[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

 Yeah.
Nash finally understood why Jackson spent the majority of his time in Colorado, but
where did that leave Sidney?  You re not planning to take Sidney back to Colorado, are
you?
Jackson readjusted his tall, lanky frame in the chair.  Sheila doesn t know about
Sidney.
 Excuse me? How could you not ve told her you have a son?
SPRING Carol Lynne
78
 She s a very religious woman. I m afraid she wouldn t understand him, and Sidney
would just wind up getting hurt.
Nash flattened his palms on the table and leant forward.  So how could you possibly
marry a woman who wouldn t approve of your own son?
 Because I love her, Jackson replied, his voice cool.
More than he loved Sidney, obviously. Something suddenly dawned on Nash.  Wait a
minute. You said Sheila s worked for you for five years?
 Yeah.
 You led me to believe you d only owned the feedlot for a couple of years. Not only
that, but how the hell could the woman work for you for that long and not know you had a
son? What, were you ashamed of Sidney when he was only sixteen?
Jackson shook his head.  First of all, I didn t tell you about the feedlot because it s none
of your business. And secondly, Sheila s a decent, God-fearing woman. You and I ve known
since he was a boy that Sidney wasn t right in the head.
 Wasn t right? So you re telling me you think being queer is a mental condition?
Jackson shrugged, giving Nash an answer without words.
Nash began to shake with unleashed fury.  I m queer, too. You think I m crazy?
Jackson s eyes narrowed.  That the reason you ve been sniffing around Sidney all these
years?
Nash couldn t control himself any longer. He reached across the table and grabbed the
front of Jackson s shirt.  Listen here, you son-of-a-bitch , what I did for Sidney was give him
a role model. Someone he could depend on, since you were never around. So don t you dare
sit there and accuse me of impropriety when it sounds like I m the only person alive who
loves him.
Jackson glanced down at the front of his shirt.  If I could have fired your ass, I
would ve done so ten years ago, now I suggest you let me loose before I come over the table
and show you how a real man fights.
Nash had at least forty pounds of solid muscle on Jackson, so the threat meant
absolutely nothing. Still&  What did you mean by that? Why can t you fire me?
Jackson s lips thinned and turned white. It was obvious the man hadn t meant to say
what he did.
 You d better start talking, Nash growled, releasing Jackson s shirt.
SPRING Carol Lynne
79
 Because despite all the hard work I ve put into the fucking place, I m only a trustee of
the Running E. I earn a good salary as set forth in Elizabeth s will, but I don t own it. I don t
know what kind of spell you cast over my wife when she was sick, but she made a provision
that you were to be given use of her father s house and a job for as long as you wanted it.
 Maybe your wife realised what a lousy father you are and wanted someone around
Sidney who was capable of love and compassion, he fired back. There were so many things
wrong with Jackson s explanation, Nash wasn t sure where to begin.  So, Sidney owns the
Running E?
 Yes, but we both know he doesn t care about the ranch.
 He s twenty-one. Don t you think he has a legal right to know the truth?
 Sure, but are you really ready to lose your job? Because we both know how much he
hates Bridgewater. He ll sell as soon as he finds out the truth.
Nash shook his head.  Regardless, it s not your decision to make. With his mind made
up, Nash stood.  I ll tell you what. I ll get Sidney back to the ranch so he can heal. Why don t
you clear out of the house and move on up to Colorado to be with your new wife. We don t
need you.
 Who the hell do you think you are? You can t order me out of my house, Jackson
argued.
Nash noticed they were beginning to draw stares from the others in the area.  Maybe
not, but Sidney can. Should I go up and tell him all your dirty little secrets? It was the last
thing Nash wanted to do. Sure, Sidney deserved the truth about the ranch, but not about his
father s deceit. Knowing how ashamed Jackson was of his son would hurt Sidney more than
Jackson was worth.
 Fine, but let me handle this my way, and keep your grubby hands off my son until I
clear out.
 You have four days. Sidney should be released in two, that ll give you two more to
gather your shit.
SPRING Carol Lynne
80
Chapter Seven
Sidney was surprised when Nash pulled up outside his house instead of the ranch
house.  Aren t you taking me home? He d had the stitches in his face removed before
leaving the hospital, but he still had to wait a few more days for the ones on his head and
body to come out.
 Maybe later in the week once I know Jackson s gone. For now you ll have to settle for
my humble abode. Nash got out of the truck.
Sidney waited until his door was opened before reaching to unfasten his seatbelt. It
took him a moment to realise he wasn t wearing one. They d tried buckling him in before
leaving the airport in Wichita, but the old seatbelt rode too tight across Sidney s chest for
comfort. Nash had ended up driving home on the back roads so he could go as slowly as he
needed.
Nash had told Sidney Jackson was moving to Colorado permanently right after he d
broken the news that Sidney owned the Running E. It was still a shock to Sidney, even two
days later. Sidney couldn t help but wonder why his mom had done it. Unbeknownst to
Nash, Sidney planned to find a way to change the will once again.
Despite being barely twenty-one, Sidney s close brush with death had him thinking. If
something had happened to him, it was important that the ranch be left in the hands of Nash,
not Jackson. He promised himself to remedy the situation as soon as he was physically able
to go into town.
Nash helped Sidney out of the truck. Spring in Kansas meant one thing, mud, and
Sidney wasted no time stepping into a deep puddle of it. He lifted his foot and lost his
sneaker in the process.  Great.
Nash picked Sidney up in his arms, taking care not to hurt Sidney any more than
necessary.  What about my shoe? Sidney asked, wincing as Nash s hold stretched his
stitches.
 I ll unbury it in a few minutes. Nash carried Sidney to the small front porch before
setting him on his feet. He unlocked and opened the door.  Home sweet home.
SPRING Carol Lynne
81 [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]