Page 18 of Wildest Forever (Lovelock Bay #3)

He nods, eyes casting to the door.

“You promise you'll look after her?” he doesn't look at me and my breath catches in the back of my throat as his fingers tighten around my wrist.

“Always.”

“You're not going to run away when it gets tough are you?” his brows raise as he rolls his head around to face me.

Shaking my head, “No sir.”

“She is going to need you more than ever and trust me, you'll be the worst person to her, she'll push you away but just don't give up on her.”

I say nothing. Just listen.

These thoughts have already crossed my mind so I know exactly where he is going with this.

“I need to know that you're in this for the long run, that this is going to be your home now... with her, until death do you part...”

“I swear it,” I clasp his hand in mine and give it a gentle squeeze. “You have my word and my signature in ink, we made a deal.”

He nods, tears forming in his eyes.

“As my father used to say...” and my own voice cracks, “live by the ranch, die by the ranch.”

Driving down the dusty road, it's not long before we're pulling into Rivera Ranch. Morgan has been quiet, just staring out the window.

Anxiety pricks at the base of my neck as I slow the truck down and park it in front of the garages.

Her soft green eyes cast out the windshield before they're on mine.

“You okay?” I ask, desperate to place my hand on her thigh but I know I shouldn't.

I don't think this will ever be more than a business transaction, but the want to feel her skin beneath my fingers is only going to grow.

She nods before pulling on the handle of her door and jumping out.

I follow, walking around the back of the truck and grabbing the linen laundry bag out of the back seats.

“You do know you can wash that at home?” her brow raises as her eyes fall to the bag then back on mine.

“I know... but...” I shrug a shoulder up and cast my eyes over her.

Bell bottom jeans over her boots, lemon tee that sits cropped, teasing her tanned skin on her torso. Sunshine hair in loose waves, sunglasses pushed onto her head.

“Come,” I nod my head in the direction of the house as we walk past Tripp and Riggs' trucks.

I had no idea the whole family would be here.

She stalls as she gets to the front door and I do what feels natural.I slip my hand inside hers and push the door handle down with my elbow as I lead her through into the hallway.

“Ma!” I call out, dumping the laundry bag at my feet. Riggs walks down the hallway, lips twitching as his dark eyes scope over Morgan than shift to me.

“Hello, little brother,” he smirks as Aspen bounds down behind him and pushes past to wrap Morgan into a hug.

“He finally brought you home,” she smiles before letting Morgan out of her grasp, her eyes drifting up to Riggs as he wraps his hand around her body and pulls her close.

“Just to do laundry,” I mumble as Riggs nods back towards the living room and we follow down, Morgan's hand still in mine and I realize this is the first time that she has been inside the house.

Her fingers unlock from mine as we walk into the room, my mom sitting cuddling Lainey, Tripp sitting on the armchair, Dixie is nowhere to be seen.

“Hello sunshine boy,” she smiles at me before her eyes drift to Morgan.

“Hello darling,” her smile only widens and my heart swells inside my chest.“I would get up and give you both a kiss, but I am nap trapped,” she laughs softly as she looks down at Lainey who is laying on her chest, my mom's hand softly stroking the back of her head.

“It's okay ma,” I say as I walk into the room and Morgan follows to sit on the sofa, Aspen sitting next to her.“I'll go put the kettle on shall I?” I say to the room and my mom nods.

“Lunch will be done soon if you both wanted to stay.”

I glance at Morgan, but she doesn't look at me.

I turn and make my way to the kitchen and fill the kettle up before placing it on the stove.

The sound of heavy boots creeping behind me has me turning around.

Riggs stands, arms crossed against his chest.

“You doing okay?” he asks, eyes burning into mine.

“Yeah,” I nod, scrubbing my face, “it's been a bit of a morning; been told that Gerry only has a couple of weeks left...” I trail off and I see Riggs' mouth pop open before he closes it again.

“Shit,” he sighs, dropping his arms from his chest just as he rests his hand on the back of the barstool.

“Yeah,” my voice low, “thought I would bring her here for a little while, just to get her out the house.

I need her to know that she has a support network around her for when she needs it.

It's only ever been her and Gerry, and now.

.. well, it's just going to be me and her.

We don't even know each other and yet I have got to be there, ready to support her when she falls.” Tipping my head back, my eyes pin to the ceiling, “It's a lot of weight on my already heavy shoulders,” I admit, and before I can even let my head fall forward, Riggs' hand is on my shoulder giving me a reassuring squeeze.

“We're all here, we will all be here to support her when she is ready,” and just hearing those words makes me feel a little better.

“I feel like I am in well over my head,” I admit, letting my head roll forward as the soft sound of whistling begins to echo around the kitchen.

“You're not, you just need a chance to find your feet. A lot has gone on over the last year. Dad, the mines, the suits...” he trails off. “It's a lot, but it's even more now you have Morgan and Cottonwheel ranch to factor in as well.”

I nod silently, my fingers curling around the cupboard and reaching for some mugs then placing them on the countertop.

Riggs' hand slips off my shoulder when I hear the sound of soft footsteps approaching, looking over my shoulder, I see Morgan entering the kitchen.

She looks so innocent.

Eyes are glittery, bottom lip dragged behind her teeth.

“Shout if you need help, I don't want one,” Riggs mutters before he nods softly at Morgan then slips out of the kitchen.

Letting out a deep, slow, exhale, I turn back around and pop tea bags into four mugs.

One for mom, one for Morgan, one for Tripp and one for Aspen. I had no idea where Dixie was, but she would sure as hell tell me if she wanted one.

Morgan is beside me in three small steps, she spins, and the edge of the worktop presses against her back, her arms folded across her chest.

“You okay?”

But I know she isn't. Her mind is elsewhere.

Probably with her granddad.

She looks up at me, but I focus on pouring the hot water over the tea bags and stirring gently.

“Just feel a little out of sorts,” she admits, her eyes lifting from mine before they're on the archway of the kitchen.

“That's understandable,” I mutter softly before adding honey into mom's chamomile tea.

“I'm scared to go home,” she whispers and this time I do look at her, and fuck I hate seeing the unshed tears that threaten to fall.

I sigh, holding my hand out for her to take.

She is hesitant, her eyes dropping to my open palm and as soon as her skin is on mine, I pull her towards me, her chest to mine, head tipped back as her stunning greens bounce between mine.

“What’s scaring you?” I whisper, locking my fingers around her lower back, holding her against me.

“What if I go home and he has died,” her throat bobs as she swallows, and I try and stay positive.

You would never walk into that. I want to promise her, but that would be one promise I couldn't keep.There will always be someone with him, but it still doesn't stop it from happening.

“Hopefully we can both sit next to him, hold his hand until he has passed over peacefully,” I try and keep my voice steady, but this is all bringing back my own hurt. I wasn't ready to lose my dad. But he was taken away from me because he chose to be the hero.

I will never blame Dixie for his death. I do hold blame, but it's more on myself.I should have run in and saved her.

“That would be nice,” she stammers over her hushed words, a tear slipping down her cheek and my lips turn down as I watch it drip off her chin and into her tee.

“Please don't cry,” and I know it's easy for me to say that, but at the same time I hated that she was sad and there was nothing I could do about it.

“I really am trying,” she half laughs as another tear runs and this time, I catch it with my thumb and press it to my lips, kissing it away.

“Anything else on your mind?” I ask, but she shakes her head from side to side.“Okay,” I smile as she steps out of my grasp. Clearing my throat, I grab my mom’s and Tripp's tea, Morgan grabs Aspen’s and her own as she follows me back into the lounge.

“Here we go ma,” I say softly as I place the mug on the coaster then hand Tripp his who is now sitting on the arm of the chair, Dixie sitting next to him, her hands under her bump.

Morgan passes a cup silently to Aspen who thanks her, then she sits on the sofa and I sit next to her, our knees touching, my hands locked in my lap.

“How you feeling Dix?” I ask, my eyes drifting to her.

“Not too bad, getting a little uncomfortable now,” she sighs as her head rolls back and onto the back cushion of the sofa.

“Not much longer to go, Dreamcatcher,” Tripp says softly, scooping her hand into his as he brings it to his lips and places a kiss on the back of it.

She looks at him, smiling.

“I can't wait for a new baby niece or nephew,” Aspen beams as she takes a mouthful of her tea, her eyes flitting to Riggs momentarily.

“I think it's a boy,” I say a little too confident, nodding and my mom agrees.

“Nah, I think we've got another little princess on our hands,” Dixie looks down at her bump, her small hand running back and forth over it.

“I am just praying they come out healthy, whatever the gender,” Tripp smiles, bringing his own tea to his lips.

Lainey stirs, a soft cry passing her lips but that soon stops as mom pats her toosh softly, soothing her.

“Here, let me take her,” Dixie pulls herself from the chair and waddles across the floor to where Lainey is fidgeting on my mom's lap.