Right Move (Clean Slate Ranch #6) - A.M. Arthur Page 0,101
pinched the bridge of his nose. Mom had passed away from ovarian cancer when he was seventeen, and it had been a hard time for their family. He still missed her and hoped she would be proud of the man he’d become. When the land was quiet around him, he liked to think it whispered that she was.
“She always supported the rodeo and you boys being part of it,” Dad continued, “but we did have arguments about it. When she first got sick, I promised her and God that I’d retire early enough that she and I could travel, just the two of us. See the places around the world we never got to see, because I was always too busy with the rodeo.”
“And then she died.”
Dad cleared his throat hard. “Yeah. But the last time she was awake, I told her I’d keep my promise. I told her I would retire when I turned sixty and see the places we talked about.”
“You’re retiring?” He turned sixty next September. Levi was glad to be sitting because his head spun a bit with shock. He never thought his dad would retire, not even after he dislocated his shoulder two years ago. “But what about Lucky’s? You’re the heart of the rodeo.”
“I want Lucky’s to go on, and Willard has offered to buy me out on more than one occasion. Take over when I’m ready to retire.”
Levi nodded even though Dad couldn’t see him. Willard was one of the most senior guys in the rodeo, and he’d been with them since Levi was a child. “I think he’s a good choice. And you could use the money to travel.”
“Yup, I could. But I also invested your mom’s life insurance as a future retirement plan, knowing I couldn’t go on with Lucky’s forever, so I’m covered. It’s not about the money, it’s about family. My father started it, and I’d hate to be the last Peletier to own it. Willard taking over and eventually buying me out is my second choice.” Levi saw the request sailing toward him before Dad lobbed it his way. “I want you to take over running it when I retire, Levi. It was always supposed to be your legacy.”
A reflexive “I don’t want it” died before it passed his lips. Levi had walked away from Lucky’s after Xander died, allowing his grief to carry him far away from his family and into a long year of terrible decisions. Even after he got sober, Levi had never entertained the idea of going back to Lucky’s—at least, not seriously. His wanderlust still existed, and the idea of traveling again...of performing in front of audiences of thousands...
“I have a job here that I love, Dad,” Levi said. “I can’t just leave before the season is over. I can’t do that to Robin and Mack.”
“It wouldn’t happen the day of my birthday, son.” Dad’s tone had changed into something almost hopeful. “I’d stay with Lucky’s until the end of our season, too. This will be my farewell tour, one last visit to places I’ve been traveling to my entire life. Saying goodbye.”
Levi blinked several times, affected by the new grief in his father’s voice as he spoke about another hard goodbye. Dad had already lost his own parents, his wife, and one son. Now he was losing his rodeo—if he sold out to Willard. If Levi took over, it would stay in the family longer.
He couldn’t bring himself to break his dad’s heart by saying no to taking over Lucky’s, but he also couldn’t commit to it. Not without a lot of meditating, soul searching...and more time with George. What would happen to his relationship with George if Levi ended up traveling ten months out of the year?
“Are you sure this is what you want to do, Dad?”
“It is. If my accident didn’t tell me I should step back, then my promise to your mother has convinced me. Besides, you’re safe and happy and dating again, and Robin is safe and happy and in love. I can leave the country knowing my boys are well.”
I will not cry. I will not cry.
“You know how much I love you, even when we were estranged,” Levi said, voice too rough for his liking. “And you know how much I treasure my time at Lucky’s. I am honored that you want me to run it but I can’t give you an answer today.”
“I understand, and I did not expect a yes or no today. You’ve