and the dark clouds tried to hide the moon. Weather was coming.
“Man, that’s a long way