Page 31 of Severed Heart (The Ravenhood Legacy #2)

“More than you could ever imagine,” I tell him honestly.

“I think I’m getting a pretty good idea, but I’ll show you what I’m to inherit on our next fishing trip. I want to bait the hooks while the fish are biting.”

I nod as Tyler takes a turn on a long gravel road, slowing the sedan as we pass some stacked crates.

I inaudibly sound out the name Jennings & Sons, which is printed on the side of each.

My eyes feast on it all as questions start to pour from me.

He patiently answers each of my inquiries, a constant smile playing on his lips due to my enthusiasm until he parks next to a large, white, two-story farmhouse.

A house that is situated perfectly amongst the land for the best imaginable view.

Stepping out of my car, mixed scents start to fill my nose.

Feeling transported, I inhale deeply as I turn to him.

“I cannot imagine waking up to such a view! I would never stop smiling! Though I do not think I would stay indoors if I lived here ... What ?” I ask, of his return expression. “What is this look?”

He shakes his head, a clear something in his eyes even as he answers, “Nothing.”

“Where will we fish here?” I ask, scouring the florescent green grounds, the rolling hills, and endless rows of apple trees, seeing no pond.

“We’re not. This is my granddad’s house. We’re just here to switch modes of transportation.” He points to a utility vehicle parked just a few feet away, and my smile only grows.

“So much history here,” I gawk, grabbing the poles from the back seat as he goes to gather the cooler. “You must be so very proud!”

“Of the history part and of most of my family, yeah, I am. All military, most serving before quietly retiring here.”

I still, knowing that he can’t possibly know that his privilege is my life’s dream. Instead of the bitterness I thought I would feel at this, I find myself happy for him.

“That is your plan?” I ask. “To soldier and one day live on this land?”

“Absolutely, and not one I have any intention of messing with. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?”

“Oui”—I wrinkle my nose—“no ... fix what?”

He again chuckles at my expense, but it doesn’t irritate me like it does when Dom does the same. Tyler’s intent is never meant to humiliate me.

“It’s an expression that means if it works for someone, there’s no reason to change it.”

“Ah,” I say as we continue to unload the back of my car. “Ain’t,” I laugh, “what a stupid word.”

“It’s not really a proper word,” he relays. “More a Southern thing.”

“Yes, I know what you mean.”

The sun beams down on him as he lifts the cooler and leads me toward the vehicle as I haul the poles and tackle box behind him.

“Did you know land has been a main reason for many wars?”

His dimple appears. “And here I thought I had the day off.”

“It’s just conversation. Your America has participated in over one hundred sixty wars, only just over two hundred years old.”

“So, what you’re saying is we’re nosy bastards,” he declares.

“Oui, but you’ve also been very powerful allies.”

“It’s your America, too, you know,” he points out.

“I’m French. I will die a French immigrant because I don’t align wholly with all American values, but I’m happy to borrow your land. Your reason to fight.” I trail off and feel his stare on my profile. “This is a very good reason to fight, Tyler. To protect this land, I would fight .”

“Agreed, they don’t call it God’s country for no reason.”

I look over to him. “That’s what it is called?”

“Yeah,” he whispers, just as taken briefly by our view.

“It’s the perfect name for this land. There is so much peace here.”

A mischievous glint flashes in his eyes. “Peaceful, huh?”

“Very peaceful.” I narrow my eyes. “Why?”

“Just hold that thought.”

* * *

“Mon Dieu!” I roar, a hysterical laugh leaving me because of Tyler’s erratic driving. “Imbecile! You’re going to kill us!” I shout over the engine as he speeds down a very steep slope, never letting off the gas.

“You sound really terrified,” he muses sarcastically as the vehicle takes every bit of his abuse.

My eyes bulge as I notice a deep gap between some hills feet ahead and screech his name in warning.

When Tyler does not deter, I brace myself for impact, shrieking with fear as he laughs at my reaction.

Peeking through my fingers, I’m shocked as he steers right for a fallen tree limb before turning back to see we glided right over it.

“Wow, fuck!” I exclaim, thoroughly impressed with the vehicle’s capabilities.

“Right?” Tyler chuckles.

“It performs very, very well.”

“I know.”

I glance over to where he steers, the breeze in the open cabin lifting his sunlit brown hair. “You’re still an imbecile!”

My poke does not faze him, his smile telling. “I consider it a term of endearment coming from you.” He eyes me. “Don’t forget I heard you unleash on the mailman last week.”

I frown. “Because he knocked over my plant with his carelessness. Connard .” Jerk.

“And that’s why I’m sure he’s reconsidering his career choice,” he jokes as we glide effortlessly over another gaping hole. I whip my head back in disbelief. “It’s all-terrain,” he calls over the whirring between us. “That means—”

“I know what that means,” I scold in irritation while still smiling. “What is this vehicle called?”

“A Polaris Ranger.”

“If ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” I shout.

“Not exactly how it’s used, but you’ll get there.

” He shoots me a confident wink, and I burst into more laughter as he rounds a hillside, the two of us riding vertically while holding onto the frame of the Ranger.

Nervous, excited laughter continues to pour out of me with the knowledge that if my door weren’t firmly shut, I’d be rolling down the side of a hilltop.

My enthusiasm only grows when the pond comes into view.

Tall mixed grasses surround it, encompassing all sides of the water.

Moss covers part of the surface next to the outstretched dock, which stops halfway into the length of the pond.

The only sign of life is small ringlets of tiny waves breaking over the surface of the otherwise calm water.

A peace washes over me as we unpack the car and sit next to one another on the dock, feet dangling.

We spend a few quiet minutes baiting and casting our lines before he speaks up.

“What were you like in school?”

His question catches me off guard, but I answer honestly. “Bored”—I shrug—“and mostly annoyed.”

“Sounds about right,” he chuckles.

“I started in school very late because of my father and was behind in their curriculum, and in learning English. This caused me many conflicts with the girls. I did not like them because they were boring, and they did not like me because I kissed all the boys,” I tell him.

“I was a salope—” I search for the English word. “... tramp.”

Tossing his head back, he howls with laughter at my admission.

“A kissing tramp,” I correct. “I did not fuck the boys.” His eyes widen as he chokes slightly on his receding laugh, and I shrug. “It’s the truth.”

“Well, thanks for the honesty,” he says with a humorous shake of his head.

“What?” I counter. “I never understand why so many people polite dance around the truth so much. It annoys me.”

“I’m learning that. It’s just that your delivery is just a bit . . .” He trails off.

“You won’t offend me, but I know what you’re not wanting to say. That I talk like a bitch .”

His eyes bulge. “Not a bitch, just bold with your word choice, more like ... brash ,” he says.

“Brash. I like that. I am brash .”

“Unapologetically,” he confirms before biting his lip and nailing me with his soul-filled stare, “but you should know that’s why you’re often misunderstood.”

“I don’t care if they understand,” I declare defiantly.

“That’s admirable,” he says, and I sense his curious stare but glance over to see his eyes on his bobber.

“Not admirable. My brash honesty has cost me much, but I still see no point of being so overly careful around the truth.”

“Trust me, I’m annoyed myself. Both my parents have been tap dancing like fucking professionals around the truth for years now.”

“You can talk to me about it, Tyler. I, too, struggle very much with forgiving my own papa for unforgivable sins he committed. I won’t be brash to you about this.”

“Hey.” He commands my attention. “Don’t ever tap dance around the truth with me, Delphine. I would fucking hate it.”

I nod.

“So, these unforgivable sins he committed, you mean you and Celine’s dad?”

When I shake my head, Tyler’s eyes widen in shock.

“Celine was not my true sister. Her father was my father Matis’s nephew .”

“So, that means Dom and T aren’t really your nephews, but your cousins ?”

I nod.

“Holy shit . . .” His mouth gapes as he stares at me in shock. “Do they know?”

“I told Dom that day in the snow.” He nods. “And I told Ezekiel some of my past before he left for school in France, but this is a secret I share with you, only you . A new best friend secret.”

“I won’t tell a soul, Delphine. I promise.”

“Merci.” I inhale deeply as I scour the grounds.

“Relation doesn’t matter anyway, Tyler. Celine became a sister to me in my heart.

” I palm my chest. “She accepted me as I am. The filthy, brash orphan dumped on her parent’s doorstep.

She loved me as I was, and in return, I loved her the same, so we had the sister relationship she wanted us to have.

I care for my nephews the same way, and relation will never matter. ”

“I get it ... but you just said orphan?” I tense at this. “Can I ask what happened with Matis and to your mother?”

I bite my lip, and he nudges me. “Hey, some other time, then. We’re here to fish today and get out of our heads, so let’s do that, deal?”

“Deal,” I say, turning my face up to the sun. “Deal, private.”